Who is traditionally credited with writing the Jain Kalpasutra?

CONCEPT

Traditional authorship of ancient religious texts is identified by matching the text’s sectarian tradition, subject matter, and transmitted attribution. Such attributions express a historical tradition rather than a modern claim of individually documented composition.

APPLICATION

The Kalpasutra is a Shvetambara Jain text containing accounts of the Tirthankaras, especially Mahavira, and rules for monastic life. Jain tradition attributes its compilation to the acharya Bhadrabahu. Therefore, the named author among the choices is Bhadrabahu.

CONTRAST AND CROSS-CHECK

• Katyayan is associated with Sanskrit grammar and the varttika tradition.

• Buddhaghosa is a Theravada Buddhist commentator associated with the Visuddhimagga.

• Nagsen (Nagasena) is the Buddhist monk in the dialogue Milindapanha.

The other three names belong to Sanskrit grammatical or Buddhist traditions, whereas Bhadrabahu belongs to the Jain monastic tradition connected with this text.

RESULT

Thus, the traditionally credited author is Bhadrabahu.