View source for Saman Suttam

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{{morefootnotes|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox religious text
| religion = [[Jainism]]
| period = 1974
}}
{{Jainism}}
'''''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]].<ref>Various Facets of Saman Suttam, {{ISBN|8170392829}}</ref> 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 [[Śramaṇa|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<ref>Saman Suttam: il canone del jainismo, {{ISBN|8804491957}}</ref>).

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<ref>Jain Way of Life, {{ISBN|0977317854}}</ref>), Jain scholars have maintained<ref>Seminar to revive book on Jainism, Hindustan Times,
19 November 2010</ref> that this work embodies essential principles of the Jain religion and philosophy, comprehensive as a textbook (though relatively brief as a body of work),<ref>Jainism - Religion of Compassion and Ecology, Jaina Education Committee, 2009</ref> the Saman Suttam (like the Tattvartha Sutra) is universal to the Jain religion, for what its followers share in common.

[[File:Black book icon.svg]] Contents (Saman Suttam, 2nd ed. 1999)

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

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

;Part III, Metaphysics:
34. Precepts on Fundamental<br />
35. Precepts on Substance<br />
36. Precepts on Universe

;Part IV, Theory of Relativity:
37. Precepts on Non-absolutism<br />
38. Precepts on Valid Knowledge<br />
39. Precepts on View-point<br />
40. Precepts on Theory of Relativity and Seven Predictions<br />
41. Precepts on Reconciliation or Synthesis<br />
42. Precepts on Installation<br />
43. Conclusion<br />
44. Hymn to Mahavira

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
For Saman Suttam in Prakrit: https://web.archive.org/web/20091231210155/https://jainworld.com/samansuttam/samansuttam_sans.pdf<br />
For Saman Suttam transliteration and translation in English: http://www.jainworld.com/samansuttam/samansuttam_eng.pdf

For Saman Suttam transliteration and translation in English in html format: http://www.jainworld.com/scriptures/samansuttam.asp

{{Jain Agamas}}
{{Jainism Topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Jain texts]]
[[Category:1974 books]]


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