What are the 1444 texts
In Jain tradition, the “1444 texts” usually refers to the 1444 granths (prakaraṇas) that Acharya Haribhadrasuri is said to have written.
According to Śvetāmbara tradition:
- Acharya Haribhadrasuri planned to kill 1444 Buddhist teachers and students in revenge.
- Sādhvī Yakini Mahattarā stopped him and showed him that this was grave violence.
- As prāyaścitta (atonement), he instead composed 1444 books explaining Jain dharma, forgiveness, non‑violence, right faith, etc.
- Many of these works are now lost; only a small number (dozens, not 1444) survive or are clearly identifiable.
So, can we list all 1444 texts?
No. Today we do not have a complete, reliable list of all 1444 works. The number 1444 is preserved in the tradition as:
- A sign of his immense literary output, and
- A reminder of how anger was transformed into spirituality and scriptural wisdom.
Scholars and tradition can only list the better‑known surviving works, such as (just a few examples):
- Anekāntajayapatākā
- Ṣaḍdarśanasamuccaya
- Yogabindu, Yogaśataka, Yogadṛṣṭisamuccaya (yoga texts)
- Dharmabindu
- Samarāiccakahā (Samarāditya Kathā)
- Various commentaries on Āgamas (e.g. Daśavaikālika, Avasyaka, etc.)
For a simple traditional story of the 1444 books and Sādhvī Yakini Mahattarā, you can read here:
For a concise list of some main Haribhadrasuri granths (not all 1444), see: