Canonical Literature of Digambaras

Digambara sect does not possess any old canon because they believe that the old canon was lost and the canon of Swetambaras is not genuine. On the other hand there are several references to the compilations and contents of the lost Holy Scriptures in the workers of Digambaras. The titles of the books mention in their enumerations agree partially with those of the work of the present Swetambara canon; also what is said about the contents is partially identical with the actual contents of there Swetambara-works, but there are crass differences in many cases.

The works of the canon are divided in two groups, viz., "Angas" and "Angabahyas"

(i) Angas
The Angas have the same names as those of Swetambaras. There is a significant difference with respect to the contents of the 12th Anga.
The 5 Parikarmas
1. Chandra-prajnapti deals with the moon.
2. Surya-prajnapti deals with the sun.
3. jambudwipa-prajnapti deals with the continent Jambudwipa.
4. Dwipa-sagara-prajnapti deals with the continents and oceans
5. Vyakhya-prajnapti deals with the basic truths: soul, non-soul, etc.

5 Chulikas
1. Jalagata-chulika teaches how one can stop water with the help of magic mantras, etc., go through water, devour fire and do other things.
2. Sthalagata-chulika teaches how one can go to different lands with the help of magic.
3. Mayagata-chulika teaches how one can accomplish all sorts of miracles.
4. Rupagata-chulika teaches how one can assume the form of a lion, an elephant and other animals and how one can metamorphose plants and metals into other forms.
5. Akasagata-chulika teaches how one can fly through the space.

As it can be seen, some works of astronomical and geographical nature are listed as belonging to the Parikarmas; Swetambaras include them among the Uparigas. Digambaras do not include the Uparigas in the list of canonical works.

(ii) The Angabahyas
The Arigabahyas are divided into the following Prakirnakas:
1. Samayika deals with types of devotion.
2. Chaturvimsatistava deals with the life of the Tirthankaras, their powers, attributes, etc.
3 Vandana deals with the cult of the temple
4. Pratikarma deals with confession.
5. Vinaya deals with upbringing.
6. Krtikarma deals with the worship to be made to the Jains, etc
7. Dasavaikalika gives the rules for the life of an ascetic.
8. Uttaradhyana deals with troubles and disturbances in life of an ascetic, etc.
9. Kalpavyavahara (samjnaka) contains precepts for discipline.
10. Kalpakalpa deals with a monk.
11. Mahakalpa (sarhjriaka) deals with the rules and particular jaina-kalpis and Sthavirakalpis (i.e., of independent monks and members of the order).
12. Pundarika deals with actions which justify rebirth in the heaven of gods.
13. Pundarika deals with actions which cause a rebirth Indra, etc.
14. Nisiddhika deals with the means used for the purification soul from mistakes

Modern Secondary Canon
A series of works which are regarded as authoritative accounts of the doctrine take place among Digambaras position of the lost old canon. These works are distinguished in four groups, depending upon the subject like history, cosmography, philosophy and ethics they deal with. These four groups are given the name "four Vedas" by Digambaras.