Jain Mandiro Ki Prachinta Aur Mathura Ka Kankali Tila - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Mandiro ki Prachinta aur Mathura ka Kankali Tila" by Gyansundar:

This book, "The Antiquity of Jain Temples and Mathura's Kankali Tila," is presented as a significant contribution to Jain historical research, aiming to shed light on the ancient past of Jainism, particularly focusing on the importance of Mathura and the archaeological significance of the Kankali Tila site.

Key Themes and Arguments:

India as a Civilizational Guru: The author begins by asserting that India was a cradle of civilization, with its religious, social, and political advancements serving as models for other nations. India is portrayed as a spiritual teacher to the world.
Loss of Historical Records: A major challenge highlighted is the destruction of invaluable Indian historical records, including ancient manuscripts, temples, and inscriptions, by invaders. This loss makes reconstructing a continuous history difficult.
Jainism's Ancient Prominence: Despite the challenges, the text argues that Jainism was a prominent religion, even considered a "national religion," during the time of figures like Lord Mahavir, Emperor Samprati, and King Kharavela. It claims Jainism's influence extended beyond India to Western regions.
Evidence of Global Jain Influence: The book cites examples of Jain influence in Western countries, such as finding an intact idol of Lord Mahavir in Austria, a Siddha Chakra artifact in America, and the ruins of Jain temples in Mongolia. It also mentions Jain religious leaders impacting regions like Africa and Tibet through teachings and debates.
The Importance of Birthplaces (Kalyanak Bhumi): The text emphasizes the reverence Jain devotees have for the birthplaces of their Tirthankaras, calling them "Kalyanak Bhumi" (auspicious lands).
Mathura as a Jain Center: Mathura is specifically identified as one such auspicious land, being the birthplace of the 21st Tirthankara, Naminathji. The book asserts that Mathura was once a major center for Jains, with numerous temples and a significant Jain population.
Historical Evidence for Mathura's Jain Past: The text provides several points of evidence to support Mathura's Jain heritage:
- Presence of Jain Acharyas: Historical records and inscriptions indicate that Jain acharyas visited and preached in Mathura from the 2nd-3rd century BCE, attracting locals to Jainism.
- Great Jain Assembly: During the time of Acharya Skandalasuri (2nd century CE), a large Jain gathering took place in Mathura. This assembly was crucial in compiling and organizing Jain Agamas which had been disrupted by famine. This is why the Jain Ang and Upang Sutras are still referred to as the "Mathuri Vachana."
- Patronage by Lay Followers: A Mathura resident, Polak, a disciple of the Osvanshi community, funded the copying of scriptures and donated them to Jain acharyas and libraries.
- Mathuri Branch of Jainism: A "Mathuri" branch emerged within the Shvetambara Jain community, originating from Mathura.
- Scholarly Debates and Conversions: A prominent scholar named Nann Bhatt debated with Acharya Sarvadeva Suri of the Korant Gachchha. Ultimately, Nann Bhatt embraced Jainism and became an acharya, spreading its teachings in the Mathura region.
- Mathura Sangha: The Digambara Jain community has a "Mathur" sangha, originating from Mathura, whose acharyas contributed to the creation of several texts.
- Prominent Merchants: The text mentions Nagadatta, an Oswal merchant from Mathura in the 2nd century CE, who organized a pilgrimage to Shatrunjaya and donated gold artifacts.
- Foreign Travelers' Accounts: Chinese travelers like Fahien, Sungyun, Hiuen Tsang, and I-tsing documented the presence of numerous Jain and Buddhist temples in Mathura in their travelogues.
The Kankali Tila Excavations: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the archaeological findings at Kankali Tila in Mathura.
- Location and Antiquity: Kankali Tila is described as a site yielding artifacts dating back 2,500 years or more.
- Archaeological Discoveries: Excavations have unearthed ruins of ancient Jain temples, including stupas, toranas, ayagapattas, pillars, carvings, and idols. Over 110 ancient inscriptions have also been found.
- Inscriptions' Testimony: The inscriptions from Kankali Tila are presented as definitive proof that Jainism is an independent, ancient religion, not a derivative of Buddhism or Vedanta. They indicate the presence of Jain temples in Mathura even 200 years before Lord Buddha.
- Archaeological Work at Kankali Tila: The book details the contributions of various archaeologists, including General Cunningham, Mr. Growse, Dr. Burgess, and Dr. Fuhrer, in excavating Kankali Tila. Their efforts led to the recovery of numerous artifacts, many of which are now housed in the Lucknow Museum.
- Key Findings from Kankali Tila:
  - 10 Shvetambara Jain idols with inscriptions.
  - Fragments of a large Shvetambara Jain temple dating back to the time of King Huvishka.
  - An idol of Mahavir surrounded by idols of 23 other Tirthankaras, known as "Jain Chaubisi."
  - Idols of Padmaprabha dating to Samvat 1036 and 1134.
  - Idols of Bodhisattva and Amoghasiddhi from the 1st century CE.
  - 10 idols of Buddha with inscriptions.
  - A pillar with a full-size dancing figure.
  - A large stone umbrella (chhatra) with a diameter of four feet.
  - Numerous stone fragments with intricate carvings, including pillars, toranas, doorways, and idols.
  - Inscriptions dating from 150 BCE to 1023 CE.
  - A particular inscription mentioning a temple built by a specific individual, confirming the existence of Jain temples centuries before the Common Era.
  - Evidence of exceptional sculptural art dating back 2,500 years.
  - An inscription indicating a stupa built by deities, suggesting immense antiquity.
  - An idol of Mahavir with an inscription from Samvat 299 (associated with Kushana rulers), which has led to revised dating of the commencement of this era.
- The Significance of the Kankali Tila Findings: The unearthed artifacts and inscriptions provide substantial evidence for Jain history, art, language, grammar, and societal structures. They strongly support the narratives found in Jain scriptures.
- