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The Jain Cultural Heritage:
THE ROLE OF JAIN LADIES
Manikamma. S. Kabadagi
True to the spirit of the Jain approach to the rational interpretation of human life, the Jainas have displayed a rare, an almost unexpected breadth of vision and catholicity outlook in accommodating the enlightened women to play a constructive role in the preservation and popularisation of Jain culture and thought.
The purpose of my paper is to focus my attention on the magnificent role played by Jain ladies who have played the most courageous, crucial and decisive role in bringing out the essential thought of Jainism in its multifarious channel, for example, to distribute the Jain idols, not only of metals but of precious stones also to the various corners of Karnataka and to build temples to instal therein. Some ladies used to distribute the copies of Jain works to the saints so that they could preach Jainism. Some ladies used to get constructed number of temples and made provisions by donating lands, placing worshippers in those newly-constructed temples.
The role played by Jain ladies is blessed by the saints and patronised by their kings and their husbands, without any fear of contradiction and exaggeration. I can boldly assert that Karnataka Jain culture is unthinkable without the creative role of Jain ladies.
Jain Education International
From the general remarks we can analyse the role played by several ladies towards the enrichment of Jain culture. We have an instance of a noble lady of Nirgunda family who championed the spread of Jain Dharma,-her name was Kandachi, the wife of Paramgula. She took interest in Jainism. She caused to be constructed the Jain temple named Lok Tilak at the time of Ganga Dynasty. But in contrast to this simple, pious, gentle lady, there was a very robust administrator and at the same time brilliant champion of Jainismher name is Jakkiyabbe. She was an administrator and warrior too and was assigned the area-the present Ingleshwar, Sindagi, Basavan bagewadi. Her name is very famous as a lady of administrative talent, bravery and at the same time supremely religious, not only in individual capacity, but making Jainism more popular by getting temples constructed. She was practically amazonian in every aspect, ofcourse, in the right sense of the term. This noble
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