Background
Unlike most common monotheistic religions, Jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. The holy teachers are called the Jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all Jains, especially the Jina Mahavira. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of Jainism, Svetambara and Digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. The Svetambaras believe that the collection of 32 (or 45, the number is disputed) Agamas (holy scriptures) are the first and foremost of all holy texts. However, the Digambaras have different views, due to the fact that they believe the Agamas are skewed due to poor memorization etc. They believe that only two texts fully preserve parts of the Purvas, or teachings of the Jinas. These two texts are called the Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama and the Kaṣāya-prābhŗta. However, there is one scripture that both sects believe to be holy. This text is called the Tattvartha-sutra. Even though the two sects have different composition dates and slightly different versions, this text contains the main doctrines of the Jain faith. |
Change Over Time
However, it is suspected that both religious texts have been skewed over time. Famine, disease, invasion and other disasters have caused many of the original texts to be lost. This is where the conflict of text importance comes into play. Additionally, overtime, monks and nuns could have potentially misremembered the texts, causing them to be changed overtime. However, in recent years, important monks have been able to access the scriptures, eliminating the chance of loss of the texts from happening again. Whether they have access to the textual material through which the Jinas’ teaching came to be handed down or not, all Jains are aware of the existence of their holy writings. These writings are the basis of their ritual and religious life and are venerated in various ways. There are often found in temple, inscribed on the walls or in textual form where Jains can pray to them. In festivals, they are often in book form, representing knowledge and physical objects. |