Jain Thought and Culture

SR No.: 011055
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: G C Pandey
Publisher: University of Rajasthan
Total Pages: 195
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 143

Jainism in Early Archaeology
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tively late phenomena It is also important to note that with the Gupta period some of the Tirthankara sculptures especially from the Akola hoard, appear clad in a dhoti This may be treated as an important changie n the art of western India Jainas also popularised the Sarvatobhadra pratima, commonly called caumukhi It is a feature peculiar to Jaina art and was not known to the Buddhists 77
From the stylistic point of view the early images of Jinas are crude and heavy A rigid look, lack of elegence or softness are the main features The austere concept of the Tirthankaras could not allow much embellishment to be introduced in their sculptural representations The principal theme of the plastic art of this period is concerned chiefly with the representation of a disciplined body and a conquered mind This has been reflected on the face of Buddha and other divinities but not on the face of Jain Tirthankaras
Finally, as regards monuments, the existing viharas, caves and remains of stupas show that the early Jains have not contributed towards monuments on the same scale as the Buddhists and Hindus Early temples of the Jain faith are not known
77 Although Ghosh is of the opinion that this tradition is also known to the Buddhists as they carved four images of Buddha around the votive stupas, yet it cannot be compared with Sarvatobhadrika prutima in which a slab is used to carve the four images For Ghosh's comments see, Jain art and Architecture, Vol 1,d , in,