Agam 37 Chhed 04 Dashashrut Skandh Part 01 Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on Agam 37, Ched 04, Dashashrut Skandh, Part 01, Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha by Gunsagarsuri:

Book Title: Agam 37 Ched 04 Dashashrut Skandh Part 01 Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha Author: Gunsagarsuri Publisher: Jina Goyam Guna Sarvoday Trust Mumbai

This document, "Agam Guna Manjusha," presents a concise overview of the 45 Agamas of Jainism, with a particular focus on the Dashashrut Skandh Sutra, which is designated as Agam 37. The text is structured to introduce various categories of Agamic literature and then delves into the specific contents of the Dashashrut Skandh.

I. Brief Introduction to the 45 Agamas (Pages 2-7):

The initial pages provide a systematic classification and brief description of the Jain Agamas, highlighting their key themes and approximate verse counts. This section serves as a foundational context for understanding the significance of the Dashashrut Skandh. The major categories covered are:

• Eleven Angas (Pages 2-3):

  • Achara Sutra: Deals with the conduct of monks and householders, focusing on the "Charanakarana Yoga" (ways of conduct).
  • Sutrakritanga Sutra (Suyagadanga): Discusses various philosophical viewpoints (ritualists, non-ritualists, agnostics) and the "Dravyanuyoga" (entity).
  • Sthana Sutra (Thana Sutra): Covers all four "Anuyogas" (entity, calculation, religious discourse, ways of conduct), with a focus on enumeration from one to ten.
  • Samavayama Sutra: A compendium detailing objects from one to crores.
  • Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra (Bhagavati Sutra): The largest Agama, presenting questions from Gautama Ganadhara and answers from Lord Mahavira, covering all four Anuyogas.
  • Jnātādharmakathanga Sutra: Primarily focused on religious discourse, containing numerous narratives.
  • Upasaka Dasanga Sutra: Describes the twelve vows and the lives of ten lay disciples.
  • Antakrddaśaanga Sutra: Focuses on religious discourse, detailing the life-stories of souls achieving liberation.
  • Anuttaraupapātika Daśānga Sutra: Contains life-stories of great laymen who become Anuttara Vāsi Devas and attain liberation.
  • Praśnavyākaraṇa Sutra: Primarily deals with the "Charanakarana Yoga," answering questions posed by deities, Vidyadharas, and ascetics.
  • Vipāka Sutra: Divided into "Dukhā Vipāka" (misery) and "Sukha Vipāka" (happiness), illustrating the consequences of actions.

• Twelve Upangas (Pages 3-4):

  • Aupapātika Sutra: A supplement to the Achara Sutra, describing the city of Champanagari and austerities.
  • Rājapraśnīya Sutra: A supplement to the Sutrakritanga Sutra, detailing King Pradesi's story.
  • Jivābhigama Sutra: A supplement to the Sthana Sutra, analyzing soul and non-soul.
  • Prajñāpanā Sutra: A supplement to the Samavayama Sutra, describing 36 topics.
  • Sūrya Prajñapti Sutra & Chandra Prajñapti Sutra: Focus on "Ganitanuyoga" (calculation), describing celestial movements.
  • Jambūdvīpa Prajñapti Sutra: Focuses on "Ganitanuyoga," detailing the Jambū island.
  • Niryāvali Pañcaka (Nirayāvali Sutra, Kalpāvatamsaka Sutra, Puṣpiyā Upāṅga Sutra, Puṣpacūlikā Sutra, Vr̥ṣṇidaśa Sutra): These five Upangas narrate various life-stories and events.

• Ten Payanna Sutras (Pages 4-6):

  • These are considered supplementary texts, covering various aspects of conduct, austerities, and philosophical points. Examples include: Aurapratyākhyāna, Bhaṭṭaparijñā, Sansthāraka, Tandula Viyaliya, Candāvijaya, Devendra Stuti, Maraṇa Samādhi, Mahāpratyākhyāna, Gaṇividyā.
  • Some of these, like Aurapratyākhyāna, Bhaṭṭaparijñā, Sansthāraka, and Candāvijaya, are also accessible to lay followers.

• Six Cheda Sutras (Page 7):

  • Vyavahāra Sutra, Niśītha Sutra, Mahāniśītha Sutra, Pañcakalpa Sutra, Daśāśruta Skandha Sutra, Jītakalpa Sutra: These are considered highly important and complex texts dealing with detailed rules, exceptions, penances, and criticisms. Their study is restricted to highly qualified monks.

• Four Mūla Sutras (Page 7):

  • Daśavaikālika Sutra: Considered vital for monks and nuns in the current era, containing ten lessons and two supplementary "Chūlikās."
  • Uttarādhyayana Sutra: Contains the final sermons of Lord Mahavira, focusing on detachment and monastic conduct.
  • Āvaśyaka Sutra: Essential for all four types of followers, detailing six daily obligatory duties (Sāmayika, Caturviṃśati, Vandana, Pratikramaṇa, Kāyotsarga, Paccakkhāṇa).
  • Anuyogadvāra Sutra: Described as the "key to all Agamas," it explains the principles of scriptural interpretation and is crucial for understanding other texts.

• Two Chūlikās (Page 7):

  • Nandi Sutra & Anuyogadvāra Sutra: (Note: Anuyogadvāra is also listed as a Mūla Sutra, indicating its foundational importance). These contain hymns, enumerations, and detailed explanations.

