Sthananga Sutra Part 02

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Sthananga Sutra Part 02," based on the given pages:

Book Title: Sthananga Sutra Part 02 Author(s): Nemichand Banthiya, Parasmal Chandaliya Publisher: Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskruti Rakshak Sangh Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/004187/1

This volume of the Sthananga Sutra, Part 2, focuses on the fifth through tenth "Sthanas" (places or categories) of the original text. The Sthananga Sutra, third among the eleven Agamas, systematically describes various aspects of Jain philosophy, cosmology, and practice based on numerical categorization, from one up to ten.

Core Content of the Sthananga Sutra:

• Numerical Categorization: The Sutra's unique approach is its reliance on numerical classification. Each "Sthana" (or chapter) deals with subjects that can be enumerated from one to ten.
• Scope: It covers a vast range of topics including living beings (jiva), non-living substances (pudgala), cosmology (lok, alok), history, mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and ethics.
• Importance in Jain Literature: The Sthananga Sutra is considered a foundational text for understanding general Jain philosophy. Knowledge of the Sthananga and Samavayana Sutras is considered essential for becoming an Acharya, Upadhyaya, or Ganavachedaka (leaders of the monastic community). The text highlights its value for gaining a broad understanding of Jainism.

Key Sections and Themes Covered in Part 2 (Sthanas 5-10):

The provided pages cover detailed explanations of the fifth through tenth Sthanas. A significant portion of the text is a table of contents (Vishayanukramnika), listing numerous topics discussed within these Sthanas, demonstrating the Sutra's encyclopedic nature. Here are some of the prominent themes and categories mentioned:

• Fifth Sthana (Pages 4-38):

  • Five Vows (Mahavrata and Anuvrata): Detailed explanations of the five great vows for ascetics (Mahavratas) and the five lesser vows for laypeople (Anuvratas), including ahimsa (non-violence), truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession.
  • Colors, Tastes, and Sensory Qualities: Discussion of five basic colors, five tastes, and the five sensory objects (sound, form, smell, taste, touch) and their relationship to the soul's engagement and downfall.
  • Stages of Practice (Pratimas): Enumeration of five stages of spiritual practice for lay followers.
  • Stationary Beings (Sthavara): Classification of souls based on their single sense (one-sensed beings) and their respective bodies and lords.
  • Knowledge Types: Discussion of Avadhijñana (clairvoyance) and Kevalajñana (omniscience), and the circumstances under which they manifest or are obstructed.
  • Conduct and Abstinence: Various categories related to the conduct of ascetics, including different types of vows, abstinence, and practices.
  • Dharma (Righteousness) and its Aspects: Enumeration of various principles of righteous conduct, virtues, and actions.
  • Cosmic Elements: Discussions related to the structure of the universe, including mountains, rivers, oceans, celestial beings, and their abodes.
  • Social and Ethical Principles: Concepts like prudence, virtue, adherence to principles, and conduct within society.
  • Mahanirjara and Mahaparyavasana: States of great soul purification and ultimate liberation, often linked to acts of service and devotion.
  • Causes of Conflict and Resolution: Discusses reasons for discord within the community and its resolution.
  • Ascetic Practices: Various types of ascetic practices, dietary restrictions, and conduct, including different types of begging (charaka), fasting (ayambila), and living habits.
  • Ascetic Postures and Conduct: Detailed descriptions of various ascetic postures and prescribed conduct.
  • Pancha Koti (Ninefold Purity): Discusses nine levels of purity in alms-seeking.
  • Types of Souls and Their Paths: Classification of souls and their paths of movement and existence.
  • Types of Bodies: Explanation of the five types of bodies (audarika, vaikriya, ahara, taijasa, karmana).
  • Mahaviras's Teachings: Highlights teachings related to conduct, virtues, and ascetic practices.

