History Of Jainism

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathura" by V.K. Sharma:

Overview of the Book:

"History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathura" by V.K. Sharma, published by D.K. Printworld, is a scholarly work that offers a detailed historical survey of Jainism, with a particular focus on its significance and development in the ancient city of Mathura. The book explores Jainism's origins, antiquity, doctrines, Tirthankaras, and its pan-Indian spread, highlighting its contributions to Indian culture and art. The latter half of the book delves deeply into Mathura's role as a prominent center of Jainism, examining its art, architecture, and socio-religious life from the 2nd century BC to the 11th century AD, and continuing to the present day.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Introduction to Jainism:

   • Jainism is presented as one of India's oldest religions, with a rich tradition spanning 2,600 years, characterized by principles of ahimsa (non-violence), truth, and righteous conduct.
   • It possesses a defined worldview, metaphysics, and ethical code.
   • The book acknowledges the various historical names for Jainism and its followers, such as Rṣabha Cult, Ahimsā Dharma, Śramaṇa Dharma, Nirgrantha Dharma, and Jainas.
   • It discusses the numerical strength of Jains, their economic status, and their distribution across India, noting the decline in their numbers over centuries.
   • The book addresses misconceptions about Jainism, refuting the idea that it is an offshoot of Buddhism, and establishing its antiquity on par with Buddhism.
   • It highlights similarities and fundamental differences between Jainism and Buddhism, as well as Jainism's relationship with Hinduism, emphasizing a process of mutual influence.
   • The text touches upon the primitive origins of Jainism, influenced by both pre-Aryan and Aryan cultures, and outlines its core philosophies like Anekāntavāda and Syādvāda.
   • Key Jain ideals such as ahimsa, austerity, self-control, and the pursuit of perfection are discussed.

2. Jaina Tirthankaras and Antiquity of Jainism:

   • The book addresses the divergence of opinion regarding Jainism's antiquity, contrasting the Jaina tradition of an eternal religion revealed by 24 Tirthankaras with scholarly views that place its founding with Pārśvanātha or Mahāvīra.
   • It explains the title "Tirthankara" and discusses the epithets used for them, such as Jina and Arhat.
   • The lives, traditions, and spiritual attainments of the 24 Tirthankaras are detailed, with specific focus on the historical arguments surrounding the early Tirthankaras like Rṣabha and Neminātha.
   • The chapter explores the practice of Jaina worship, particularly image worship, and its early origins, noting its connection to the Maurya period.
   • It details the births, lives, and nirvana places of the early Tirthankaras, from Rṣabha to Anantanātha, highlighting the differing traditions between Svetāmbara and Digambara sects.

3. Pārśvanātha and Vardhamāna Mahāvīra:

   • This section focuses on the historicity of Pārśvanātha, the 23rd Tirthankara, and Vardhamāna Mahāvīra, the 24th.
   • It establishes Pārśvanātha's historical existence based on Jaina and Buddhist literature, noting that Mahāvīra was a reformer of Pārśvanātha's order.
   • Pārśvanātha's ideology is placed within the context of Śramanic thought, emphasizing his doctrine of ahimsā and the four vows (cāturyāma dharma).
   • The life of Mahāvīra is presented against the backdrop of the 6th century BC's intellectual and spiritual ferment. His birth, family background, renunciation, asceticism, and attainment of kevala-jñāna are described.
   • The book discusses Mahāvīra's teachings, his role as a reformer, and his contribution to organizing the Jaina Church, including the codification of rules and the establishment of a four-fold order of followers.

4. Post-Mahāvīra Period and Contributions to Indian Culture:

   • This chapter covers the period after Mahāvīra, discussing the organization of the Jaina Church by his disciples (gaṇadharas) and the subsequent leadership.
   • It traces the spread of Jainism across India, mentioning its influence in Bihar, Bengal, Kalinga (Orissa), Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand, Malwa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and South India.
   • The chapter details the schisms within Jainism, primarily the division into Svetāmbara and Digambara sects, exploring their differing beliefs, practices, and the historical context of their divergence.
   • It highlights the significant contributions of Jainism to Indian culture, including:
     • Ahiṁsā: Its extreme emphasis and influence on Indian life, leading to vegetarianism and the establishment of animal protection houses. It also notes that Jainism did not lead to military emasculation.
     • Humanitarianism and Moral Life: The promotion of love and compassion for all beings, establishment of charitable institutions, and influence on moral conduct.
     • Philosophy: Anekāntavāda and Syādvāda.
     • Monastic System: A severe monastic rule emphasizing non-violence and self-control, with active lay participation.
     • Language and Literature: The creation of extensive religious and secular literature in various Indian languages, including Prakrits and Apabhramsa, significantly contributing to linguistic development.
     • Art and Architecture: The creation of numerous temples and sculptures, particularly the ornate temples of Gujarat and Rajasthan, and the colossal monolithic statues of South India. It discusses the characteristics of Jaina sculptures, including the stylized depictions of Tirthankaras and the beautiful female figures (śālabhañjikās).

