Page Text
________________
Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth - II
civilization is estimated to be approximately 7000 years old BC. (Vol IV/21F/P.1193-1201). The pre-history of Indian sub continent began at Mehrgarh in Baluchistan in about 7000 BC with the transition from hunting, food gathering and nomadic to agriculture, animal husbandry and village life. To date, the rice and wheat dated in India were showing clustering of ages around 4000 to 5000 years before present. Recently however dating of coal found with rice at Lahurdewa, in Sant Kabir District, (U.P) has given an age of 10,200 years to 11,200 years. These samples were collected by Prof. I.B. Singh of Lucknow University and Rakesh Tiwari of State Archaeology Department and dated by M.G. Yadav at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad using the Carbon-14 dating method. It is possible that even older sites will be found but this age of 11000 years gives the nearest limit to Rushabhdevji's period. There are natural caves at around 5900 m in Kailash and abandoned settlements on a curvilinear ridge above Gyangdrag Gompa. The former looks recent whereas the latter goes back to the historical period. A formal statement on this can be made once these structures are investigated by the geo-archaeologist preferably having expertise on mountain archaeology.
6. Non Violence and Lord Mahavir Mahatma Gandhi of India and Dr. Martin Luther King of USA showed us the non-violent way of peaceful demonstrations in 20th century. The principle of non violence has a great significance in the present war-torn world. This principle was originally taught 2600 years ago by Lord Mahavir (known as PHELWA in Tibetan language), the 24th Tirthankar in Jain religion. He preached "Live and let Live”. Ahimsa (Non - violence) was an important component of Mahavir's philosophy of life. This ideal of Ahimsa was realized by Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jainism is another stream of spiritual renaissance which seeks to refine and sublimate man's conduct and emphasizes Ahimsa, non-violence as the means to achieve it (Vol X/67 D to J/P.4364-4407) Jainism (GYAL PHAL PA & CHEAR PU PA) is the one of the oldest living religion of the world (Vol XII/85/P.5400-5465 & Vol XI/76A/P.4807-4827). It should be noted that according to Jain tradition Rushabhdev (Called KHYU CHOK) was the first among the 24 Tirthankar's and Mahavir was the last (Vol III/15C/P.990-1002).
7. Ashtapad Temple / Palace This brings us to the origin of civilization as mentioned in our introductory paragraphs. According to Jain scriptures, Rushabhdev taught principles of defense, art and agriculture to the society. After establishing his kingdom and teaching the people about civilization, Rushabhdev became a Monk, did penance at Ashtapad mountain in Kailash Tibet area and attained salvation there (Vol VIII/52H/P.3657-3671). His son King Bharat (PHOO) constructed a Temple / palace (SANGYE SHHUK THI, YEN LAK GEDEN NA GYAD DEN, EIGHT THRONE, and ASHTAPAD TEMPLE) with gems stones (Vol X/67B/P4352-4354) on Ashtapad Mountain as a memorial to commemorate the "Nirvan of Rushabhdev". The temple was Omni directional which means
A proposal for further research
(440
| SR No. | 009860 |
| Book Title | Ashtapad Maha Tirth 02 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Rajnikant Shah, Others |
| Publisher | USA Jain Center America NY |
| Publication Year | 2012 |
| Total Pages | 532 |
| Language | Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati |
| Classification | Book_Devnagari |
| File Size | 26 MB |