Umaswati | |
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![]() Image of Umaswami / Umaswati | |
Personal | |
Born | 1st to 5th century |
Died | 2nd to 5th century |
Religion | Jainism |
Notable work(s) | Tattvartha Sutra |
Religious career | |
Teacher | Kundakunda |
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Jainism |
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Umaswati, also spelled as Umasvati and known as Umaswami, was an Indian scholar, possibly between 2nd-century and 5th-century CE, known for his foundational writings on Jainism.[1][2] He authored the Jain text Tattvartha Sutra (literally '"All That Is", also called Tattvarthadhigama Sutra).[3] Umaswati's work was the first Sanskrit language text on Jain philosophy, and is the earliest extant comprehensive Jain philosophy text accepted as authoritative by all four Jain traditions.[4][5][6] His text has the same importance in Jainism as Vedanta Sutras and Yogasutras have in Hinduism.[2][4]
Umaswati is claimed by both the Digambara and Śvētāmbara sects of Jainism as their own.[7][4] On the basis of his genealogy, he was also called Nagaravachka. Umaswati was influential not only in Jainism, but also other Indian traditions over the centuries. The 13th- to 14th-century Madhvacharya, founder of Dvaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, for example referred to Umaswati in his works as Umasvati-Vachakacharya.[8] Some in the Digambara Jain tradition believe him to be the chief disciple of Acharya Kundakunda.[1][9] However, this is disputed by some Western scholars.[10]
Umaswati, was an Acharya (head of the monastic order, teacher) and therefore one of the Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme beings) in Jaina tradition. The theory mooted by Umaswati is that rebirth and suffering is on account of one's karma (deeds) and a life lived in accordance to vows of virtuous living with austerities cleanses this karma, ultimately leading to liberation.[11][12] The main philosophy in Umaswati's Tatvartha Sutra aphorisms is that "all life, both human and non-human, is sacred."[13]
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