5. Jaina Art and Architecture at Mathura (2nd Century BC to 11th Century AD):

   • Mathura is identified as a principal seat of Jainism in North India and a significant center for Jaina art and architecture, even predating the Christian era.
   • The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of Jaina, Hindu, and Buddhist art traditions in ancient India.
   • It details the archaeological excavations at Kankālī Tīlā, Mathura, which provided substantial evidence for the history of Jainism in the city, including numerous sculptures, inscriptions, and architectural fragments.
   • The early phase of Jainism in Mathura is linked to the Kankālī Tīlā stūpa, with discussions on its possible construction date (pre-Buddhist, but likely around the 2nd-3rd century BC, contemporary with Buddhist stūpas like Sanchi and Bharhut).
   • The book analyzes the evolution of Jaina iconography, from symbolic worship (stūpa, pillar, āyāga-patta) to anthropomorphic images of Tirthankaras.
   • It describes the Tirthankara images from the Pre-Kuṣāṇa, Kuṣāņa, and Gupta periods, noting their characteristics, the development of features like the śrīvatsa symbol and the halo, and the challenges in identifying specific Tirthankaras due to the absence of evolved lāñchanas.
   • The period saw the production of independent stone images and quadruple images (sarvatobhadrikā/caumukha), indicating significant artistic development.
   • The distinctive "female figures" on Mathura railing pillars, identified as śālabhañjikās, are highlighted for their artistic merit and as reflections of contemporary society.
   • The influence of the Kushana period is noted as a "golden age" for Jainism in Mathura, with a flourishing community and prolific art production.
   • The Gupta period saw a decline in building activity but continued artistic production, characterized by greater refinement and spiritual expression in Jina figures.
   • The book discusses the role of inscriptions in understanding the Jaina community structure (ganas, kulas, śākhās) and the influence of preceptors.
   • It addresses the debate on the split between Svetāmbara and Digambara sects, suggesting that evidence from Mathura does not clearly point to an early division during the Kuṣāņa period.

6. Jainism in Mathura: Eleventh Century AD to the Present Times:

   • The book notes the city's devastation by Mahmud of Ghazni in AD 1018 and subsequent periods of ruin, which impacted Jaina religious activity.
   • Despite the decline, archaeological evidence suggests Jainism persisted in Mathura until at least the 11th century AD.
   • The revival of Jainism in Mathura is marked by the 19th-century activities of Seth Raghunath Das and the founding of the Bharatavarshiya Digambara Jaina Mahāsabhā.
   • The 20th century saw the growth of Jaina presence, with the establishment of numerous temples and dharmaśālās, most notably the Śrī 1008 Jambūsvāmī Digambara Jaina Siddhakşetra at Chaurasi.
   • The architectural features and renovations of the Chaurasi temple are described, along with the prominent images housed there, including Ajitanātha, Bahubali, and Pārsvanātha.
   • The book concludes by noting that despite differences between Svetāmbara and Digambara sects, Jainism in Mathura is viewed as a living and vibrant religion due to the dedication of its followers.

Overall Significance:

V.K. Sharma's "History of Jainism" provides a comprehensive and well-researched account of Jainism, both in its broader historical context and its specific manifestation in Mathura. The book is valuable for its detailed exploration of Jaina doctrines, Tirthankaras, the religion's spread, its cultural contributions, and particularly its rich artistic and architectural heritage in Mathura, supported by extensive archaeological and textual evidence. The emphasis on Mathura's role as a critical center for Jainism, especially during the early centuries AD, and the analysis of its art and architecture, make this book a significant contribution to the study of Jainism and ancient Indian history.