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CHAPTER IX
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
The contribution of the Jainas to art and architecture is great. It has enriched the whole body of Indian art and architecture. It has also provided certain special forms, symbols etc. The Jainas are justly famous for their patronage to art and architecture. By Jaina art and architecture we mean specimens of art and architecture created under the patronage of the Jainas. The earliest historical reference, to some forms of Jaina art is associated with king Khāravela of Kalinga. The earliest known Jaina architecture belongs to the Mauryan period. Jaina Iconography :
It is generally agreed that originally Brāhmanical iconography did not include idol-worship or image-worship. As regards non-Brāhmaṇical iconography, it seems that the introduction of image-worship of the Jina was earlier than that of the Buddha. In other words, the introduction of image-worship in Jaina iconography was probably earlier than that in Buddhist iconography.
Even in Jaina iconography, introduction of the Jinaimage, i. e., the image of a tirthankara, seems to be a later development. No Jaina canonical text refers to images of or shrines dedicated to any of the 24 tirthankaras. They mention a number of caityas (shrines) which were dedicated to Yakşas. There is a general reference to arhat-caitya (jinacaitya) in the Vyākhyāprajñapti (Bhagavats) and Upāsakadaśā Ariga Sūtras. The Jñátadharmakathā makes a general reference. to the worship of Jina-images by Draupadi. We come across descriptions of eternal images (śāśvata pratimas) in the Rajapraśniya, Sthånānga and Jivābhigama Sūtras.
