I. IMPORTANT TEXTS OF JAINISM

A. NATURE & LANGUAGE OF JAIN TEXTS

• Nature: Primarily Agamic (canonical) and commentarial
• Language:
  • Ardhamagadhi (earliest)
  • Prakrit, Sanskrit, later Apabhramsha
• Compilation: Council at Valabhi (5th–6th century CE) for Shwetambara canon

B. JAIN CANONICAL LITERATURE (AGAMAS)

1. Agamas

• Status: Sacred scriptures of Jainism
• Believed to be: Teachings of Tirthankara Mahavira
• Division (Shwetambara):
  • 12 Angas (core texts)
  • 12 Upangas
  • 10 Prakirnas
  • Cheda Sutras
  • Mula Sutras

UPSC Focus: Ethics, ascetic practices, doctrinal clarity

3. Upangas

• Supplementary texts explaining Angas
• Example: Aupapatika Sutra

4. Kalpa Sutra

• Author: Bhadrabahu
• Content:
  • Biographies of Tirthankaras
  • Rules for monks & nuns
• Important for: Jain rituals & Paryushana festival

5. Tattvartha Sutra

• Author: Umasvati (accepted by both sects)
• Language: Sanskrit
• Subject: Jain philosophy
• Seven fundamentals:
  • Jiva, Ajiva, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, Moksha
• UPSC Relevance: Core doctrinal text

6. Dravyasamgraha

• Author: Nemichandra
• Focus: Jain metaphysics

D. HISTORICAL & SECULAR JAIN TEXTS

7. Parishishtaparvan

• Author: Hemachandra
• Content: Political history (Mauryas)

8. Jain Puranas

• Adapt Hindu Puranic style
• Examples: Adi Purana

II. IMPORTANT TEXTS OF BUDDHISM

A. NATURE & LANGUAGE OF BUDDHIST TEXTS

• Nature: Canonical, philosophical, narrative
• Languages:
  • Pali (Theravada)
  • Sanskrit (Mahayana)
  • Tibetan & Chinese translations

B. BUDDHIST CANONICAL LITERATURE

1. Tripitaka (Three Baskets)

• Most important Buddhist text
• Language: Pali
• Compiled at: First Buddhist Council (Rajgir)

(i) Vinaya Pitaka

• Subject: Monastic discipline
• Key Content:
  • Rules for monks (Bhikkhus) and nuns (Bhikkhunis)
  • Origin of Sangha
• UPSC Angle: Social organization of Sangha

(ii) Sutta Pitaka

• Content: Sermons of Buddha
• Important Nikayas:
  • Digha Nikaya – long discourses
  • Majjhima Nikaya – middle-length
  • Samyutta Nikaya – grouped
  • Anguttara Nikaya – numerical
  • Khuddaka Nikaya – minor texts

(iii) Abhidhamma Pitaka

• Nature: Philosophical & psychological analysis
• Focus: Buddhist metaphysics

C. IMPORTANT BUDDHIST TEXTS OUTSIDE TRIPITAKA

2. Jataka Tales

• Content: 547 stories of Buddha’s previous births
• Historical Value: Social & economic life
• Art Link: Bharhut & Sanchi reliefs

3. Dhammapada

• Nature: Ethical verses
• Theme: Middle Path, morality

4. Milinda Panha

• Dialogue: Indo-Greek king Menander & monk Nagasena
• Importance: Logical exposition of Buddhist philosophy

5. Mahavastu

• School: Lokottaravada
• Content: Life of Buddha

D. MAHAYANA BUDDHIST TEXTS

6. Prajnaparamita Sutras

• Concept: Shunyata (Emptiness)
• Associated with: Nagarjuna (Madhyamaka)

7. Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Pundarika)

• Theme: Universal Buddhahood

8. Lankavatara Sutra

• Associated with: Yogachara philosophy

9. Avatamsaka Sutra

• Influence: East Asian Buddhism

E. VAJRAYANA & TANTRIC TEXTS

10. Tantras

• Mantras, mudras, mandalas
• Spread in Tibet & Nepal

F. HISTORICAL & CHRONICLE TEXTS

11. Dipavamsa

• Chronicle of Sri Lankan Buddhism

12. Mahavamsa

• Written by Mahinda
• Source for Ashoka & Sri Lanka

III. COMPARATIVE UPSC-READY TABLE

IV. UPSC EXAM VALUE ADDITION POINTS

🔹 Prelims Traps:

• Tattvartha Sutra → Jainism (both sects)
• Milinda Panha → Indo-Greek link
• Kalpa Sutra → Jain rituals
• Dhammapada → Ethical verses

🔹 GS-I Mains:

• Use texts to explain social reform
• Compare ritual rejection vs philosophical emphasis

🔹 GS-IV Ethics:

• Ahimsa (Jainism)
• Karuna & Madhyam Marg (Buddhism)