• Sixth Sthana (Pages 105-149):

  • Qualities of a Spiritual Leader (Gani): Enumeration of ten essential qualities for a leader of the spiritual community.
  • Reasons for Ascetic Conduct: Discusses ten reasons why an ascetic monk or nun might be excused for certain actions, particularly in relation to touching or assisting others.
  • Types of Souls and Their Transmigration: Classifies souls into six categories and describes their migratory paths.
  • Six Realms of Existence: Mentions six types of beings and their classifications.
  • Virtues of Ascetics: Discusses the conduct and virtues of ascetics, including their adherence to principles and practices.
  • Types of Knowledge and Conduct: Differentiates between the knowledge and conduct of enlightened beings (Kevali) and those still in ignorance (Chaddmastha).
  • Numerical Categories: Enumerates ten items related to various aspects of the universe and existence.
  • Types of Food and Their Effects: Discusses ten types of food and their impact on the body and mind.
  • Causes of Poison and Its Effects: Details ten categories related to poison.
  • Purity and Defilement: Discusses ten aspects of purity and defilement in various contexts.
  • Fasting and Dietary Practices: Elaborates on ten types of fasting and dietary rules.
  • Types of Ascetic Conduct: Describes ten distinct ways ascetics conduct themselves.
  • Types of Ascetic Austerities: Enumerates ten kinds of external and internal austerities.
  • Types of Speech: Discusses ten classifications of speech.
  • Celestial Beings and Their Armies: Details the structure and classifications of celestial beings and their armies, including their commanders and formations.
  • Types of Bodies: Reaffirms the five types of bodies.
  • Types of Knowledge: Lists ten types of knowledge.
  • Types of Practice: Describes ten stages or practices in spiritual progression.
  • Types of Refinement: Enumerates ten types of purification or refinement.
  • Types of Conduct: Outlines ten categories of conduct.
  • Cosmological and Geographical Details: Mentions ten great rivers, ten capital cities, and various geographical features.
  • Chronological Cycles: Discusses the ten types of time periods.
  • Types of Donation: Enumerates ten types of charity.
  • Types of Rituals and Observances: Lists ten types of ritualistic observances.
  • Types of Speech and Arguments: Discusses ten types of speech and argumentative methods.
  • Types of Meditation and Concentration: Mentions ten forms of meditative states.
  • Types of Philosophies and Doctrines: Enumerates ten schools of thought or philosophical systems.
  • Types of Faults and Virtues: Lists ten types of faults and virtues.
  • Types of Enlightenment: Describes ten stages of enlightenment or spiritual realization.
  • Types of Merit and Demerit: Classifies ten types of meritorious and demeritorious actions.

• Seventh Sthana (Pages 174-209):

  • Reasons for Monastic Mobility (Ganaprakrama): Explains seven reasons why an ascetic might leave one monastic community for another or practice solitary wandering.
  • Types of Wrongful Knowledge (Vibhangajñana): Details seven types of distorted or erroneous knowledge.
  • Types of Attachment and Non-Attachment: Discusses seven types of attachment and non-attachment.
  • Types of Restraint and Non-Restraint: Explains seven levels of self-control and lack thereof.
  • Types of Living Beings: Classifies living beings into seven categories.
  • Types of Ascetic Practices: Lists seven specific ascetic practices.
  • Types of Famines and Their Causes: Discusses seven causes leading to famines.
  • Types of Fear: Enumerates seven types of fears.
  • Characteristics of Ignorant and Enlightened Beings: Describes seven indicators for distinguishing between an ignorant person and an enlightened being.
  • Types of Mountains and Rivers: Mentions seven great mountains and seven great rivers.
  • Types of Purity: Discusses seven aspects of purity.
  • Types of Defilement: Enumerates seven types of defilement.
  • Types of Celestial Beings: Classifies celestial beings into seven categories.
  • Types of Celestial Beings' Abodes: Describes seven types of celestial abodes.
  • Types of Conduct: Lists seven categories of conduct.
  • Types of Asceticism: Outlines seven types of asceticism.
  • Types of Ascetic Postures: Details seven specific ascetic postures.
  • Types of Offerings: Mentions seven types of offerings.
  • Types of Wealth: Enumerates seven types of wealth.
  • Types of Purity: Discusses seven aspects of purity.
  • Types of Armies and Commanders: Details seven types of armies and their commanders.
  • Types of Numinous Beings: Mentions seven categories of celestial beings.
  • Types of Celestial Abodes: Describes seven types of celestial abodes.
  • Types of Rivers and Lakes: Lists seven great rivers and seven great lakes.
  • Types of Calendrical Systems: Discusses seven types of calendars.
  • Types of Signs and Omens: Enumerates seven types of auspicious and inauspicios signs.
  • Types of Knowledge: Lists seven types of knowledge.

