EARLY JAINA GEOMETRY IN INDIA AND ITS RELEVANCE IN LATER INDIAN GEOMETRY

摘要

This paper attempts to highlight the relevance of the early Jaina geometry in the field of mathematical or rather geometrical works of Aryabhata Ⅰ, Brahmagupta, Mahdvirdcarya, Aryabhata Ⅱ, Nemicandra, Bhdskara Ⅱ and other Indian mathematicians. We shall at first present some geometrical formulae (including mensuration) contained in the Jaina religious and semi-religious works of Umdsvdti in the Tattvdrthddhigama-sutra-bhdsya and Jambudvipasamdsa. Thereafter we will examine the validity of these formulae with the help of plane geometry. Finally, we would like to make an effort to find out the similarity (or dissimilarity) of these formulae with the results (or rules) given by the later Indian mathematicians like the ones mentioned above.