A History of the Canonical Literature of the Jainas c8.38

c8.38

"I must confess that I do not believe in the legendary and biographical contents of the fourth part of the *Dṛṣṭivāda* but regard the Jaina tradition on this point as unfounded. I agree with Schubring (*Lehre der Jainas*, § 38) who has made it at least very probable that the real contents of the *Dṛṣṭivāda*, consisted of an exposition and refutation of heretical doctrines, and that this was the reason of its loss: it was thought undesirable to preserve these old discussions because their study could lead to a revival of heretical views and actions¹. The four parts of the *Dṛṣṭivāda*², viz. *parikamma*, *suttaim*, *puvvagaya*, and *anuyoga*, contained the "introductions", the "teachings" and the "*pūrva-paksa*" (this, and not "old texts" being the real meaning of "*puvva*”!) which were refuted by the "investigation" (*anuyoga*). This well-nigh excludes the possibility of legendary and biographical contents of the *Aṇuoga*; and I think the reason why such contents were ascribed to it later is not difficult to find. It is certain that, though the traditional subdivision of the *Dṛṣṭivāda* is probably genuine, the detailed tables of contents given in the *Nandī* and in the 4th Aṅga are entirely fantastic because at the time when they were composed