Saman Suttam
# Saman Suttam

Saman Suttam is the religious text created in 1974 by a committee consisting of representatives of each of the major sects of Jainism, Digambaras and Svetambaras, 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 (Ardhamagadhi etc.) texts, and as a result of efforts undertaken by Vinoba Bhave. It was critically examined by several monks of different orders including Muni (now Acharya) Vidyanandaji, Muni (later Acharya) Sushil Kumarji, Muni Janakavijaya, Muni Nathamal (later Acharya Mahaprajna), as well as scholars like A.N. Upadhye, Darbari Lal Kothia, Agarachand Nahta, et al. Finally in an assembly on 12 December 1974 it was approved by all.

The text of Saman Suttam (its title referring to sayings of Sramans) includes 44 chapters with topics such as Mangal Sutra (on auspiciousness), Atma Sutra (on the soul), Moksha Marga Sutra (on the path to liberation), and is divided into four sections. Its 756 verses are compiled from Jain scriptures. Whence, as sourced, the textual content originates from the same age as the scripture it consolidates (printed over the years in English, Gujarati, Hindi, and Italian).

Whether it has been widely distributed and taught among sects, in place of traditional texts (which vary to the extent an oral tradition has been considered lost or not), Jain scholars have maintained that this work embodies essential principles of the Jain religion and philosophy, comprehensive as a textbook (though relatively brief as a body of work), the Saman Suttam (like the Tattvartha Sutra) is universal to the Jain religion, for what its followers share in common.

Contents (Saman Suttam, 2nd ed. 1999)

## Part I, Source of Illumination

1. Precepts on the Auspicious 2. Precepts on the Jina's Teachings 3. Precepts on the Religious Order 4. Precepts on the Scriptural Exposition 5. Precepts on the Transmigratory Cycle 6. Precepts on the Karmas 7. Precepts on the Wrong faith 8. Precepts on the Renunciation of Attachment 9. Precepts on the Religion 10. Precepts on the Self-restraint 11. Precepts on the Non-possessiveness 12. Precepts on the Non-violence 13. Precepts on the Vigilance 14. Precepts on the Education 15. Precepts on the Soul

## Part II, Path of Liberation

16. Precepts on the Path of Liberation 17. Precepts on Three Jewels 18. Precepts on Right Faith 19. Precepts on Right Knowledge 20. Precepts on Right Conduct 21. Precepts on Spiritual Realization 22. Precepts on the Two Paths of Religion 23. Precepts on Householder's Religion 24. Precepts on Religion of Monks 25. Precepts on Vows 26. Precepts on Carefulness and Self-Control 27. Precepts on Obligatory Duties 28. Precepts on Penance 29. Precepts on Meditation 30. Precepts on Reflection 31. Precepts on Soul-colouring 32. Precepts on Spiritual Progress 33. Precepts on Passionless Death

## Part III, Metaphysics

34. Precepts on Fundamental 35. Precepts on Substance 36. Precepts on Universe

## Part IV, Theory of Relativity

37. Precepts on Non-absolutism 38. Precepts on Valid Knowledge 39. Precepts on View-point 40. Precepts on Theory of Relativity and Seven Predictions 41. Precepts on Reconciliation or Synthesis 42. Precepts on Installation 43. Conclusion 44. Hymn to Mahavira