II. Detailed Focus on Dashashrut Skandh Sutra (Agam 37) (Pages 8-22):

This section delves into the specific content of the Dashashrut Skandh Sutra, which is classified under the "Chedasutras" and is described as being primarily related to "Charanānu-yoga" (ways of conduct). The text is divided into ten "Dashas" (sections or lessons), and the following key themes are highlighted:

• Structure: The sutra is presented with its structure indicated in Gujarati: "Agam - 39 - 1, Charanānuyogmay Dashashrut Skandh Sutra - 39." It is noted that the original text is in Prakrit (likely Ardhamagadhi), with Gujarati translations and explanations provided.

• Ten Dashas and Their Contents: The text details the subject matter of each of the ten Dashas:

  • Prathama Dasha (First Dasha): Discusses ten points of "Asamādhishthāna" (lack of composure or mental disturbance) as described by elder monks (Sthaviras).
  • Dwitiya Dasha (Second Dasha): Lists twenty-one "Sabaladoshas" (strong faults or vices) identified by the Sthaviras.
  • Tritiya Dasha (Third Dasha): Encompasses thirty-three "Āshātanā" (disrespects or offenses) as narrated by the Sthaviras.
  • Chaturthi Dasha (Fourth Dasha): Covers eight "Gaṇisampradā" (qualities of a monastic leader/group), four types of discipline in learning, four types of disciple discipline, and four aspects related to equipment, assistance, praise, and carrying the group's burden.
  • Panchami Dasha (Fifth Dasha): Narrates the occasion of Lord Mahavira's "Samavasarana" (religious assembly) in Vanijagrama and ten "Chitta-samādhi Sthāna" (points of mental composure) as described by the Sthaviras.
  • Shashthi Dasha (Sixth Dasha): Details eleven "Upāsaka Pratimā" (stages of lay discipleship) as described by the Sthaviras, along with discussions on "Akriyāvādī" (nihilists) and "Kriyāvādī" (believers in action and consequence).
  • Saptami Dasha (Seventh Dasha): Discusses twelve "Bhikkhu Pratimā" (stages of monastic discipline).
  • Ashtami Dasha (Eighth Dasha): Focuses on the five "Kalyāṇas" (auspicious events) of Lord Mahavira.
  • Navami Dasha (Ninth Dasha): Describes Lord Mahavira's Samavasarana in Champanagari and three "Mahāmohanīya Sthāna" (major points related to the deluding karma).
  • Dahami Dasha (Tenth Dasha): Covers Lord Mahavira's arrival in Rajagriha, the "Navanidāna" (nine types of vows/resolves), the consequences for those who make them, and the journey from "Ālāchanā" (confession) to "Ārādhanā" (devotion) for monks and nuns. This section also extensively details various forms of misconduct and their karmic repercussions, as well as the path of righteous conduct and liberation.

• Specific Content within the Dashas (Pages 9-22): The latter part of the document provides a detailed Prakrit text with some Gujarati explanations, illustrating the contents of the first few Dashas. This includes:

  • Asamādhishthāna Adhyayana (Study of lack of composure): Discusses twenty points of mental disturbance.
  • Śabalā Adhyayana (Study of mixed faults): Lists twenty-one "Sabaladoshas."
  • Āshātanā Adhyayana (Study of offenses): Encompasses thirty-three types of offenses, particularly focusing on interactions and conduct with a monastic preceptor ("Shēha" and "Rāyani").
  • Gaṇisampradā Adhyayana (Study of monastic leadership qualities): Details eight types of qualities for a monastic leader and discusses various aspects of discipline, learning, speech, and conduct.
  • Chitta Samādhi Sthāna Adhyayana (Study of mental composure): Explains ten points of mental composure, including various spiritual insights and stages of realization.
  • Upāsaka Pratimā Adhyayana (Study of lay disciple stages): Describes eleven stages of lay discipleship, outlining the gradual adoption of vows and practices. This section also contrasts "Akriyāvādī" (nihilists) with "Kriyāvādī" (believers in karma).
  • Bhikkhu Pratimā Adhyayana (Study of monastic discipline stages): Details twelve stages of monastic discipline, including the duration and specific observances for each stage.
  • Paryuṣaṇakalpa Adhyayana (Study of observance principles): (Though numbered as the eighth study in the sequence, it seems to be a general reference to practices).
  • Mohanīya Sthāna Adhyayana (Study of deluding karma points): (Though numbered as the ninth study, it relates to the tenth Dasha's theme of Mohaniya). This section discusses numerous "Mohanīya Sthāna" that lead to karmic accumulation, particularly highlighting the negative consequences of envy, greed, and improper conduct.
  • Āyāti Sthāna Adhyayana (Study of arrival points) / Mohaniya Sthāna Adhyayana (continued): This appears to be the tenth Dasha, elaborating on the "Navanidāna" (nine types of vows/resolves) and their severe karmic repercussions, leading to unfavorable rebirths. It strongly emphasizes that such resolves and actions prevent one from understanding and accepting the true Dharma, as taught by the Jinas. It also contrasts the consequences of these negative resolutions with the path of renunciation and liberation.

Overall Purpose and Significance:

The "Agam Guna Manjusha" aims to provide a structured and accessible introduction to the vast body of Jain Agamic literature. By first offering a synopsis of all 45 Agamas and then focusing on the intricacies of the Dashashrut Skandh, it guides the reader through the fundamental teachings of Jainism, particularly concerning ethical conduct, discipline, and the path to spiritual liberation. The inclusion of Prakrit text with Gujarati explanations makes the complex teachings more comprehensible. The emphasis on the Dashashrut Skandh highlights its importance in understanding the practical application of Jain principles in daily life and monastic practice.