Jain Journal 1996 07

SR No.: 520123
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

Page 41

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol XXXI. No. 1. July 1996 meditative positions have a strong connection between the roots of Jain tradition and the mysterious and elusive Indus valley culture."
36
Dr Robert DeCaroli referring to many images like the tree, the meditator, the swastika, the snake and the bull, connects them with later Jain tradition. However, he notes that their incorporation into the Hindu and Buddhist traditions make any exclusive ciaim for Jainism possible.5
Citing archaeological and textual evidence. Dr Katherine Harper observes that the early culture within India had espoused an egalitarian attitude toward women, and it was eroded by the advance of the Aryans. who established patriarchy as the norm. Noting the sole exception in the orders of the Jain nuns. Harper finds this egalitarian attitude toward Jain women linked with pre-Aryan cultural form."
In the history of ecclesiastic Jainism, there are twenty-four Jinas, born during the pre-and-protohistoric periods to historic times. The pre-historic Jinas were two: Rṣabha, whose archaeological remnants are found in the Indus Valley culture, and Ajita, whose remnants are not known. In the proto-historic period, there were eighteen Jinas. from Sambhava to Munisuvrata. In the period circa 3000 through 2000 B.C.E. Sambhava was followed by Abhinandana (4), Sumati (5). Padmaprabha (6) Supärsva (7). Candraprabha (8). Puspadanta (9). and Sitala (10). During whose time saw the coming of the Aryans and the rise of the Vedic Aryans. In the period circa 2000 through 1500 B.C.E. Sreyamsa (11). Vasuptnya (12) Vimala (13) Aranta (14). Dharma (5). Santi (16). Kunto (17). Ara (18). Mallinatha (19) Munisuvrata (20). were said to have appeared successively. Parasurama, a Hindu avatar was said to be a contemporary of Tirthankara, Ara. The growth of the Vedic culture was apparently evident at the time of Mallinatha: and in the time of Munisuvrata, it is said that Dasaratha and Rama attempted reconciliation between the Śramanic and the Vedic systems, leading to a gradual Aryanization of the country and their Brahmanical expansion.
Modern scholar Dr T.G. Kalghatgi contends, based on the Hindu source material, that Nami (21), Aristanemi (22)-cousin of Krishna of the famous Gita, were historic personages. Thus, the account brings out some specifics in reference to the period 1400 to 890 B.C.E. It 4. Jinamarjari, Vol. 13. April 1996.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Jainism in America, p. 53.
Ibia., p. 67