ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 285

B.1.3.3.2
Jaina Architecture ("Vatthu-vijjā' or Vāstu)
Dr. J. K. Upadhye
1.0 Introduction Three fundamental needs of human life are food, clothing and shelter. In today's session, am inclined to utilize this opportunity to discuss the last basic requirement of our's i.e. shelter (I prefer to call it residence here). Spiritual texts have mentioned residence as the source of attachment. Attachment provides the impetus for the improvement of energy. According to Jain thinkers, there are two types of conduct: 1. Attached to home 2. Detached from home.
The first category is of our concern as it brings out the relevance of architecture i.e. Vāstuśāstra. To overcome the difficulties of life, householders need a house of their own and a housewife is indispensable. No householder is complete without his wife. A householder's life is steered by activity. Activity is of two types: 1. Sinful 2. Holy / sacred
No institute has ever been opened for the teaching of sinful activities. Because of the accumulation of the previous activities, people engage themselves into sinful activities. No preaching is required for this. On the contrary, the tendency of acquiring knowledge is a sacred activity as it generates the great virtues like compassion, sympathy, beneficence for others, brotherhood, etc. These virtues are always present in the conscience of the person engaged in sacred activities. By leading a householder's life, one gets energy, peace and piousness. Therefore it is essential that any residence must have pious resources, superior art examples and, above all, non-violent behaviour should be its foundation.
1.1 The Relevance of Architecture Architecture means "the art of house construction". In Prakrit Language it is known as 'Vatthu-vijā' and in English it is called 'Architectonics'. Religion, astrology, rituals, etc. combined to relate vastu to spirituality. Due to this, Vāstuśāstra spread like a code of conduct. With it, the belief of society is associated. So Vāstuśāstra is more a thing of present although it belongs to the past.
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0