The teachings of
Lord Mahavir are stored in a collection of texts collectively termed as Agam Sutras. They contain the essence of
Jainism. The preaching of the Jain lord was compiled by the lord’s immediate disciples known as Gandharas and some elder monks known as Srut-kevalis. These teachings were not stored in the written manner; rather they were orally passed on from generations to generations. In later period, these teachings were transferred to numerous manuscripts. These manuscripts were the prized possession of the Jain monks.
A significant part of the Agam Sutras were however lost or forgotten when the Jain community dispersed during a severe famine that occurred in 350 BC. The literature that was constructed at a later period was however considered corrupt by some sections of the Jain community. This section of people formed the Digambar sect. The people who believed in the authenticity of renewed texts formed the Shwetambar sect.
