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JAIN HISTORY LITERATURE and SECTS
E02 - Jain Scriptures and Literature
Dashä-shruta-skandha Sutra (Ächäradashä):
There are ten chapters in this Sutra. It contains information relating to 20 places of Asamadhi, 21 major faults bringing weakness in conduct, 33 Ashätanäs of Guru, 8 Sampadäs of Acharyas and their kinds, 10 places of Chitta Samadhi, 11 Pratimäs of layperson, 12 Pratimäs of ascetics (monks and nuns), Kalpa-Sutra (recited during the Paryushan), 30 places of bondage of Mohaniya
Karma and 9 Nidänas (Niyane). Pancha-kalpa Sutra *:
This sutra explains the daily rituals the monks and nuns have to perform. Only scattered chapters of this Agam are now available. However, the commentaries (Bhäsya and Churni) written about
this Agam by some elder monks are available. Mahä-nishitha Sutra:
This Agam explains the process of confession and repentance (Präyashchitta) for monks and nuns. It explains the magnitude of pain one has to suffer if he or she breaks the fourth vow
(celibacy). It also describes and explains the conduct of good and bad monks. Mool-sutras:
The scriptures, which are essential for monks and nuns to study in the early stages of their ascetic
life, are called Mool-sutras. Ävashyaka Sutra:
The daily rituals or essentials, which are necessary to perform during the day and night for the purification of the soul, are called Avashyaka. A description of the six essentials (Avashyaka) is explained in this Agam. The six essentials are Sämäyika, Chaturvimshati-stava, Vandana,
Pratikraman, Käyotsarga, and Pratyakhyana. Dasha-vaikälika Sutra:
This Agam briefly describes and explains the conduct of ascetic life. Uttaradhyayan Sutra:
This Agam has the same place in Jain literature as the Dhammapada in Buddhism and the Gitä in the Hindu religion. It contains preaching regarding religious principles and practices and many
stories, dialogues, and examples based on such principles and practices. Ogha-niryukti or Pinda-niryukti Sutra*:
This Ägam explains certain rules and procedures for monks with respect to traveling, staying, and
accepting food and other necessities from lay people. Chulikä-sutras:
The scriptures, which enhance or decorate the meaning of Anga-pravishtha Agams are known as
Chulikä-sutras or sometimes known as Chulikä. Nandisutra:
This Agam contains an elaborate description of Tirthankars, Ganadhars, and five types of
Knowledge (Jnän): Mati, Shruta, Avadhi, Manah-paryava, and Keval-jnän. Anuyoga-dvära Sutra:
This Agam provides the description of many rights regarding the mode of preaching. Prakirna-sutras:
The scriptures, which describe independent or miscellaneous subjects of the Jain religion, are known as Prakirna-sutra.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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