Contribution of the Jaina Logicians to Indian Epistemology

Summary

Jaina logicians developed a sophisticated epistemology that distinguishes between direct and indirect cognition (pratyakṣa and parokṣa) and emphasises the self‑evident nature of pramāṇa (valid cognition). This survey traces how canonical texts like the Tattvārthasūtra laid the groundwork and how commentators such as Umāsvāti, Pujyapada, Haribhadra-sūri and Akalaṅka refined classifications of knowledge. Jains broadened Indian logic by adding categories of empirical perception, recollection, recognition and inductive reasoning, elaborating subtypes of hetu (reasons) and coining new terms to capture relations like sāmānya and vinābhāva. Their non‑absolutist perspective enabled constructive dialogue with Buddhist and Nyāya systems. The article concludes that Jaina epistemological literature is invaluable because it presents opponents’ views fairly while advancing original theories.