Agama (text)

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Agama (Sanskrit, IAST Āgama) literally means that which has "come down", i.e. that which has been handed down to the people of the present from the past. Agama is used to a set of scriptures in Hinduism, in Buddhism, and in Jainism, with a distinct meaning in each case.

Contents

1 Hinduism
2 Buddhism
3 Jainism
4 See also
5 Notes
6 References

Hinduism

In Hinduism, an enormous collection of Sanskrit scriptures which, along with the Vedas, are revered as śruti (revealed scripture). The Agamas are the primary source and authority for ritual, yoga and temple construction. Each of the major denominations—Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism—has its unique Agama texts. Smartas recognize the Agamas, but don't necessarily adhere to them and rely mainly on the smriti texts.

Buddhism

In Buddhism, agama is used in the Mahayana tradition to refer to a class of sutras which correspond to the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Canon. In this sense, agama is a synonym for one of the meanings of nikaya. According to Charles MullerMuller, Charles. Digital Dictionary of Buddhism, [entry on 阿含經]four collections of agamas appear in the East Asian Mahayana Canon: the Cháng Ahánjīng (長阿含經), the Zhōng Ahánjīng (中阿含經), the Zá Ahánjīng (雜阿含經), and the Zēngyī Ahánjīng (增一阿含經). These correspond to the Digha Nikaya, the Majjhima Nikaya, the Samyutta Nikaya, and the Anguttara Nikaya of the Pali Canon, respectively.

Jainism

In Jainism, an agama is an ancient Jain textbooks. There were many Agamas in ancient times, but as time passed many of them were lost and destroyed. At present, 45 Agamas are available. Agamas are written in the Prakrit language. These are read and studied by Jain monks (sadhus) only.

Notes

References