Jaina Art and Architecture Vol 01

Author(s): A Ghosh
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

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CHAPTER 5
THE ETHICAL BACKGROUND
IN ASSESSING THE ETHICAL BACKGROUND OF JAINA ART AND ARCHITECTURE, it is necessary to see what art and architectural form the Jainas have created all over the country through the centuries. Their contributions are a part and parcel of the Indian heritage; still, in view of their religio-ethical values, they can be taken up as a unit of study.
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Among the representative arts, the Jaina Bhandaras possess rich collections of manuscripts. In fact, the study of their scripts would help us to mark the evolution of writing in different parts of India. There are miniature paintings in the manuscripts, especially in west India and to a small extent in south India. Then there are paintings in some caves of the south. There are representations of the Meru, Nandisvara-dvipa, samavasaraṇa, māna-stambha, caityavrkşa, stúpa, etc. There are caves dug by the Jainas, once intended for the residence of ascetics, but some later on taking the form of cave-temples; temples with images of one or more Jina; statues of the Tirthankaras, the Siddhas, Acaryas, Sadhus; and those of Yakşa, Yakşi, etc.
In this context it is necessary to understand the Jaina attitude towards arts in general and towards divinity, worship and objects and places of worship in particular. Jainism does not subscribe to the popular idea of God as some supreme being invested with the power of creating the universe and sitting in judgement over the destinies of all the beings. But the Jaina God is the highest spiritual ideal for every one who wants to progress on the path of religion. The spirit in every one of us is in the grip of karmans from beginningless times. Karmans give their fruits automatically according to their nature, duration, intensity and quantum. There is no escape from them unless one experiences their consequences, good or bad. In all this God has no part to play. If Jainism admits worship of the divinity, it is not for gaining any favours or for escaping calamities, but for evolving and attaining the great qualities which are found in the Supreme Spirit which is the final, spiritual stage of the spirit in every one of us. It is well-put in the mangala verse of the Tattvärtha-sutra:
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