• Eighth Sthana (Pages 224-265):

  • Qualities of an Ascetic Suitable for Solitary Wandering: Lists eight essential qualities for an ascetic practicing solitary wandering.
  • Types of Birth and Rebirth (Yoni Sangraha): Explains eight types of birth and transmigration paths.
  • Eight Karmic Principles: Enumerates the eight types of karmic principles that bind the soul.
  • Types of Strength and Power: Discusses ten categories of strength.
  • Types of Conduct: Outlines ten categories of conduct.
  • Types of Speech and Arguments: Discusses ten types of speech and argumentative methods.
  • Types of Meditation and Concentration: Mentions ten forms of meditative states.
  • Types of Philosophies and Doctrines: Enumerates ten schools of thought or philosophical systems.
  • Types of Faults and Virtues: Lists ten types of faults and virtues.
  • Types of Enlightenment: Describes ten stages of enlightenment or spiritual realization.
  • Types of Merit and Demerit: Classifies ten types of meritorious and demeritorious actions.
  • Types of Famines and Their Causes: Discusses ten causes leading to famines.
  • Types of Fear: Enumerates ten types of fears.
  • Characteristics of Ignorant and Enlightened Beings: Describes ten indicators for distinguishing between an ignorant person and an enlightened being.
  • Types of Celestial Beings and Their Armies: Details the structure and classifications of celestial beings and their armies, including their commanders and formations.
  • Types of Bodies: Reaffirms the five types of bodies.
  • Types of Knowledge: Lists ten types of knowledge.
  • Types of Practice: Describes ten stages or practices in spiritual progression.
  • Types of Refinement: Enumerates ten types of purification or refinement.
  • Types of Conduct: Outlines ten categories of conduct.
  • Cosmic Elements: Discussions related to the structure of the universe, including mountains, rivers, oceans, celestial beings, and their abodes.
  • Social and Ethical Principles: Concepts like prudence, virtue, adherence to principles, and conduct within society.
  • Mahanirjara and Mahaparyavasana: States of great soul purification and ultimate liberation, often linked to acts of service and devotion.
  • Causes of Conflict and Resolution: Discusses reasons for discord within the community and its resolution.
  • Ascetic Practices: Various types of ascetic practices, dietary restrictions, and conduct, including different types of vows, fasting, and living habits.
  • Ascetic Postures and Conduct: Detailed descriptions of various ascetic postures and prescribed conduct.
  • Pancha Koti (Ninefold Purity): Discusses nine levels of purity in alms-seeking.
  • Types of Souls and Their Paths: Classifies souls and their paths of movement and existence.
  • Mahaviras's Teachings: Highlights teachings related to conduct, virtues, and ascetic practices.

• Ninth Sthana (Pages 275-303):

  • Reasons for Monastic Mobility (Ganaprakrama): Explains nine reasons why an ascetic might leave one monastic community for another or practice solitary wandering.
  • Types of Wrongful Knowledge (Vibhangajñana): Details nine types of distorted or erroneous knowledge.
  • Types of Attachment and Non-Attachment: Discusses nine types of attachment and non-attachment.
  • Types of Restraint and Non-Restraint: Explains nine levels of self-control and lack thereof.
  • Types of Living Beings: Classifies living beings into nine categories.
  • Types of Ascetic Practices: Lists nine specific ascetic practices.
  • Types of Famines and Their Causes: Discusses nine causes leading to famines.
  • Types of Fear: Enumerates nine types of fears.
  • Characteristics of Ignorant and Enlightened Beings: Describes nine indicators for distinguishing between an ignorant person and an enlightened being.
  • Types of Celestial Beings and Their Armies: Details the structure and classifications of celestial beings and their armies, including their commanders and formations.
  • Types of Bodies: Reaffirms the five types of bodies.
  • Types of Knowledge: Lists nine types of knowledge.
  • Types of Practice: Describes nine stages or practices in spiritual progression.
  • Types of Refinement: Enumerates nine types of purification or refinement.
  • Types of Conduct: Outlines nine categories of conduct.
  • Cosmic Elements: Discussions related to the structure of the universe, including mountains, rivers, oceans, celestial beings, and their abodes.
  • Social and Ethical Principles: Concepts like prudence, virtue, adherence to principles, and conduct within society.
  • Mahanirjara and Mahaparyavasana: States of great soul purification and ultimate liberation, often linked to acts of service and devotion.
  • Causes of Conflict and Resolution: Discusses reasons for discord within the community and its resolution.
  • Ascetic Practices: Various types of ascetic practices, dietary restrictions, and conduct, including different types of vows, fasting, and living habits.
  • Ascetic Postures and Conduct: Detailed descriptions of various ascetic postures and prescribed conduct.
  • Pancha Koti (Ninefold Purity): Discusses nine levels of purity in alms-seeking.
  • Types of Souls and Their Paths: Classifies souls and their paths of movement and existence.
  • Mahaviras's Teachings: Highlights teachings related to conduct, virtues, and ascetic practices.

