Answer

In Jain Dharma, Agams are the sacred scriptures that preserve the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir through the tradition of Ganadhars and Acharyas.

The word Agam means:

• That which has come down through tradition
• Sacred knowledge received from the Tirthankar’s teachings

Different Jain traditions classify Agams differently. The list below mainly follows the commonly known Śvetāmbara Jain tradition.

Main Types of Jain Agams

1. Ang Agams

Meaning: “Limbs” or main divisions of scripture.

These are considered the principal Agams. Traditionally there are 12 Angas, but the 12th, Drashtivad, is considered lost in the present time.

Examples include:

• Acharanga Sutra – Scripture on conduct and discipline
• Sutrakritanga Sutra – Scripture refuting wrong beliefs and explaining right doctrine
• Sthananga Sutra – Scripture arranged by numerical categories
• Samavayanga Sutra – Scripture of numerical groupings and doctrine
• Bhagavati Sutra – Great scripture of questions and answers on Jain philosophy
• Jnatadharmakatha – Stories explaining religious principles
• Upasakdashanga – Ten chapters about lay followers
• Antakritdashanga – Accounts of souls who ended worldly existence
• Anuttaropapatikdashanga – Accounts of souls reborn in highest heavens
• Prashnavyakarana – Explanations through questions
• Vipak Sutra – Results of karma
• Drashtivad – Scripture of views; considered lost

2. Upang Agams

Meaning: “Subsidiary limbs” or supporting scriptures.

These explain and support the teachings of the Ang Agams. Traditionally there are 12 Upangas.

Examples include:

• Aupapatika Sutra – Spontaneous birth and spiritual topics
• Rajaprasniya Sutra – Dialogue involving King Pradeshi
• Jivabhigama Sutra – Classification of living beings
• Prajnapana Sutra – Detailed exposition of living beings and reality
• Jambudvipaprajnapti – Description of Jambudvip and Jain cosmology
• Chandraprajnapti – Explanation related to the moon
• Suryaprajnapti – Explanation related to the sun
• Nirayavalika – Narratives connected with hellish births and karma
• Kalpavatansika – Narratives related to heavenly births
• Pushpika – Religious narratives
• Pushpachulika – Religious narratives
• Vrishnidasha – Narratives connected with the Vrishni lineage

3. Ched Sutras

Meaning: “Texts of discipline and correction.”

These deal mainly with rules for monks and nuns, discipline, atonement, and monastic conduct.

Examples include:

• Nishitha Sutra – Rules of discipline and expiation
• Mahanishitha Sutra – Extended disciplinary text
• Vyavahara Sutra – Monastic procedure and conduct
• Dashashrutaskandha – Ten sections on discipline
• Brihatkalpa Sutra – Rules for monks and nuns
• Jitakalpa Sutra – Disciplinary practices and atonements

4. Mool Sutras

Meaning: “Root scriptures.”

These are foundational texts, especially important for beginners, monks, and nuns.

Examples include:

• Avashyaka Sutra – Essential daily duties
• Dashavaikalika Sutra – Teachings on conduct, especially for monks
• Uttaradhyayana Sutra – Important teachings on ethics, karma, renunciation, and liberation
• Oghaniryukti / Pindaniryukti – Traditional explanatory texts connected with monastic discipline

5. Prakirnak Sutras

Meaning: “Miscellaneous scriptures.”

These are texts on various religious and spiritual subjects such as death, vows, worship, repentance, and conduct.

Examples include:

• Chatuhsharana – Taking refuge in the four supreme shelters
• Aturapratyakhyana – Renunciation for the sick or dying
• Bhaktaparijna – Guidance on renunciation of food
• Sanstaraka – Teachings related to the final religious bed
• Tandulavaicharika – Reflection on the body and life
• Chandravidhyadhara – Religious narrative
• Devendrastava – Praise of heavenly beings
• Ganividya – Knowledge related to calculations and signs
• Mahapratyakhyana – Great renunciation
• Virastava – Praise of Bhagwan Mahavir

6. Chulika Sutras

Meaning: “Appendix scriptures.”

These are supplementary scriptures that help in understanding other Agams.

Examples include:

• Nandi Sutra – Explanation of knowledge and scripture
• Anuyogadvara Sutra – Gateway to methods of scriptural interpretation

Important Note

In the Digambar tradition, the original Agams are generally considered lost. Digambar Jainism gives great importance to later authoritative scriptures such as:

• Shatkhandagam
• Kasayapahuda
• Samayasara
• Pravachanasara
• Tattvartha Sutra

Takeaway

Jain Agams are the sacred scriptural foundation of Jain Dharma. Their names often describe their purpose:

• Ang means main limb
• Upang means supporting limb
• Ched means discipline and correction
• Mool means root or foundation
• Prakirnak means miscellaneous
• Chulika means appendix or supplement