Sacred Literature of the Jains

Summary

The article titled 'Sacred Literature of the Jains' is a scholarly exposition on the structure and significance of the Jain canon. Drawing on both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions, the author outlines the traditional division of the Jain scriptures into several categories. The eleven āgamas or aṅgas form the core canonical works and are described in terms of their doctrinal focus and didactic purpose, ranging from universal history and cosmography to rules for ascetics. The upāṅgas are auxiliary texts that elaborate on subjects touched on in the aṅgas; they include works on astronomy, cycles of time, geography, ethics and stories illustrating karma. The author also discusses other groups of texts such as the mūlasūtras, which function as beginners’ manuals for monks; the chedasūtras, which lay out disciplinary codes; and the cūlikāsūtras and prakīrṇakas, which cover topics like meditation, rituals and philosophical catechisms. Each group of literature is related to its historical context, revealing how the Jain community organised its teachings for pedagogy and preservation. The article situates the Jain textual tradition within the broader Indian scholastic milieu, comparing meters and narratives with Brahmanical and Buddhist works. There is also a discussion of how commentarial traditions, genealogical records and lists of heterodox sects provide insight into the intellectual climate in which these texts were transmitted. Through close reading of commentaries and references in other works, the author traces the gradual compilation of canon lists and the role of monastic councils in standardising the scripture. In doing so, the article highlights the complex interplay between oral tradition and written redaction. Overall, the piece offers an accessible yet comprehensive overview of Jain scriptural categories and underscores their importance for understanding the philosophy, cosmology and ritual life of Jain communities. By documenting the contents and purposes of these texts, the author preserves knowledge of a literary heritage that has shaped Jain thought for centuries.