Jainism and Mahavira

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Digambar Jain Sahitya Sanskriti Sanskaran Samiti

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Jaina images. Tantrism entered into Jaina inconography in about tenth century A.D. and as a result, the Yaksa-Yaksis etc. got their due place on the pedestal or around the Jaina images with more decorative sculptural surroundings. Sandy stone is widely used in about twelveth century along with black and white marble. The bronze images are also popularly available of the period. In the fourteenth century the development of Jaina iconography stagnated and the decline started. This can be understood through perspective of iconographical peculiarties of Tirthankaras and their associates.
Temple art is of three types, Nagara, Vesara and Dravida. In Nagara style, the Garvagraha is quadrangular and its summit (Sikhara) is circular with Kalasa. It is used in Punjab, Himalaya, Rajasthan, Madhyapradesa, Udisa and Bengal. The Sikhara becomes flat in Vesar style which is found in Madhyabharat and the temple gets the form of pillar in Dravidian style. The earliest Jaina temple is found at Lohanipur (Patna) of Maurya period. Then the temple art is available from the seventh century onwards. Painting has also been one of the best methods for expressing the ideas.
Thus it is abundantly clear that Jainism, one of the most ancient animistic Indigenous religions has been constantly and unforgetably to the field of history and culture. Its philosophy, ethics, dogmas, spiritual disciplines and practices are based on truth and non-violence with the nature of humanistic approach, interreligious dialogue and understanding which can be easily perceived through its extensive and perennial literature. All the more conspicuous fact is that Jainism could not be elaborated here much in such a concised chapter. However, the student of religion and culture can of course gather some pivotal points over the subject. The corroborative evidence can be further accumulated from the original sources, and comparative study can be made with other contemporary religions specially Buddhism which is more closer in all respects.
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