Part 5.4 - Cheda-sutras, Chulika-sutras and Mula-sutras

[Full title: Jain scriptures (4): Sutras]

Six Cheda-sutras:

Six Chedasutras are given below (“Ched” is external practice/process that does not interfere with religion/duties but improves purification. If one commits some mistakes, processes given to correct and improve, do’s and don”ts for monks and householders):

1. Nishithsutra: This Achar-prakalpa gives details of dos and don”ts of ascetics.

2. Mahanishith (written by Sudharma Swami, improvised by Sri Haribhadra suri)

3. Vyavahar Dasha Kalpa (written by Bhadrabahu Swami): It describes all punishments, taxes, remorse process and other eligibilities for all.

4. Dasashrut skandh (Trḯni Chhedsutrani or Dashashrutskandha, Brihatkalpa written by Bhadrabahu Swami. It contains 10 chapters including 8^th chapter of Paryusana’s Kalpasutra)

5. Bruhat kalpa (written by Bhadrabahu Swami): It describes the basic characteristics and virtues of monks and nuns and other details.

6. Jit kalpasutra (written by Bhadrabahu Swami): This is very serious scripture describing all deficiencies of a monk and 19 types of repentances.

Two Sutras (Agama-chulika-sutra) are:

1. Nandisutra (Dev vachak Gani): It gives details of five types of jnanas (knowledge), Gandhars, Tirthankars and the Sangh.

2. Anuyog dvar or Anuyogasutra: (Unique scripture, four Chhedsutras compiled and written by Sthaveer Aryarakshit). It facilitates word to join its meaning, process of expressing the meaning. It is master-key to understand agamas.

Four Mula-sutra are:

1. Avashyak Oghniryukti

2. Dashvaikayik (Shayyambhav suri)

3. Pindniryukti (BhadrabahuSwami): It talks of bringing and taking food for ascetics.

4. Uttaradhyayan: It describes the last sermon of 16 prahars of Lord Mahavira in 36 chapters.