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It is forbidden to study the scriptures during the time of midday, afternoon, and midnight, as well as on the four great festivals and the four pratipada days that follow them. The Kalikasutra describes the four praharas for studying the scriptures. Studying the scriptures during the thirty-two types of asvadhyaya times. Studying the scriptures during the time of physical asvadhyaya. Not reciting the sutras in the order of pragmokt, starting the recitation of nishith etc. chedasutras without completing the recitation of Acharang etc., giving recitation to the ineligible and not giving recitation to the eligible, showing partiality in giving recitation to equally worthy individuals, taking recitation oneself without taking recitation from the acharya, upadhyaya, giving recitation to other mithyatvis, other tethis, pavasthadi etc. is prohibited.
The first seven sutras of the present uddeśaka describe the relationship with medicine etc. After that, from the eighth sutra to the thirty-fifth sutra, there is a description of the relationship with the study and teaching of the scriptures. The Stananga, Avashyakasutra, Vyavharasutra and Bahutkalpa also shed light on these matters in various places. The given recitation is clearly prohibited in this. Thus, there are only two topics discussed in the nineteenth uddeśaka. Twentieth uddeśaka
The twentieth uddeśaka has 51 sutras. There are 6272-6703 gathas in the commentary on them. There are provisions for various types of atonement for deceitful and sincere criticism. The practitioner who criticizes sincerely gets as much atonement as the practitioner who criticizes deceitfully gets one month more atonement. In the reign of Bhagwan Mahavira, there is only a provision for atonement for six months. These sutras are similar to the first twenty sutras of the Vyavharasutra. It describes the atonement by telling various bhangs. The criticism of the places of atonement, the giving of atonement and the establishment of grace and disgrace during the time of its carrying are clearly described.
It should be remembered that according to the nishith appointment and commentary, the sutra number of nishith is 2022. But in the present edition, the total sutra number is 1401. The sutra number is not the same in all the available copies of the nishith sutra. The difference in the number of 621 sutras in the appointment and commentary is investigable for researchers.
Offense and Atonement Law - From a Buddhist Perspective
There are two streams of Shraman culture - one is Jain culture and the other is Buddhist culture. We have already mentioned in the above lines that in the Jain method of sadhana, if there are any lapses, there is a provision for atonement etc. in the nishith etc. chedasutras to get rid of that lapse. First, a long list of possible lapses is given and then atonement is provided for the purification of those lapses. The place of nishith in the Jain tradition is the same as the place of Vinayapitaka in the Buddhist tradition. The 'Vinayapitaka' gives the constitution of the Buddhist Sangha. Conduct has a glorious place in the life of a bhikkhu. The Tathagata Buddha preached the rules to be followed by the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis from time to time. The present context also describes offenses, faults and atonements. This book has its own importance in guiding society and life. The Vinayapitaka is divided into three parts from the point of view of Vinayavastu - (1) Suttabhanga, (2) Khandaka, (3) Parivara.
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