Jain Kashthapat Chitra

SR No.: 006752
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vasudev Smart
Publisher: Omkarsuri Gyanmandir Surat
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 156
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 14 MB

Page 15

On the Foot-steps of the Glorious Traditions of Religious Arts...
India has offered three major religions to the world community viz. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Jainism cannot claim to have a very large following. Nevertheless, Jainism is, by far, the most important and impressive of the three.
With a view to lead humanity on the path of salvation, Jainism has offered clear and well-defined doctrines of anekantvad, biology, astronomy, geography, astrology, medical science and last but not least an extremely rich literature. This rich contribution has been hailed by many leading thinkers of the world as one that has gone into laying the foundation of the culture of the present world.
Its contribution in the fields of sculpture, architecture and painting (including murals) has established glorious landmarks in the fields of all visual arts.
The Jains have not stopped at merely laying down tenets that are among the best. They have inspired and fostered for centuries rich traditions of religious arts in various parts of India. The best that India has to offer to the world in the field of sculpture can be seen in the Jain temples of Delwada (Abu). Similarly the best in the field of architecture can be seen in the Jain temple with its innumerous magnificent pillars at Ranakpur (Rajasthan). Also noteworthy are the wall paintings in the cave temples at Sittannavasal (South India) belonging to the seventh century, equalling the highest glory of the Ajanta paintings and the paintings of Kalp Sutras at Devshanapada (Patan, Gujarat). The Jains spend lavishly for adorning their places of worship such as temples and monasteries; for such adornments, they believe, help them go near God. Arts and faith, thus, become inseperably one for them. According to this tradition, the creation of Kashtapat paintngs is the creation of religious arts.
Jain Kashthapat Chitra : 1
Jain Education Intemational