Home > Society > Religion in India > Non-Canonical Jain Literature
Non-Canonical Jain Literature
Non-Canonical Jain Literature includes a vast section of literary works. Works on subjects like grammar, mathematics, politics, astronomy, geography and a lot more forms the basis of Non-Canonical Literature.

Share this Article:

Non-Canonical Jain LiteratureNon-Canonical Jain Literature is of prime importance to those who study Jainism and to those who are followers of Jainism. They are different from the Canonical Literature of the Jains. Works on grammar, lexicography, mathematics, politics, arts and science are part of the Non-Canonical Literature of the Jains. Non-Canonical Literature has been divided into Digambara texts and Swetambara texts.

Subjects of Non-Canonical Jain Literature
Theological and Scientific works also form an important part of the Non-Canonical Literature. Theological works of the Jains have explained the Karma theory and has also thrown light on various philosophical systems. Like Swetambaras, Digambaras have also worked with great enthusiasm in the field of dogmatism and the related disciplines. The numbers of scientific works written on Jain philosophy in modern Indian language are many.

Jain Sanskrit grammarians closely resemble the Brahmanic Grammar of Panini. The most famous are the so called "Jainendra Vyakarana" of Pujyapada Devanandi and "Sakatdyana Vyakarana" of Sakatayana. Since Prakrit language is also the language of the Jains, they have worked upon this subject also in other respects. They have also contributed excellently to the field of grammar of modern India. Jains have also made name by dictionaries and similar works.

Non-Canonical Jain LiteratureJains have also dealt with the theoretical foundations of poetry. Jains were active even in the field of music theory as is evident from Parsvadeva"s "Sangitasamayasara" and "Sangitaratnakara". Jain scholars have written separate books on politics and law for Jain kings. Besides, there are many works dealing with cosmography, geography and astronomy treating these subjects briefly or extensively. Bhadrabahu and Kalalkacharya among others are considered as great authorities in the field of astronomy. Knowledge of Mathematics was also an important aspect of the Jains. The doctrine of atoms and living beings was several times depicted by theologians and philosophers. There are detailed references on temple structure and production of cult images in the textbooks on rituals. It can be presumed that Jains wrote works on architecture and sculpture.

A vastness of work in Jain literature makes it evident that Jains were literarily active in several fields and there was hardly any realm of Indian culture in which the Jains have not worked.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.
Iyer Brahmin
Iyer Brahmins are originally from Tamil Nadu of South India. The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences.
Barai Caste
Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste.
Dangi Caste
Dangi Caste is largely distributed in the high land regions, and the word Dangi is said to have originated from the geographical features of their territory. Main occupation of the members of Dangi Caste is cultivation.
Nadar Caste
One of the most renowned castes of Tamil Nadu is the Nadar caste. The Nadar community is a mixture of sub-castes and classes of different origins, which came under one banner of Nadar caste gradually.
Kumbhakar Caste
Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels.
Gujjars in Maharashtra
Gujjars in Maharashtra have several sub-castes. Here, in this state the Gurjars are listed as a separate caste. They are included in the Maharashtra OBC list.
Awasthi Brahmin
Awasthi is a surname or a family name of a particular sub-caste of Brahmins in the Indian continent.
Bhoyar Caste
Bhoyar Caste is largely found in the Central Provinces of the country. Traditional occupation of Bhoyars is agriculture. They are good cultivators and mostly grow sugarcane.
Gujjars in Mughal Era
Gujjars in the Mughal era enjoyed great power. Further their power increased with the decline of Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor.
Origin of Vaishnavism
Origin of Vaishnavism shares its attributes to many sources and religious evolution, dating back to pre-Vedic epoch.