Jain Knowledge
Menu
  • JainGPT
  • Jain Directory
    • Jain Tirthsthaans
    • Jain Sangeetkars
    • Jain Pandits
    • Jain Acharya
    • Jain Businessman
  • Jain Media
    • Jain Stavan
    • Jain Pachkhan
    • Jain Stories
    • Jain Sutras
    • Jain Facts / Concepts
  • Advertise with us
Jain Knowledge
login Register

Get In Touch

phone
info@jainknowledge.com

online support

phone
Mumbai

India

  • Home
  • Jain Questions
  • classify agams in various possible ways ?
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    classify agams in various possible ways ?

    11 months ago 78

    Here is a simple, practical way to classify Agams (Jain scriptures) in different schemes. Note that exact lists can vary between Digambara and Śvetāmbara traditions.

    1) By tradition (who accepts them as Agama)

    • Śvetāmbara tradition: Generally maintains a larger corpus of Agama literature, including many works grouped into Anga, Upanga, etc., with detailed biographies, cosmology, and ethics.
    • Digambara tradition: Some texts are treated as Agama, while others are considered partly or wholly later commentaries or lost/remeasured; overall, they have a distinct set of canonical works and a different organization.

    2) By core content or topic

    • Ethical conduct and discipline (Śrāvakācāra, laynchrony of conduct, vows, penance, karmic theory)
    • Monastic rules and disciplines (various Śrāvaka/śramaṇa rules, vihāra, ascetic practices)
    • Cosmology and astronomy (models of loka, hells, heavens, time cycles)
    • Philosophicaldoctrines (nyāya/valid cognition, standpoints on karma, guṇas, ajñāna, anantan̄kā)
    • biographies and hagiography (lives of Tirthankaras and eminent monks)
    • Rituals, festivals, and temple practices (puja, bhakti, commemorations)
    • Commentaries and exegetical works (explanations of earlier texts)

    3) By structure or literary form

    • Sutras (discourses attributed to Tirthankaras or their successors)
    • Smṛti and bhāṣā (commentaries, glosses, expositions)
    • Biographical/Itihāsa texts (life stories, lineage accounts)
    • Prakrit/Sanskrit compositions and later Prakrit elaborations
    • Doctrinal treatises (systematic presentations of Jain philosophy)

    4) By time of composition or compilation

    • Early canonical strata (often considered the original teachings in ancient language)
    • Middle/late agamic writings (scholarly expansions, commentaries, and organizing works)
    • Later sectarian compilations (texts that reflect specific monastic orders or regional traditions)

    5) By linguistic medium

    • Prakrit-language texts (most classical Agama material)
    • Sanskrit-language works (doctrinal and commentarial traditions in Sanskrit in some lineages)
    • Other regional Prakrits or vernacular retellings in later periods

    6) By authorship claim

    • Attributed to Tirthankaras or their close disciples (authoritative discourses)
    • Attributed to principal monks or mythic teachers in the Jain sangha (later compilations)
    • Anonymous or traditional compendia (collected from various teaching sessions)

    7) By canonical status (shared vs contested between traditions)

    • Canonical Agama texts (widely accepted in a tradition)
    • Semi-canonical or contested texts (admired or used but with debate about their status)
    • Later commentaries or compendia (used for study but not treated as primary Agama in some schools)

    If you want, I can tailor these classifications to a specific tradition (Śvetāmbara or Digambara) and list representative texts under each category.

    About Jain Knowledge

    JainGPT by JainKnowledge.com is India’s first AI-powered platform dedicated entirely to Jainism. Here, you can ask any question related to Jain Dharma — from rituals and history to philosophy and daily practices — and receive instant, accurate answers rooted in Jain principles.

    Our mission is to make Jain knowledge accessible to all, especially the next generation, through the power of technology. Whether you're a curious student or a lifelong seeker, JainGPT is your trusted digital guide for all things Jain.

    Authentic Jain knowledge, made simple and accessible for every generation.
    Follow Us
    Facebook ↗ Instagram ↗

    Stay connected for Jain knowledge, insights and community updates.

    Jain Knowledge

    JainGPT by JainKnowledge.com is India’s first AI-powered platform dedicated entirely to Jainism. Ask questions related to Jain Dharma, rituals, history, philosophy and daily practices, and receive answers rooted in Jain principles.

    Explore
    • JainGPT
    • Jain Directory
    • Jain Media
    • Advertise With Us
    • Disclaimer
    Our Mission

    Our mission is to make Jain knowledge accessible to all, especially the next generation, through the power of technology. Whether you're a curious student or a lifelong seeker, JainGPT is your trusted digital guide for all things Jain.

    info@jainknowledge.com Online support
    Mumbai India

    Copyright © 2026 Jain Knowledge

    Created by Katalyst Corp.