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Jain Temples (Our Cultural Heritage)
Mrs. Sujata Subhash Shastri M.A. (Ancient History & Archaelogy
Diploma in Jainology) n our country, apart from literature
In olden days the temple acted I most of the ethical concepts are as a centre of the activities of the reflected in art and architecture. Jain society. For our elders, the temple art not only reflects the fine taste of was not only a centre of worship, but beauty but also heightens the spirit in a place of security and shelter, a man and makes him more worthy as place for education, a centre for a member of society.
Justice, a meeting hall and a centre
for cultural activities. A temple become . According to Jaina philosophy
a media through which one could there is no creator. The Idol of Jain
express his devotion to Lord, his is worshipped which stands as an
talent and richness. ideal for one who wants to attain the supreme spirit, which is found in each
The ancient temples are the and every soul. This is very well
reflection of the devotion of the people described in the Mangalacharana of of that time. The main morality among Tattvarta-Sutraas "Moksha Margasya
the people was to earn honestly and netaram bhettaram karma bhubhrtam
utilize the money either for donation Jnataram Visva-tattvanam Vande tad
or construction of temples. The very guna-labdhaye."
moral belief among the people gave
birth to the construction of many The Jaina temples are found in temples in our country. plenty all over our country. Their
Construction of Temple in the pattern of construction may differ from
name of the Person : area to area but the main aim of construction is the same. It is true that There was more spirit among the there are temples, but culturally they people in the construction of temples. have lost their values. One cannot say For some, temple became a media for exactly when the Jain temple the expression of their wealth. Unlike construction began. But the ancient today, the position of a person in the most civilization of Harappa and society was valued by his contributions Mohenjodaro have proved that idol to his religion, either by the worship existed in Jaina religion. The construction or donation rendered to worship of Lord "Rishaba" was very it. In Karnataka, Moodbidri known as much popular.
the Dakshina Kashi is having 18 Jaina
Ryavaid uu : 24
તીર્થ-સૌરભ
1904
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