Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Read the following statements related to Jaina Literature and choose the appropriate option: Statement I: The Shvetambara Canon included the 12 Angas. Statement II: According to Shvetambara tradition, the Angas were compiled at a council held at Vallabhi.
Solution & Analysis
Answer: D
Concept
The preservation of Jaina teachings (Agamas) led to the formation of a formal canon, which remains a point of historical contention between sects.Explanation
Statement I is true. The 12 Angas form the core of the Shvetambara scripture. Statement II is false because Shvetambara tradition holds that the first formal compilation of the Angas took place at the First Jain Council in Pataliputra (3rd century BCE). The council at Vallabhi (5th century CE) was the final stage of redaction and writing down of the entire canon.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Pataliputra was the site where the 'extinct' teachings were reconstructed after a great famine.
Logic 2: Digambaras reject these Angas, claiming the original teachings were lost forever.