Ang Agams

Ang Agams are a collection of twelve texts forming the basic structure of the Jain canonical literature. The teachings of Lord Mahavir were compiled by his disciples, called Ganadharas, into these texts. These texts are considered the oldest among the Jain texts.

The twelfth Ang Agam called Drastivad is believed to be lost. Controversy however exists about the existence of the remaining eleven texts. The Digambar sect does not believe in the currently available Ang Agams. According to them the original texts were all lost and the current versions are corrupt. Contrary to them, the Shwetambar sect believes in the existence of the remaining texts. According to them these texts were documented by the elderly monks, about 1000 years after Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana.

Acharang Sutra, Sutrakratang Sutra, Sthananga Sutra, Samavayanga Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra, Jnata Dharma Kathanga Sutra, Upasaka Dashanga Sutra, Antah Kradashanga Sutra, Anuttaroupa Patika Dashanga Sutra, Prashna Vyakrana Sutra and Vipaka Sutra are the texts coming under the Ang Agam collection.