Jaina Ethics

SR No.: 001334
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dayanand Bhargav
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 314
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Principle
File Size: 15 MB

Page 254

Ethical Literature of the Fainas
237 (iv) Dašaśrutaskandha:
It is also said to be composed by Bhadrabāhu, and known by the name of Acāradašā. It has ten adhyayanas and deals with the hindrances in the moral life of a monk. It gives eleven pratimās, the stages of spiritual practices for a householder. The kalpasūtras, forming its 8th section, deal with the life-story of Mahāvīra. (v) Kalpa :
Composed by Bhadrabāhu and consisting of six uddešakas, it seems to be a fairly old account of the conduct of a Jaina monk. It deals specially with the regulations regarding food, begging, and mutual co-operation of Jaina monks. It is termed as Brhatkalpasūtra, as distinguished from Kalpasūtras, forming part of the original Dašaśrutaskandha. (vi) Pañcakalpa:
The Pañcakalpa Sūtra having been lost, Jitakalpa Sūtra of Jinabhadra gaại kşamāśramana is taken to be the sixth chedasūtra. It deals with the ten traditional prāyaścittas. The Mūlas ūtras
The Mülasūtras, four in number, are important to know the fundamentals of Faina ethics. They specially deal with asceticism
(i) Uttarādhyayana :
Consisting of 36 adhyayanas, it is a sūtra of multiple authorship. Leaving aside the 29th adhyayana and the beginning portions of the 2nd and 16th adhyayanas, the rest of the work is written in verses. Winternitz compares it with Dhammapada, and Suttanipäta. He has rightly called it 'one of the most valuable portions of the canon.'2
Besides the moral teachings which stories like that of Hari Kesin bear, it enunciates such ethical principles as that of forbearance, voluntary death. celibacy, vigilance and penance. It also contains spiritual explanation of sacrifices
1. Winternitz, M., A History of Indian Literature, Vol. II, p. 467. 2. Ibid., p. 466.