Jain Scriptures (Ägam Literature)
An Interactive Study Guide for Section L.2 of JAB Manual
What are Jain Scriptures?
Jain scriptures are called Ägam Literature. They are not a single book like in some other religions, but a collection of many texts. These texts contain the teachings of Bhagawän Mahävir, which were delivered in the Ardha-Mägadhi language about 2600 years ago.
His chief disciples, known as Ganadhars, compiled the essence of his sermons into texts called Sutras. For a long time, this knowledge was passed down orally by monks who memorized everything.
Core Teachings in the Ägams:
- Anekäntaväd: The principle of seeing truth from many viewpoints.
- Ahimsa: Non-violence and reverence for all forms of life.
- Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness and limiting one's desires.
- Karma Theory: The law of cause and effect.
- Codes of conduct for both monks and householders.
Classification of Jain Ägam Literature
Jain scriptures are broadly divided into two main categories. This chart shows the high-level structure recognized by the Shvetämbar tradition.
1. Anga-pravishtha Ägam
Main texts compiled by the Ganadhars.
Total: 12 Ägams
Only 11 are available today. The 12th, Drashtiväd, is considered lost by all traditions.
2. Anga-bähya Ägam
Explanations and secondary texts composed by elder monks (Sthavirs).
Sub-categories (Shvetämbar Murtipujak):
- Upänga Ägam (12)
- Chheda-sutra (6)
- Mool-sutra (4)
- Chulikä-sutra (2)
- Prakirna-sutra (10)
Digambar Tradition Viewpoint
The Digambar tradition believes that all original Ägam Sutras were lost over time. They follow later scriptures written by great Ächäryas like Kundkund and Umäsväti, which are based on the original teachings.
Key Figures in Preserving Knowledge
After Bhagawän Mahävir, a lineage of brilliant Ächäryas memorized and passed on the scriptures. Here are the three main types of masters.
These masters had attained perfect, complete knowledge (Keval-jnän), just like the Tirthankars.
- Gautam-swämi (Digambar tradition)
- Sudharmä-swämi
- Jambu-swämi (The last Keval-jnäni)
These masters knew all 12 Angas and 14 Purvas by heart. They were the bridge after the Keval-jnänis.
- Bhadrabähu: A very important Shrut-kevali. He knew the entire Drashtiväd. He led a migration to the south during a famine.
- Sambhutivijay
- Yashobhadra
As time passed, memorization became harder. These Ächäryas knew 11 Angas and the first 10 Purvas.
- Ärya Sthulibhadra: He was a disciple of Ächärya Bhadrabähu and led the first council at Pätliputra to consolidate the scriptures after the famine.
The Three Recensions (Vächanäs)
Over the centuries, as memorizing the vast scriptures became difficult, Jain Ächäryas held three major councils, or "Recensions," to preserve and document the sacred knowledge.
This council was called to organize the scriptures after a major famine disrupted the oral tradition.
- When: Approx. 367 BC. (After 160 years of Bhagwan Mahavir's Nirvan)
- Leading Ächärya: Ächärya Sthulibhadra.
- Main Outcome: The monks gathered and recalled eleven of the twelve Anga Ägams. The 12th Anga, Drashtiväd, could not be fully recalled. No documentation occurred yet.
Hundreds of years later, two separate councils were held around the same time to address variations that had crept into the oral traditions.
- When: Approx. 303 AD.(After 830 years of Bhagwan Mahavir's Nirvan)
- Leading Ächäryas: Ärya Skandil in Mathurä and Ächärya Nägärjun in Vallabhi.
- Main Outcome: The versions of the scriptures were collected, arranged, and corrected. This was a crucial step towards writing them down.
This was the final and most important council, where the Jain Ägams were documented in written form on palm leaves (Tädpatris) for the first time.
- When: Approx. 453 AD.(After 980 years of Bhagwan Mahavir's Nirvan)
- Leading Ächärya: Kshamä-shraman Devarddhigani.