• Tenth Sthana (Pages 293-378):

  • Reasons for Worldly Existence and Liberation: Discusses ten reasons for continued worldly existence and liberation.
  • Ten Types of Delusion: Enumerates ten categories of wrong beliefs or delusions.
  • Ten Types of Speech: Classifies speech into ten categories.
  • Ten Types of Suffering: Details ten types of suffering.
  • Ten Causes of Anger: Lists ten reasons for the arising of anger.
  • Types of Restraint and Non-Restraint: Explains ten levels of self-control and lack thereof.
  • Types of Meditation and Concentration: Mentions ten forms of meditative states.
  • Types of Philosophies and Doctrines: Enumerates ten schools of thought or philosophical systems.
  • Types of Faults and Virtues: Lists ten types of faults and virtues.
  • Types of Enlightenment: Describes ten stages of enlightenment or spiritual realization.
  • Types of Merit and Demerit: Classifies ten types of meritorious and demeritorious actions.
  • Types of Famines and Their Causes: Discusses ten causes leading to famines.
  • Types of Fear: Enumerates ten types of fears.
  • Characteristics of Ignorant and Enlightened Beings: Describes ten indicators for distinguishing between an ignorant person and an enlightened being.
  • Types of Celestial Beings and Their Armies: Details the structure and classifications of celestial beings and their armies, including their commanders and formations.
  • Types of Bodies: Reaffirms the five types of bodies.
  • Types of Knowledge: Lists ten types of knowledge.
  • Types of Practice: Describes ten stages or practices in spiritual progression.
  • Types of Refinement: Enumerates ten types of purification or refinement.
  • Types of Conduct: Outlines ten categories of conduct.
  • Cosmic Elements: Discussions related to the structure of the universe, including mountains, rivers, oceans, celestial beings, and their abodes.
  • Social and Ethical Principles: Concepts like prudence, virtue, adherence to principles, and conduct within society.
  • Mahanirjara and Mahaparyavasana: States of great soul purification and ultimate liberation, often linked to acts of service and devotion.
  • Causes of Conflict and Resolution: Discusses reasons for discord within the community and its resolution.
  • Ascetic Practices: Various types of ascetic practices, dietary restrictions, and conduct, including different types of vows, fasting, and living habits.
  • Ascetic Postures and Conduct: Detailed descriptions of various ascetic postures and prescribed conduct.
  • Pancha Koti (Ninefold Purity): Discusses nine levels of purity in alms-seeking.
  • Types of Souls and Their Paths: Classifies souls and their paths of movement and existence.
  • Mahaviras's Teachings: Highlights teachings related to conduct, virtues, and ascetic practices.

Publication Details:

• This is the fourth edition of the "Shri Sthananga Sutra," Volume 2.
• The translation and commentary are by Pt. Shri Ghevarchandji Banthiya "Virputra."
• The publication is by Shri Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskriti Rakshak Sangh, Jodhpur Branch, based in Beawar, Rajasthan.
• The publication is marked "For Personal & Private Use Only."

Overall Impression:

The "Sthananga Sutra Part 02" is a detailed and systematic exposition of Jain principles, organized numerically. It serves as a comprehensive reference for a wide array of Jain philosophical and practical concepts, highlighting the importance of structured knowledge and adherence to the teachings of the Tirthankaras. The inclusion of difficult words' meanings, commentary (Bhavartha), and explanations (Vivechan) makes it an accessible resource for understanding these complex subjects.