Digambara Jain Literature

Digambara Jain Literature

Digambara Jain Literature followed by the Digambaras consists of 25 Agam-sutras that have been compiled from the teachings of Lord Mahavira. These are established on original Agam Sutras.

The Digambara Jain Literature followed by the Digambara sect believes that there were 25 Agam-sutras (11 Ang-agams and 14 Ang-bahya-agams) that have been compiled from the original preaching of Lord Mahavira. However, all his preaching was gradually lost starting about two hundred years after Lord Mahavira's enlightenment or nirvana. Hence the existing Agam-sutras have been duly accepted by the Shvetambara Sect but they have not been accepted by the Digambara sect as authentic Holy Scriptures.

Thus, in the absence of authentic Holy Scriptures, the Digambara Sect has accepted the following literature as the basis for their religious practice. These Holy Scriptures were written by the great Acharyas or scholars from 100 to 800 AD. These Holy Scriptures have been established on the original Agam Sutras.

Two Main Texts are:
* Shatkhand-agam
* Kashay-pahud

The Four Anuyogas of the Digambara Sect are:
* Pratham-anuyoga (Dharma-kath-anuyoga) - Religiou Stories
* Charn-anuyoga - Conduct
* Karan-anuyoga (Ganit-anuyoga) - Description of the Cosmos
* Dravy-anuyoga - Philosophy

Shatkhand-agam
Shatkhand-agam is one of the holy scriptures of the Digambara Sect. This Holy Scripture is also known as Maha-kammapayadi-pahuda or Maha-karma-prabhrut. It was written by two Acharyas; namely Pushpadant and Bhutabali around 160 AD. The second Purva-agam named Agraya-niya was utilised as the basis for this scripture. The scripture contains six volumes. Around 780 AD Acharya Virsen wrote two commentary texts, known as Dhaval-tika on the first five volumes and Maha-dhaval-tika on the sixth volume of this scripture.

Kashay-pahud
Kashay-pahud is another holy scripture of the Digambara Sect. This scripture was written by Acharya Gunadhara. The fifth Purva-agam named Gyan-pravad was used as a basis for this scripture. Around 780 AD Acharya Virsen and his disciple, Jinsen, wrote a commentary text known as Jaya-dhaval-tika around.

Four Anuyogas
The four Anuyogas have been described below:

Pratham-anuyoga (Dharma-kath-anuyoga) - Religious Stories. This anuyoga consists of the following texts that contain religious stories, art, literature, history, poetry, and literature.

Charn-anuyoga - Conduct. This anuyoga consists of the following texts which include tenets of observances, conduct, behaviour, and literature.

Karan-anuyoga (Ganit-anuyog) - Description of the Cosmos This anuyoga consists of the following texts which contain geography, mathematics, astronomy, astrology, and literature.

Dravy-anuyog - Philosophy. This anuyoga consists of the following texts which contain philosophical doctrine, theories, Tattvagyan, and literature.

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