- Main Outcome: All available scriptures were documented to bring uniformity. Importantly, where differences in readings still existed, they were documented as commentaries known as Churni and Tikä.
Interactive Scripture Classifications
Click on the `[+]` or `[-]` icons to expand and collapse the categories. Hover over a name to see its description. This helps visualize how everything is connected.
Shvetämbar Ägam Classification
The 14 Purvas
Part of the lost 12th Anga (Drashtiväd), this was the most ancient and profound knowledge.
Group 1: Foundational Concepts (Purvas 1-4)
Think of these as the basic building blocks of Jain philosophy.
- Utpād Purva: On the **U**niverse of living (Jiva) and non-living (Ajiva).
- Agrāyanīya Purva: On **A**ll **G**reat **R**ealities (Navatattva) and Substances.
- Vīrya-pravād Purva: On the **V**ital **E**nergy of the soul and non-living.
- Astināsti-pravād Purva: On **A**ll **S**ides of the **T**ruth (Anekāntavāda).
Story (as mnemonic guide): "The **U**niverse contains **A**ll **G**reat **R**ealities, powered by **V**ital **E**nergy, which must be seen from **A**ll **S**ides of the **T**ruth."
Group 2: The Path of Knowledge & Conduct (Purvas 5-9)
This is the 'how-to' guide for a soul seeking liberation.
- Jnān-pravād Purva: On the 5 types of **Kn**owledge (sounds like Jnān).
- Satya-pravād Purva: On **S**peaking the **T**ruth and practicing restraint.
- Ātma-pravād Purva: On **A**nalyzing **T**he **M**any **A**spects of the soul.
- Karma-pravād Purva: On the workings of **Karma**.
- Pratyākhyān-pravād Purva: On **P**racticing **R**enunciation and giving things up.
Story (as mnemonic guide): "With proper **Kn**owledge, you can speak the **T**ruth, **A**nalyze the **S**oul, understand **K**arma, and **P**ractice **R**enunciation."
Group 3: Special Abilities & Worldly Knowledge (Purvas 10-14)
These cover advanced spiritual topics and knowledge of the world.
- Vidyā-pravād Purva: On attaining expertise and special **V**arious **I**ntellectual **D**isciplines (Vidyā).
- Kalyān-pravād Purva: On spiritual welfare (**Kalyān**), alertness, and avoiding laziness.
- Prānāvāy Purva: On life substances (**Prāna**) and life spans.
- Kriyā-vishāl Purva: On worldly skills and **Cr**eative **A**rts (Kriyā).
- Loka-bindusār Purva: On the **L**ayout of the **B**oundless **S**pace (Loka).
Story (as mnemonic guide): "Master **V**arious **D**isciplines for your **K**alyān, understand **P**rāna, learn the **C**reative **A**rts, and know the **L**ayout of the **U**niverse."
Main Literature in Digambar
Since original Ägams were considered lost, Digambars follow literature written by later great Ächäryas.
Memorizing the 14 Anga-bāhya Āgams (as per Digambar)
The key is to group the 14 Āgams by theme. Think of it as a story in three parts: Daily Devotion, Monastic Conduct, and Karmic Consequences.
Group 1: The Six Acts of Daily Worship (Āgams 1-6)
Imagine a devotee's daily spiritual routine.
- Sāmāyik: Start with **S**erenity (equanimity).
- Chaturvimshati-Stava: **C**heer the 24 Tirthankars.
- Vandanā: **V**isit one Tirthankar for worship.
- Pratikraman: **P**urify through repentance.
- Vainayiks: Show **V**eneration and respect.
- Kritikarma: Complete your sacred **K**arma (duties).
Mnemonic Phrase: "**S**erene **C**heering, **V**isits, **P**urification, **V**eneration & **K**arma."
Group 2: The Five Rules of Monastic Life (Āgams 7-11)
Now, picture the specific life of a monk.
- Desävakäsik: Rules for accepting **D**onated food.
- Uttarādhyayan: **U**nderstanding and tolerating hardships.
