Studies in Jainism

Author(s): Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
Publisher: Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta

Page 79

LITERATURE OF JAINISM
JAINA
AINA literature begins with the last of the Tirthankaras," Mahavira (c. 599-527 B.C.), who reorganized the old Nirgrantha sect and revitalized its moral and religious zeal and activities. He preached his faith of ahimsa (non-violence or harmlessness) and self-purification to the people in their own language which was not Sanskrit, but Prakrit. The form of Prakrit which he is said to have used was Ardha-Magadhi, by which was meant a language that was not pure Magadhi but partook of its nature.
TWELVE ANGAS
Mahāvira's teachings were arranged in twelve Angas (parts) by his disciples. These Angas formed the earliest literature on Jainism, and were as follows:
1.
1. Acaranga laid down rules of discipline for the monks. 2. Sūtrakṛtānga contained further injunctions for the monks regarding what was suitable or unsuitable for them and how they should safeguard their vows. It also gave an exposition of the tenets and dogmas of other faiths.
3. Sthānanga listed in numerical order, categories of knowledge pertaining to the realities of nature.
4. Samavāyānga classified objects in accordance with similarities of time, place, number, and so on.
5. Vyakhya-prajñapti or Bhagavat explained the realities of life and nature in the form of a catechism.
Jainism admits twenty-four Tirthankaras who were responsible from period to period for the promulgation of religion or dharma. The twenty-third Tirthankara was Parsvanatha whose historicity is now accepted. Mahāvīra whom Buddhist texts mention as Nigantha Nataputta, was a senior contemporary of Buddha (c. 535-486 B.C.). He came from a ruling clan and was related to the royal families of Magadha.