Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra
Encyclopedia
Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra is a Jain text composed by Acharya
Samantabhadra of the Digambara
tradition of Jainism
, who lived around 3rd century CE and was originally from Kanchipuram
, Tamil Nadu
. It is the earliest and the best-known śrāvakācāra.
A śrāvakācāra discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka
or Jain lay practitioner. Many śrāvakācāras were composed by acharyas. During 5th century to 13th century, about 50 śrāvakācāra were composed.
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
Samantabhadra of the Digambara
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
tradition of Jainism
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
, who lived around 3rd century CE and was originally from Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. It is the earliest and the best-known śrāvakācāra.
A śrāvakācāra discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka
Sravaka
Shravaka or Śrāvaka or Sāvaka means "hearer" or, more generally, "disciple".This term is used by both Buddhists and Jains. In Jainism, a shravaka is any lay Jain...
or Jain lay practitioner. Many śrāvakācāras were composed by acharyas. During 5th century to 13th century, about 50 śrāvakācāra were composed.