Tattvartha Sutra That Which Is

Author(s): Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: Vinod Kapashi

Page 5

Tattvartha Sutra
Tattvartha Sutra
TATTVARTHASUTRA
INTRODUCTION
TATTVARTHASUTRA is one of the holy books for the people of Jain faith. Jains are largely divided into two main factions, One faction is called the Digambaras and the other is called the Shvetambaras. Followers of both sects accept this book as one of the representative books of the Jain religion. Tattvarthasutra or Tattvarthadhigamasutra as it is called by many scholars was written by a learned Jain monk called Umaswatiji.
Whether the author of the text was a follower of one tradition or the other (Shvetambara or Digambara) cannot be said with utmost certainty. However, both sects-Shvetambara and Digambara regard this text as a main source book of Jain philosophy. Shvetambaras refer to the author's name as Umaswatiji, whereas Digambaras refer to him as Umaswamiji. Sometimes a word, Vachak, is added as a prefix or suffix for great scholars who have mastered Jain scriptures. Likewise the author is sometimes mentioned as Vachak Umaswatiji (Ji is added at the end to show respect)
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