Jain literature and councils

Jain literature

Jain literature is classified into two major categories: 

1. Agam aur canonical literature (Agana sutras)

• Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the Jain religion.
• They are written in the ardha-magadhi, a form of Prakrit language.

2. Nan-Agam literature

• Nan-Agam literature consists of commentary and explanation of Agam literature and independent works compiled by ascetics and scholars.
• They are written in many languages Such as Prakrit, Sanskrit, apabhramsa, old Marathi ,Rajasthani, Gujarati ,Hindi ,Tamil, German and English.

Sacred literature written in Prakrit called Ardha-magadhi

• 12 Angad
• 12 upangas
• 10 parikrama
• 6 chhedasutras
• 4 mulasutras
• 2 sutra granthas
• 14 purvas/parvas- part of 12 Angas and oldest of mahaviras preachings.

Other important jain literature

• Kalpasutra (Sanskrit)- written by bhadrabahu.
• Bhadrabahu charita.
• Parishishta parvan- written by hemachandra.

Councils

First jain council

• The first council was held at pataliputra in 3rd century BC. Under patronage of Chandragupta Maurya and was presided by sthulabhadra.

Second Jain council

• It was held at vallabhi in 512 AD. And was presided by Devardhi kshmasramana.
• Final compilation of 12 Angas and 12 upangas.