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CHAPTER XIX
NISĪTHA AND MAHĀNISĪTHA SŪTRAS (NISĪHA AND MAHANISTHA SUYAS)
The Nisiha, which is a cheda sūtra, contains 20 chapters. Some have called it Niseha instead of Nisiha. The rules governing the life of monks and nuns and various penances by way of punishment for violating the rules regarding begging of alms, etc., are given in it.
According to Schubring, the name is to be explained only as a cross form between nischa, prohibition, and nisihiya, 'place of study'. In the Samavāyānga, possibilities of ūrovaṇā have been described as parts of the yārapakappa. But it is difficult to say in spite of its similarities with Nisīha (20) whether a particular text is to be understood by this term or not. That the Nisiha belongs to the ayara is mentioned in the Samarāyānga (44a) in a manner that is selfcontradictory (Weber, Indische Studien, 16, 254ff.). But it is suggested by the Samavāyānga (73b) where āyāra culiyā must have meant the Nisiha and not the vimutti āyāra (IT. 16).
The Mahanisiha, which is also a cheda sutra, contains six ajjhayanas. It treats of miscellaneous matters. e.g. relationship between a preceptor and his pupil, Sumati and Naila, daughter of Suyyasivi, etc. This text has many topics common to those in Nistha. W. Schubring's Das Mahānisīha Sutta (Berlin, 1918) is worthy of notice. The text refers to two cities named Kusatthala located in Magadha (p. 16) and Sambukka situated in Avanti (p. 27). It mentions a peculiar custom that when the dead bodies were not duly disposed of, they were left uncared for at the mercy of wild beasts and birds (p. 25).
The Mahānisīha deals with:-(i) Salluddhaana, about confession and penance; (ii) Kammavivāgavāgaraṇa, a big central piece in prose dealing with the result of bad behaviour, chastity, sexual temperament, and moralistic thoughts; (iii) ritual and significance of the pañca-mangala and other formulas; (iv) the story of Sumai and Naila; and (v) Navaṇīyasara. Here are found the account of Gaccha and teacher, with stories about Vaira and Kuvalayappabha; (vi) Giyatthavihara-Nandisena's personal exploits; Asada's personal exploits; about confessions and penances; Medhamālā's
