Page Text
________________
forms of worship like the sixteen forms of (Sodasopacari) worship of Hindu tradition. Not only was the Jina-idol decorated with clothes and ornaments but fruits and naivedya etc. started being offered. It was indeed ironical that the Tīrthankaras or liberated souls were being invited and abandoned after worship along withNavagrahas etc. because of the irrational imitationof the customs of worship of Hindus. Though Svetambaras were more influenced by this, Digambaras could not remain uninfluenced. Different types of mantras and Tantras entered in their rituals. Yajñas were performed in Jina temples. The religious system of Śramaņa tradition which was free from Varna and caste system was abandoned. On the contrary, it emphasized that a low caste Sudra cannot attain liberation; a social taboo was also imposed upon the water offered by a sudra.
Though in the 12th-13thcentury AD, there were many competent philosophers and writers like Acārya Hemacandra, still it is not known that there was a powerful and meaningful attempt made to liberate Jaina tradition from the influences of other contemporary religious traditions though on the basis of attempts to reform and on the basis of difference of opinions different sects and sub-sects in the Svetambara tradition came into existence such as Tapagaccha, Acalagaccha etc. but still, till around 15th century AD Jaina Sangha remained the victim of circumstances.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF JAINAS IN THE FIELD OF ART AND LITERATURE DURING MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Though this period was a period of laxity of conduct and love of comforts among the monks, still in the field of art and literature the contribution of Jainas is excellent. Khajuraho,
101 | Jainism and its History
| SR No. | 032590 |
| Book Title | Jainism And Its History |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Sagarmal Jain |
| Publisher | Research Foundation for Jainology |
| Publication Year | 2018 |
| Total Pages | 328 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 34 MB |