Source Book in Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Devendramuni
Publisher: Tarak Guru Jain Granthalay

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A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
Pramāṇaśāstra became an important subject. In this age Jaina ācāryas turned their attention from discussion of anekanta to the pramāṇaśāstra. In Indian philosophy we find the influence of rigorous logical discussions of Dignaga on the pramāṇaśāstra and Nyāyaśāstra. Dignaga provided inspiration to the development of Indian logic. He was the interpreter of a very strong and systematic theory of logic and pramāṇaśāstra. Dignaga was the father of the pramāṇaśāstra and Dharmakirti is to be considered as the promoter of Indian logic. The intense and rapid development of logical thought due to the inspiration of Dignāga had its influence on the development of logic in other Darsanas also. In the Vedic tradition, eminent logicians like Vyomaśiva, Jayanta, Udyotakara and Kumārila helped the development of logic in a systematic way. During this period (i.e., 8th and 9th centuries A. D.) there were many Jaina ācāryas who were great logicians. Among them may be mentioned, the names of Haribhadra and Akalanka. Haribhadra did not write any independent work on Pramāṇaśāstra. However his works, Anekānta Jayapatākā, Śāstravārtāsamuccaya and Şaḍdarśanasamuccaya influenced the development of Jaina logic to a great extent. Akalanka has given an eloborate and critical discussion of Jaina logic and metaphysics in his works Pramāṇasangraha, Nyāya-viniścaya and Laghiyastraya. Vidyanandi wrote a commentary entitled Aṣṭasahasrī, on the work Aşṭašati of Akalanka which was a commentary on Aptamīmāṁsā of Samantabhadra. By this work Vidyanandi gave a firm status to the Jaina pramāṇaśāstra. During this period Prabhacandra wrote Prameyakamalamārtaṇḍa and Nyāya-kumudacandra. These works give an elaborate and critical discussion of the Jaina pramāṇaśāstra. Vædidevasuri wrote a commentary on his own work Pramāṇatattvanayāloka. This commentary is called Syādvādaratnākara and it is really a crest jewel (ratnākara) of Jaina logic. It gives a comprehensive view of Jaina logic. Ratnaprabhasūri, disciple of Vadidevasūri, has written Ratnakarāvatārikā and in this work he has given the salient features of the problems discussed in Syādvādaratnākara. Acarya Hemacandra has made a unique contribution by his book Pramāṇamīmāṁsā. Similarly, Mallisena's Syādvādamanjarī is a significant contribution to Jaina logic of this age. All these ācāryas have given an able and logical refutation of the Dignaga's position concerning Jaina logic. The special feature of the writers of this age is to be found in their twofold object-(i) refutation of the rival schools of thought; and