Jaina Philosophy

Author(s): Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

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JAINA PHILOSOPHY: AN INTRODUCTION
Chedasūtras :
The word 'cheda' means 'cut'. Probably the treatises that prescribed cuts in seniority of monks on their violating monastic discipline, were called Chedasūtras. The existing texts belonging to this group are not exclusively devoted to this type of punishment. They deal with all sorts of topics pertaining to monastic jurisprudence. The following works are included in this group :
(1) Niśītha, (2) Mahāniśītha, (3) Vyavahāra, (4) Daśāśrutaskandha, (5) Bṛhatkalpa, (6) Jītakalpa or Pañcakalpa.
The Niśītha consists of twenty chapters. It prescribes some rules pertaining to monastic life. Punishments for various transgressions are also prescribed in it. Certain exceptions to the general rules also find place therein.
The Mahāniśītha has six chapters and two appendices. It deals with some specific topics relating to ascetic life. It contains some narratives, too.
The Vyavahara contains ten chapters. It supplies injunctions and prohibitions regarding the conduct of monks and nuns. It prescribes a number of atonements and penances, too, by way of punishment for various transgressions.
The Daśāśrutaskandha consists of ten chapters. Of them, one deals with eleven upāsakapratimās (postures and penances pertaining to a lay-votary) and the rest explain different aspects relating to monastic life.
The Bṛhatkalpa has six chapters. It supplies rules and regulations regarding the conduct of monks and nuns.
The Jitakalpa consists of 103 verses. It prescribes penances pertaining to violations of rules of monastic life. These penances are in the form of ten types of expiations (prāyaścittas).
The Pañcakalpa is extinct.