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)

1. Precepts on the Auspicious
 * Part I, Source of Illumination:

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

16. Precepts on the Path of Liberation
 * Part II, 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

34. Precepts on Fundamental
 * Part III, Metaphysics:

35. Precepts on Substance

36. Precepts on Universe

37. Precepts on Non-absolutism
 * Part IV, Theory of Relativity:

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