Book of ritual (Kalpa-sūtra) and Story of the monk Kālaka (Kālakācārya-kathā)

Unknown · 1522

Manuscript of the 'Book of ritual' and 'Story of the monk Kālaka' (Kalpa-sūtra and Kālakācārya-kathā), written in Devanagari script with paintings in ink, colours and gold on paper; made in Gujarat, India, dated 1522. The Book of Ritual (Kalpa-sūtra) is among the most fundamental texts of the Jain faith. Often paired with stories of the pious monk Kālaka (Kālakācārya-kathā), it features episodes from the lives of the Jina: enlightened humans who guide others out of the cycle of rebirth. The last of the Jina born in this era was Mahāvīra, who is thought to have lived in the sixth century BC. The miniature paintings show scenes related to his life.