- Kalpa-Vyavahār: Correct **K**onduct and repentance.
- Kalpakalpik: Appropriate **K**onduct for the situation.
- Mahākalpik: **M**onastic activity based on body/time.
Mnemonic Phrase: "**D**onations **U**ndergo **K**ind, **K**nowledgeable, & **M**indful conduct."
Group 3: The Three Consequences & Atonements (Āgams 12-14)
Finally, consider the results of one's actions.
- Pundarik: **P**ious deeds lead to heavens.
- Mahā-Pundarik: **M**ighty penance leads to Indra's heaven.
- Nisithik: **N**ecessary atonement for faults.
Mnemonic Phrase: "**P**ious and **M**ighty deeds still require **N**ecessary atonement."
Key Timeline of Jain Literature
A timeline of some of the most important events in the compilation and creation of Jain scriptures.
~367 BC
First Recension held at Pätliputra, led by Ächärya Sthulibhadra to compile 11 Angas orally.
~100 AD
Ächärya Kundkund writes key Digambar texts like Samaysär and Pravachansär.
~160 AD
Ächäryas Pushpadanta and Bhutabali write Shatakhandägam, a main Digambar text.
~200-400 AD
Ächärya Umäsväti composes the Tattvärtha Sutra, the first Jain scripture in Sanskrit, accepted by all sects.
~303 AD
Second Recension takes place simultaneously in Mathurä and Vallabhi.
~453 AD
Third and final Recension held in Vallabhi, led by Devarddhigani Kshamä-shraman. Scriptures are written down for the first time.
~780 AD
Ächärya Virsen and Jinsen write the Dhavalä and Jayadhavalä commentaries on the Digambar scriptures.
1974 AD
Saman-Suttam is created, a compilation of essential principles from all Jain traditions for the 2500th Nirväna anniversary of Bhagawän Mahävir.
Visual Word Clouds
These word clouds highlight the key names that appear frequently in the study of Jain literature. Bigger words signify greater importance or frequency in the texts.
Important Ächäryas
Scriptures & Sutras
Spotlight on Sacred Books
While there are thousands of texts, some are particularly revered and studied today. Here are a few important ones.
Tattvärtha Sutra
By Ächärya Umäsväti
This is the most important Jain text today, accepted by ALL Jain traditions (Shvetämbar and Digambar). It's unique because it was written in Sanskrit and summarizes the entire Jain philosophy in a series of short, powerful aphorisms (sutras). Its first sutra is the famous: "Samyag-darshan-jnän-chäriträni Moksh Märgah" (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct collectively are the path to liberation).
Uttarädhyayan Sutra
Ägam Literature (Mool Sutra)
This scripture is considered to contain the last sermons of Bhagawän Mahävir. It's highly respected and often compared to the Gitä in Hinduism or the Dhammapada in Buddhism. It uses stories, dialogues, and examples to teach about ascetic life, karma, and religious principles.
Kalpa Sutra
Ägam Literature (part of Chheda Sutra)
Composed by Ächärya Bhadrabähu, this is one of the most revered scriptures for Shvetämbars. It is famously recited during the Paryushan festival. It contains biographies of the Tirthankars, especially Bhagawän Mahävir, including the 14 dreams of his mother, Queen Trishalä.
Samaysär
By Ächärya Kundkund
This is a highly sacred text for the Digambar tradition. Written around 100 AD, it focuses on the true nature of the soul (Ätmä) from the absolute point of view (Nishchay Naya). It explains that the soul is pure, and liberation comes from self-realization and effort.
Part 1: Main Literature in Digambar
Interactive Mind Map
Click on the topics to expand and see the details.
Main Texts & Commentaries
Shatakhandāgam: First Main Text
- Dhavalā-tikā: Commentary on Vol. 1-5
- Mahā-dhavalā-tikā: Commentary on Vol. 6
Kashāya Pāhuda: Second Main Text
- Jayadhavalā-tikā: Commentary
The Four Anuyogs (Expositions)
Flashcard Deck
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