Jains Today in World

Author(s): Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 90

Their Sacred Books and Other Writings : 57 4) The Prajñāpanā-sūtra systematically covers, through questions and answers, a wide range of matters such as “kaşāya “ (passions), "karma“ etc. Its author seems to be Ācārya Syāma who lived 400 years after Mahāvīra.
5) The Jambūdvīpaprajñapti-sūtra depicts the Jambūdvīpa (the Isle of the rose apple-tree), the central continent of the inhabited universe where India is situated, and reports legends about Emperor Bharata.
6) The Suryaprajñapti-sūtra deals with questions and answers in detail between Mahāvīra and Gautama, about astronomy, especially on the sun.
7) The Candraprajñapti-sūtra deals, in the same manner as the former, with the moon and the stars.
8) The Nirayāvalikā-sūtra describes the hells and relates the life of King Śreņika and of his lineage.
9) The Kalpavatāmśikā-sūtra depicts the heavens and tells the conversion of Padma, the grandson of Śreņika, and of his nine brothers.
10) The Puspikā also tells several conversions to Jain faith.
11) The Puspacālikā is a continuation of the former.
12) The Vrsnidaśā-sūtra reports the conversion of Prince Nishada by Aristanemi and of several others.
The “ Chedasūtra" (rules of monastic discipline) comprise six books:
1) The Niśītha-sūtra deals with ascetic transgressions and their expiations. It is ascribed to Bhadrabāhu.