How many agams are there and are they available to be bought together ?
Answer
In Jain Dharma, the number of Agams depends on the Jain tradition:
- Śvetāmbara tradition: traditionally preserves 45 Agams.
- Digambara tradition: holds that the original Agams were eventually lost and does not accept the present Śvetāmbara Agams as the original canonical scriptures.
Yes, in the Śvetāmbara tradition, Agams are often available as a complete set, but availability depends on the publisher, language, script, and place.
Explanation
The Śvetāmbara Agam collection is commonly grouped into categories such as:
- Anga Agams
- Upanga Agams
- Cheda Sutras
- Mula Sutras
- Prakirnaka Sutras
- Chulika Sutras
These are usually published in Prakrit with translations or explanations in languages such as Gujarati, Hindi, or sometimes English.
Buying Them Together
A full set may be available through:
- Jain religious book publishers
- Jain libraries
- Śvetāmbara Jain sangh book centers
- Jain temple book stalls
- Institutions that publish Jain scriptures
If you want to buy them, it is best to ask specifically for a complete Śvetāmbara Jain Agam set and mention the language you want, such as Gujarati, Hindi, or English.
Spiritual Understanding
Agams are deeply respected because they preserve the teachings connected with Bhagwan Mahavir’s tradition. They are not just books for reading, but scriptures to be studied with humility, guidance, and right understanding.
Takeaway
The Śvetāmbara tradition commonly counts 45 Agams, and they may be available as a complete set, especially in Gujarati or Hindi, through Jain religious publishers and sangh book centers.