Schools and Sects in Jaina Literature

📖 The Scoop

This work includes the literature of Svetambara and Digambara Jainas that has been favourable to the growth of religion and philosophies.

The doctrines of the Ajiviyas are the best known heresy to the Nirgranthas. Judging from the frequency of their appearance and the vehemence with care, the author has found that the doctrines of the Ajiviyas played an important role in the life of the Jainas.

About the cult of popular Brahmanism, the author has found many references in Jaina literature that have root basis of different schools such as Samkhya and Yoga, Sasvatavadins, Puranists, the Upanisads and minor schools. The Madhyamika schools of the Buddhists and the popular Malayavada which arose as an offshoot of Vedanta owe their origin probably to this school which is met here in the literature of the Jainas for the first time in the history of Indian philosophical thought.

The philosophy of the Nastikas or those who deny the existence of the soul was well-known to the Jainas. There is a reference to those who ignore and deny the tenets of the Nirgranthas which Silanka understands as an allusion to the Buddhists and the followers of Brhaspati, the latter being a well-known school of the Nastikas.

The philosophical schools mentioned in the Jaina canonical literature were comprehended by Mahavira under heads such as Kriyavada, Akriyavada, Ajnanavada and Vinayavada. Kriya admits the existence of Jiva called Kriyavada, while Akriyavada denies the existence of the soul. The Ajnanavadins deny the necessity or importance of knowledge whereas the Vinayavadins do not accept signs, external rules of ceremony, and scriptures but uphold the supremacy of reference as the cardinal virtue leading to perfection.

Besides the philosophical schools, the literature of the Jainas has included interesting information regarding various kinds of religious sects, schismatic schools among Nirgranthas and their criticism.

Genre: Religion / Jainism (fancy, right?)