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along with the basic principles of non-violence and ethical code of conduct, prescribed for Jaina monks and nuns. Its last chapter depicts a real picture of the ascetic life of Lord Mahāvīra. The 7th chapter of the first part is supposed to be lost after the composition of its Niryukti, i.e., c. 2nd 3rd A.D. The second part of Ācārārga is known as Ayāracūlā - an appendix. It mainly deals with the detailed rules and regulations or the code of conduct of Jaina monks and nuns along with some of the events of the life of Mahāvīra. Modern scholars opine that the second part of Ācārānga was composed during the c. 2nd-1" B.C. Another important canonical work of this era is Sūtrakrtānga dating 4ih-3rd century B.C. This work is also full of spiritual and moral preachings but its peculiarity lies in the presentation of different philosophical views prevalent in that particular era. Like Ācārānga, it also comprises two parts (Śrutaskandhas). Scholars are of the opinion that the second part of Sūtrakrtānga is somewhat posterior to the first.
The third important work in chronological order of the Jaina canonical literature is Isibhāsiyāim (Rşibhāṣitaṁ). All the scholars of Prakrit and Jainology: Western and Indian, consider it of c. 4th_3rd B.C. It marks the catholicity of early Jaina thinkers. It contains the ethical preachings as well as philosophical views of forty-five thinkers (Rşis). Out of these Nārada, Asitadevala, Angirasa, Pārāśara, Nārāyaṇa, Yājñyavalkya, Uddālaka, Vidura etc. definitely belong to Upanisadic tradition. Similarly Sariputta, Vajjiputta, Mahakasyapa etc. belong to Buddhist tradition while Pārśva and Vardhamāna belong to the Jaina tradition. A few others are of other independent Śramaņic tradition, not extant today. This work shows that in early period the Upanişadic and other Sramaņic traditions were tolerant as well as respectful to each other.
Uttarādhyayana and Daśavaikālika are other important works of this early phase. Uttarādhyayana contains thirty-six chapters, mainly dealing with the religious preachings as well as some
metaphysical doctrines of Jainism. Some chapters of this text are Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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