Leaf from a Kalpa Sutra (Jain Book of Rituals) 15th century

This 15th-century leaf from a *Kalpa Sutra* (Jain Book of Rituals) is a beautiful example of Jain manuscript art, depicting a page of text written in black ink with red accents. The text is written in Prakrit, the language of ancient India, and the artwork is attributed to Bhadrabahu, a Jain monk who lived in the 4th century BCE. The use of red for emphasis is typical of Jain manuscript art. This leaf from the *Kalpa Sutra* is a valuable insight into the religious and cultural practices of Jainism.