Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons

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

Page 47

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The Tradition of Stūpa in Jainism
A structure constructed at a funeral place in memory of holy personalities is known as caitya. Both Śvetāmbara and Digambara sects have references of the adoration of stūpa, stūpa-maha, caiya/caitya, caiya-khambha and caiyavrksa in their literature. Their adoration in symbolic forms is seen on many Āyāgapattas. The caitya is a common name for a sanctuary. The word caitya originates from the root ci-cayane, which means something piled up, whereas caitya is a derivative of the word 'citya' or 'citi', which is referring to a fire - altar!. As mentioned by Dikshitar, caitya is derived from citya?. 2.1 The Concept of Caitya and Stūpa in Various Scriptures:
In Yājñavalkya-smrti? the same word (caitya) is applied to a sacred place (punya-sthāna) situated in the crematorium. Ancient Jaina Āgamas also refer to the caitya as a memorial constructed at a funeral place (citāsthala). Sometimes, when a tree is planted at such a memorial, it is called caitya-vrkșa, and caitya-stūpa if the memorial is dome shaped. In Vācaspatyam4, the word caitya occurs for a dome shaped yaksāyatana. Probably here remains of great personalities were worshipped which were later replaced by some memorials. Afterwards they converted into sacred sanctuaries with or without tree plantation. In due course caitya or stūpa were constructed for adoration purpose.
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I) Coomaraswamy A. K., History of Indian and Indonesian Art, (London, 1927) pp.
47. II) Shah U. P., Studies in Jaina Art (Varanasi: Parsvanatha Vidyapitha, 1st edi 1955,
2nd edi. 1998) pp. 43. I) Dikshitar V. R. Ramchandra, "Origin and Early History of Caityas”, in 1.H.Q. vol.
XIV, (1938): pp. 440. II) Shah U. P. 1955, op. cit. pp. 43. 1) tyd vir Teclisi(46#: 1
सेतुवल्मीकनिम्नास्थिचैत्याद्यैरुपलक्षिताम् ।।१५१ ।।
चैत्यश्मशानसीमासु पुण्यस्थाने सुरालये।
जातद्रुमाणां द्विगुणो दमो वृक्षे च विश्रुते ।।२२८ ।। - याज्ञवल्क्यस्मृति, व्यवहाराध्याय । II) Jain S., Jaina Vidya.. V.II, 1998, pp. 716. 1) 414, Y P8&& ! II) Jain S. 1998, op. cit. 716.
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