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JAIN HISTORY LITERATURE and SECTS
E02 - Jain Scriptures and Literature
Prajnäpanä Sutra (Pannavanä):
This Agam describes the form and attributes of souls from a different perspective. Surya-prajnapti Sutra (Suriya-pannatti):
This Agam describes the Sun, the planets, and the associated mathematics regarding their motion. Chandra-prajnapti Sutra:
This Agam describes the Moon, the planets, and the associated mathematics regarding their motion. Both of these Upangas, the Chandra Prajnapti and Surya-prajnapti, are very important in
understanding the astrology of olden times. Jambudvipa-prajnapti Sutra:
This Agam provides a description of Jambudvipa. Jambudvipa is a big island located in the center of the middle world, as explained in Jain geography. The Agam also provides information on
ancient kings. Nirayarvali Sutra:
This Agam describes the story of ten brother princes. All ten princes fought with King Chetak of Vaishali, their half-brother, in cooperation with king Konika. In the end, all ten princes went to hell
after dying in war. Kalpä-vatansikä Sutra (Kappävadamsiäo):
This Agam describes the story of King Konika's children. They did not fight with King Chetak in
the war. They renounced the world and became monks. After their death, they went to heaven. Pushpikä Sutra (Puspiäo):
This Agam describes the previous lives of certain Devas (angels) who worshiped Bhagawan Mahävir. Pushpa-chulikä Sutra:
This Ägam describes stories similar to those in the Pushpikä. Vrashnidashä Sutra (Vanhidasäo):
This Agam explains how Bhagawan Neminäth convinced ten kings in the Vrashni region to follow
the Jain religion. Chheda-sutras:
The subject matter described in the Chheda-sutras is for ascetics and not for lay people. It provides the rule of conduct, punishment, and repentance for ascetics. It also explains how they
can repent for their sins and mistakes. Nishitha Sutra (Nisiha):
This Agam explains the procedure of repentance (Prayashchitta) in the form of punishment for the monks and nuns who have violated the rules of ascetics. Brahat-kalpa Sutra:
This Agam explains which of the ten kinds of repentance (Präyashchittas) is appropriate for a particular wrongdoing done by monks and nuns. It also defines the acceptable conduct of monks
and nuns. Vyavahär Sutra*:
This Ägam describes the system of confession for monks and nuns who fall from proper conduct. It explains the qualifications of the listening monk or nun and with what sort of feeling the confession should be made. It also explains what sort of repentance (Präyashchitta) the monk should perform. There are several other indications of the limits of ascetic life.
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015
