Acaranga Sutra

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The Acaranga Sutra (or Acharanga) is the first of the eleven Angas, part of the agamas (religious texts)which were compiled based on the teachings of Lord Mahavira.

The Acaranga Sutra discusses the conduct of a Jain monk. In antiquity, Acaranga was the first text that was studied by the Jain monks.

The existing text of the Acaranga Sutra is used by the Svetambara sect of Jainism. It was recompiled and edited by KshamaShraman Devardhigani, who headed the council held at Valabhi 980 years after Lord Mahavir's Nirvana. The Digambaras do not recognize the existing text, and regard the original text as having been lost in its original form. The Digambara Mulachara text includes the Digambara tradition derived from Acharanga.

Introduction

The Acaranga Sutra is the oldest agam, from a linguistic point of view, written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. The Acaranga Sutra contains two books, or Srutaskandhas. The first book is the older part, to which other treatises were later added. It describes the conduct and behavior of ascetic life: the mode of begging for food, bowl, clothes, conduct while walking and speaking and regulation of possessions by ascetics. It also describes the penance of Mahavira, the Great Hero.

The second book is divided into four sections called Kulas. There were originally five Kûlâs, but the fifth, the Nisîhiyagghana, is now reckoned as a separate work. The first and second parts lay down rules for conduct of ascetics.

Quotations from Akaranga Sutra

On Ahimsa

I so pronounce that all the omniscients of all times, state, speak, propagate, and elaborate that nothing which breathes, which exists, which lives, or which has essence or potential of life, should be destroyed or ruled over, or subjugated, or harmed, or denied of its essence or potential. This truth, propagated by the self-knowing omniscients, after understanding all there is in universe, is pure, undefileable, and eternal. In support of this Truth, I ask you a question - "Is sorrow or pain desirable to you ?" If you say "yes it is", it would be a lie. If you say, "No, It is not" you will be expressing the truth. What I want to add to the truth expressed by you is that, as sorrow or pain is not desirable to you, so it is to all which breath, exist, live or have any essence of life. To you and all, it is undesirable, and painful, and repugnant.

That which you consider worth destroying is (like) yourself.

That which you consider worth disciplining is (like) yourself.

That which you consider worth subjugating is (like) yourself.

That which you consider worth killing is (like) yourself.

The result of actions by you has to be borne by you, so do not destroy anything. ^[1]

Commentaries

Following are the commentaries on the Acaranga Sutra: ^[2]

1. Tîkâ of Silanka, also called Tattvâditya, said to have been finished in the 876 CE, with the help of Vâhari Sâdhu.
2. Dîpikâ of Jinahamsa Sûri, a teacher of the Brihat Kharatara Gakkha.
3. Pârsvakandra's Bâlâvabodha, generally closely follows the explanation of the older commentaries, more especially that of the Dîpikâ.

English Translations

Popular English Translations are :

1. Illustrated SRI ACARANGA SUTRA (2 volumes), Ed. by Pravartaka Amar Muni, Shrichand Surana Saras, Eng. tr. by Surendra Bothra, Prakrit Gatha - Hindi exposition - English exposition and Appendices
2. Acaranga Sutra, The Jaina Sutras, Jacobi, Hermann (1884)

Footnotes

External links

• Text of Akaranga Sutra Translated by Hermann Jacobi

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