________________
The Unknown Pilgrims
bhūmis, lands of toil and endeavour in which men can attain Liberation. The types of activities pursued in the karma-bhūmis may be characterised by good or evil, either quality being possible in the highest degree, and include all normal human occupations.109 Videhakşetras are not subject to ascending and descending cycles and tirthankaras dwell there permanently. In that kṣetra, kevala-jñāna and mokṣa are always possible. 110. As for the other kṣetras, they are bhoga-bhūmis, places of enjoyments, where Liberation is not possible.111
676
Mount Meru is situated in Videha-kṣetra and is surrounded by four forests, each forest having a caityālaya (temple) at each of four cardinal points. To the South of Mount Meru is found a great tree, the salmali; moreover, the two trees, the jambu and the śalmali, each have a temple within their branches.112
The total number of temples on the island is seventy-eight, each containing images of the tirthankaras.113
This general and abbreviated description will suffice to give an idea of the scope and complexity of the enterprise and the difficulty met in its realisation. However, Mātāji, who is fully convinced of the usefulness of the project and well-conversant with the exact details of this cosmography, is at hand to enlighten, direct and inspire all concerned. Thus in this jungle, in the midst of flowerbeds, Mount Meru rears its head to the height of about twenty-two metres.
109 Cf. JSK III, pp. 245-246; TS III, 37.
110 Cf. JSK III, p. 551; TS III, 31; P 76; 80 n.36.
111 Cf. JSK III, p. 246.
112 Cf. JSK III, pp. 474-475. For a description of Jambudvipa, cf. also SthS,
301-305.
113 These temples, situated on the different mountains, are "eternal", that is, there is no question here of temples and images fashioned by men's hands.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
