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The Samkhya-Yoga and the Jain Theories of Parinam a
There being thus two opposite traditions regarding the Jain canon, we have to take note of the views of modern scholars who have critically examined the whole question as to the authenticity and antiquity of the Jain canon.
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It is noteworthy that the result of recent researches of Jacobi inclines more towards the tradition of the Svetämbaras. In his opinion which is also endorsed by Dr. Charpentier,1 the Svetambara tradition regarding the Jain canon cannot be regarded as wholly without any historical foundation. Of course all the works comprising the present canon do not belong to the same period but are of different origin and age. Of the 45 texts mentioned above, the eleven Angas which are said to have been compiled by Mahavira's pupils are undoubtedly the oldest part of the canon-which is assigned to the end of the 4th cent. B. C. or the beginning of the 3rd cent. B. C., by Jacobi and others on a consideration of language and metre on the one hand and comparison with the oldest Buddhist Pali works on the other.13 It should be noted that when the Angas are said to be the oldest, that should not be taken to mean that the form in which they have come down to us is the same as it was at the time of their origin. Not only the passing of time but the traditional reliance upon memory rather than upon written documents made some additions, omissions and alterations inevitable. What is however contended is that they adequately preserve the oldest portions too.
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13.
the fourteen Purvas and eleven Angas. They relate however that not only was the knowledge of the fourteen Purvas lost at an early period but that as early as 436 years after Mahavira's Nirvana, the last who knew the eleven Angas died and the teachers who succeeded him knew less and less Angas as time went on until the knowledge of these works was completely lost 683 years after Mahavira's death."
"History of Indian Literature" by M. Winternit, Vol IL p. 432-433.
The Uttaradhyayanasutra Introduction p. 31.
SBE, Vol. XXII, p. xliii (Introduction).
