Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

Author(s): Renuka J Porwal
Publisher: Prachya Vidyapith

Page 22

1 The Place of Mathurā in Jainism
1.1 Introduction:
Indian culture is entirely based upon a thought of spirituality, inheritance of knowledge, religions and customs. The people follow norms assigned by recluses believing in the philosophy of Karma, rebirth, truth, nonviolence, existence of heaven, hell, as well as the immortality of soul. These beliefs have greatly affected the world-views and the life styles of the Indian people. Their common core is that actions of the body, speech and mind produced long term unseen results determining the type of rebirth. The cycle of birth and death is endless and would continue till the person gets liberation (mokṣa). Here, respecting every religion is a part of human value. The principle of morality is observed everywhere. The ancient town, Mathurā has played a significant role in the development of the religion and culture of India since Mahāvīra's period as referred in Āvaśyaka-cūrņil. The gigantic statues of the Mauryan period- the images of Jinas, Bodhisatvas and yakşas, the elegant Śālabhañjikās, beautiful paintings of Krsna's Rāsalīlā in ancient Dvārakādhīša shrine, earned the city fame as a treasure trove-of-art.
1.2
Indian Spiritual Traditions (Vedic and śramaņic): India has its own spiritual tradition which has been developed in the course of time. These are: i) Vedic and ii) Śramanic. Vedic tradition is based on rituals, known as “Pravrtti Mārga” while Śramana stresses on renunciation called “Nivrtti Mārga”. Vedic Tradition: The Vedic or Brāhmaṇical tradition gives importance to the physical aspect of human life, and hence lays emphasis on rituals and household living. There are prayers seeking physical fulfilment such as the desire to live up to a hundred years, to have healthy progeny, to have the cows produce more milk, etc. Since the worldly possessions depend upon the forces of nature, these forces are praised, adored and invoked through prayers or hymns and sacrifices or yajñas.
1
Sharma R.C., Mathurā- The Jaina Tirtha Karikāli, Hindi, (Mathurā, Jambusvāmi Digambara. Jain Siddhakşetra Samiti, Corāsi, 1971), pp. 3.