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Jain texts

The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas, and are the canonical literature - the scriptures - of Svetambara Jainism.

Mahavira's disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations.

The texts had to be memorised since Jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of non-acquisition, nor were they allowed to write.

Jain theology developed after Mahavira through the teachings of particularly learned monks - these teachings too, had to be memorised - and so the amount that the monks had to remember steadily increased.

Loss of the scriptures

Unfortunately many of the original teachings of Mahavira have been lost.

As centuries passed some of the texts were forgotten, and others were misremembered. The distortion of the original texts caused much concern to the Jains.

Then came a particular disruption around 350 BCE when a famine killed off many Jain monks, and with them the memory of many Jain texts.

The Digambara sect believes that during this famine all the Agamas were lost; the Svetamabara sect believes that the majority of these texts survived.

This is one of the most important differences between the two groups in Jainism, and it means that Jain texts have very different roles for the two groups of Jains.

Both sects agree that a group of texts called the Purvas were lost in the famine.

Preservation of the scriptures

After the famine, monks and nuns of the Svetambara sect held several conferences to preserve the most important Jain texts. Unsurprisingly there were many arguments about which texts were authentic, and different sub-sects still differ over this.

Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books, so the Jain scriptures should no longer be in danger.

The nature of Jain scripture

Jains don't regard Mahavira as the founder of their religion, so his words aren't of importance because he said them, but because they:

Find out more

• Jainism - Mahavira
• Jainism - Subdivisions
• Jainism - Aparigraha