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  • Types of aagam
  • author Posted by
    Jain Follower

    Types of aagam

    5 months ago 135

    In Jainism, “Āgam” (Āgama) means the canonical scriptures – the teachings of Bhagwān Mahāvīr as preserved in the tradition.

    When we say “types of Āgam,” usually we mean their main groups (especially in the Śvetāmbara tradition):

    1) Aṅga Āgams - 11 main scriptures (Aṅga) that form the core canon. - They contain conduct of sadhus–sādhvīs, philosophy, stories, questions–answers, etc.

    2) Upāṅga Āgams - 12 secondary texts. - Explain and expand the Aṅgas – cosmology, karma, vows, stories, etc.

    3) Cheda-sūtras - 6 texts. - Deal with rules, discipline, and penalties for monks and nuns (monastic code).

    4) Mūla-sūtras - 4 fundamental texts. - Basic essential study for beginners among monks/nuns (like Daśavaikālika, Uttarādhyayana, Āvaśyaka, etc.).

    5) Cūlikā-sūtras - 2 texts (Nandi and Anuyogadvāra). - Work like “appendix/introductory” texts, helping to understand other scriptures and types of teachings.

    6) Prakīrṇaka-sūtras - 10 short, miscellaneous texts. - On specific topics like four refuges, renunciation, praise of Tirthankars, etc.

    So, in the Śvetāmbara view, the 45 Āgams are grouped as:

    • 11 Aṅga
    • 12 Upāṅga
    • 6 Cheda-sūtra
    • 4 Mūla-sūtra
    • 2 Cūlikā-sūtra
    • 10 Prakīrṇaka-sūtra ( jainknowledge.com)

    Digambar view: Digambar Jains believe the original Āgams were lost with time, so they do not accept the present Śvetāmbara Āgam texts as fully authentic. Instead, they follow later authoritative works like Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama, Kaṣāyapāhuda, etc., based on the same teachings of the Tirthankars. ( jainknowledge.com)

    For a simple list and explanation of all Āgams, you can read more here:

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