Anga aagam sutras 11 upanga aagam sutras12 mool sutras 4 chhed sutras 4 1 acharanga sutra part 1. Followers of jainism are called jains and must observe five major vows. The existing text of the acharanga sutra which is used by the svetambara sect of jainism was. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. The existing text of the acaranga sutra is used by the svetambara sect of jainism. It covers each major religions history, teachings, founder, leaders, practices, and the. Powered by with a commitment to quality content for the jain community. These book covers, such as this 19thcentury example, continued to be made in later centuries. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his.
Parasparopagraho jivanam the function of souls is to help one another is the motto of jainism. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. It was the first text that was studied by the jain monks. Other texts that provide insight into conduct of ascetics include yogashastra by acharya hemachandra and niyamasara by acharya kundakunda. Jain sutra the jainsite worlds largest jain website. The second book is a treatise and was added to the first book to describe the ways of conduct in the ascetic life.
The acaranga sutra discusses the conduct of a jain monk. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. The jain literature, which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis, is known as agam literature. As is the practice at this site, the typography of the original has been preserved as far as possible. Global jain aagam mission pawandham, nisarg marg, mahavir nagar, kandivali w, mumbai 400067. The latter is explained to be noncontrol asamyama or the wrong use of mind, speech, and body. The birth of mahavira, from a kalpasutra manuscript, late 15th early 16th century page from a kalpasutra manuscript showing the birth of mahavira from the kalpasutra manuscript western india late 15th early 16th century opaque watercolour on paper. This scripture refers to ahimsa which is the central virtue of jainism and has to do with nonviolence. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira.
Roman catholic monk project gutenberg selfpublishing. This agama explains about the conduct and behaviour of ascetic life and describes about the penance of lord mahavira. This sutra is recited while offering obeisance to tirthankar image at the temple or to the monks and nuns in a specific posture wherein the five body parts, namely two hands, two knees and. The central tenet is nonviolence and respect towards all living beings. Tattvagyan is a comprehensive online website giving an indepth knowledge on spirituality, philosophy, jain culture, jainism. According to lord mahavira to remain attached to sensuous objects is to remain in the whirl. Sacred texts jainism index previous next buy this book at. From soul to supreme soul the agamas unveil the secrets and doctrines of the omniscient, lord mahavira.
He was the spiritual successor of 23rd tirthankara parshvanatha. Four works have come to be included in the mulasutra category of holy. This booklet provides a brief summary of each agama with a few key sutras highlighted. Jain manuscript cover depicting the fourteen auspicious dreams of queen trisala, mahaviras mother, which heralded his birth western india 19th century painted wood museum no. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. The acaranga sutra dating to 500 bce, addresses the meditation system of jainism in detail.
World religion sacred picture library god love all beings follow. The second book is made up of four sections or kulas. The jain agams consisted of 1 14 purvas, 2 12 angpravishthaagams and 3 angbahyaagams 34 for shwetambar murtipujak, 21 for shwetambar sthanakvasi and 14 for digambar. I renounce all sexual pleasures, either with gods or men or animals. This booklet provides a brief summary of each agama in gujarati. In antiquity, acaranga was the first text that was studied by the jain monks. The reason is very simple, this book consists of a biography of lord mahavira in detail, and the lives of the other prophets tirthankaras. Acharanga sutra discusses the conduct of a jain monk. Different sects recite different sutras when one bows to the tirthankar image or an ascetic. The acharanga sutra is the first of the twelve angas, part of the agamas religious texts which were compiled based on the teachings of mahavira. Jaina text uttaradhyayanasutra mentions the root of all sufferings physical as well as mental of every body including gods, is attachment towards the objects of worldly enjoyment. The jain tradition599527 bc to 5th century adacaranga sutra. The history of jainism after lord mahavira is recorded in the jaina literature preserved in various indian languages.
Agama is a sanskrit word which signifies the coming of a body of doctrine by means of transmission through a lineage of authoritative teachers. Jainism jain history teachings and practices jain scriptures key terms readings teachings nonviolence, sutrakritanga wise and foolish men, acaranga sutra moral verses, naladiyar there is no creator god, mahapurana be watchful, uttaradhyayana sutra practices the eternal law, acaranga sutra sinning against the earth, acaranga sutra the five great. Mahavira, also known as vardhamana was the 24th tirthankara of jainism. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. Jain tradition holds that mahavira was born in the early part of the 6th century bce into a royal kshatriya jain family in presentday bihar, india. Paul dundas, the jains, the library of religious beliefs and practices, eds. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma.
The principles of jain doctrine are stressed, often contrasted with rival beliefs. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Shah jain study center of north carolina raleigh 401 farmstead drive, cary nc 275115631 9194690956 and fax email. Tradition relates that the knowledge contained in these texts was transmitted by. English translation of holy kalpa sutra english translation by hermann jacobi taken from. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The acharanga sutra is the first of the 12 texts accepted as canonical by shvetambara jains.
There are different types of sutras of jainism that explain the various agamas. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. This is volume 22 of the sacred books of the east, part one of the hermann jacobi translation of the jaina sutras. The most enjoyable parts of the book were its discussions of jainist ethics and the nature of the life force. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. The acharanga or acaranga sutra was written around the 3rd and 2nd centuries bc. Jaina sutras, part i sbe22 index internet sacred text. The most momentous event, which occurred about 80 a. Most notably it describes steps which monks must take to avoid harming other living beings, including the microscopic life forms which the ancient jains believed pervaded the universe. I was surprised to discover that jainism dates from the time of the buddha, and has such a large following today.
Anthology of world religions explores the worlds religious traditions by combining substantial overviews of their history, beliefs, and practices with selections from their texts and scriptures and commentary by contemporary practitioners and scholars. It is the oldest agam and contains two srutaskandhas or books. The first lecture is called satthaparinna sastraparigna,knowledge of the weapon. From the earliest jain illuminated manuscripts, the folios were encased in wooden covers that are often decorated with religious or historical themes.
He abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of about 30 and left home in pursuit of spiritual awakening. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. Song raga madhuvanti alap live at carnegie hall, new york, u. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The existing agam sutras are accepted as the authentic preaching of lord mahavir by the swetambar sects, but the digambar sect does not accept. The acaranga sutra, or book of good conduct, is a sacred book within jainism that discusses the ascetic code of conduct. The kalpa sutra contains a biography of the founder of jainism, mahavira, as well as other founders of the religion, and a list of the successive jain leaders. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. Translated from the prakrit by hermann jacobi, 1884 from. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. Haribhadra c 8th century wrote the yogadisamuccaya, a key jain text on yoga which compares the yoga systems of buddhists, hindus and jains. It was recompiled and edited by kshamashraman devardhigani, who headed the council held at valabhi 980 years after the death of mahavira. The three main principles of jainism are ahimsa nonviolence, anekantavada nonabsolutism, and aparigraha nonpossessiveness. It covers each major religions history, teachings, founder, leaders, practices, and the factors that are now challenging and changing it.
I sudharman have heard the following discourse from. The text, which discusses the right conduct of jain monks, has been translated by hermann jacobi jain sutras, part i. Anthology of world religions sacred texts and biggerbooks. Jaina sutras, part i by hermann jacobi sacred books of the east, vol. He also wrote samhita, a book dealing with legal cases. Paradham, vallabh baug lane, tilak road, ghatkopar east, mumbai, maharashtra 400077, india. This is a complete e book of on the indian sect of the jainas, by johann georg buhler. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Many classical texts are in sanskrit tatvartha sutra, puranas, koshas, shravakacharas, mathematics, nighantus etc. Acharanga sutra academic dictionaries and encyclopedias.