Saman Suttam
Encyclopedia
Saman Suttam is the religious text created in 1974 by a committee consisting of representatives of each of the major sects of Jainism
to reconcile the teachings of the sects. After a gap of about nearly two thousand years following composition of Tattvartha Sutra
by Acharya Umasvati this was the first text to be recognized by all Jain sects. At Umaswati's time, although multiple orders existed, there was no clear sectarian division. By the 20th century however, Jainism had gradually been divided into several sects. For someone to compile a text at this time, and for it to be approved by all sects, was an exceptional event.
Kshullak
Jinendra Varni
compiled a book, drawing from the original prakrit (ardha-magadhi etc) texts. It was critically examined by several monks of different orders including Muni (now Acharya) Vidyanandaji
, Muni (later Acharya) Sushil Kumarji
, Muni Janakavijaya, Muni Nathamal (now Acharya Mahaprajna
), as well as scholars like A.N. Upadhye, Darbari Lal Kothia, Agarachand Nahta etc. Finally in an assembly on 12 December 1974 it was approved by all.
The text includes 44 chapters with topics such as Mangal Sutra (on auspiciousness), Atma Sutra (on the soul), Moksha Marga Sutra (on the path to liberation) etc.
For Saman Suttam in Prakrit: http://www.jainworld.com/samansuttam/samansuttam_sans.pdf
For Saman Suttam transliteration and translation in English: http://www.jainworld.com/samansuttam/samansuttam_eng.pdf
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
to reconcile the teachings of the sects. After a gap of about nearly two thousand years following composition of Tattvartha Sutra
Tattvartha Sutra
Tattvartha Sutra is a Jain text written by Acharya Umaswati. It was an attempt to bring together the different elements of the Jain path, epistemological, metaphysical, cosmological, ethical and practical, otherwise unorganized around the scriptures in an unsystematic format...
by Acharya Umasvati this was the first text to be recognized by all Jain sects. At Umaswati's time, although multiple orders existed, there was no clear sectarian division. By the 20th century however, Jainism had gradually been divided into several sects. For someone to compile a text at this time, and for it to be approved by all sects, was an exceptional event.
Kshullak
Kshullak
A kshullak is a junior Digambar Jain monk. A kshullak wears two garments as opposed to a full monk who wears no clothes.A kshullak is sometimes accorded the title Varni, when they are engaged in studying and teaching....
Jinendra Varni
Jinendra Varni
Jinēndra Varṇī, , one of the best-known Jain scholars of the 20th century, is known for his pioneering five-volume Jainendra Siddhanta Kosha and Saman Suttam compilation, the first text accepted by all Jain orders in 1800 years....
compiled a book, drawing from the original prakrit (ardha-magadhi etc) texts. It was critically examined by several monks of different orders including Muni (now Acharya) Vidyanandaji
Vidyanandaji
Acharya Vidyanandaji is one of the most senior Jain monks. He was a disciple of Acharya Deshbhushanji.He has written may books and articles. He is now about 83 years old. He has spent his past 4 chaturmasas in Delhi....
, Muni (later Acharya) Sushil Kumarji
Sushil Kumarji
Acharya Sushil Kumarji Maharaj was a Jain Acharya. Sushil Kumarji was the honorary president of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, founder of the World Fellowship of Religions , and a founding member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad...
, Muni Janakavijaya, Muni Nathamal (now Acharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Mahaprajna
Acharya Shri Mahapragya was the tenth Acharya, supreme head of the Svetambar Terapanth sect of Jainism. Mahapragya was a highly venerable saint, yogi, spiritual leader, philosopher, author, orator, poet....
), as well as scholars like A.N. Upadhye, Darbari Lal Kothia, Agarachand Nahta etc. Finally in an assembly on 12 December 1974 it was approved by all.
The text includes 44 chapters with topics such as Mangal Sutra (on auspiciousness), Atma Sutra (on the soul), Moksha Marga Sutra (on the path to liberation) etc.
For Saman Suttam in Prakrit: http://www.jainworld.com/samansuttam/samansuttam_sans.pdf
For Saman Suttam transliteration and translation in English: http://www.jainworld.com/samansuttam/samansuttam_eng.pdf