
Background
The Kalpa-sūtra is the most frequently illustrated Jain text of the Śvetāmbara sect. It is read and recited by monks in the festival of Paryuṣaṇ, which takes place in August to September each year.
The first part of the Kalpa-sūtra deals with the lives of the Jinas, especially Mahāvīra, Pārśva, Nemi and Ṛṣabha. It features almost identical stories of their births, lives as princes, renunciation, enlightenment and emancipation.
The second part – Sthavirāvali – is a praise of the early teachers of Jainism. The third part – Sāmācārī – deals with particular monastic rules to be followed during the rainy season.
Glossary
- Source:
The British Library Board
- Shelfmark:
Or. 13700
- Author:
unknown
- Date of creation:
1445
- Folio number:
45 verso
- Total number of folios:
62
- Place of creation:
Rājanagara (modern Ahmedabad), Gujarat
- Language:
Ardhamāgadhī Prākrit in Devanāgarī script
- Medium:
opaque watercolour with gold
- Size:
26 x 11 cms
- Copyright:
CC0 1.0 (Creative Commons Public Domain)
- Image Copyright: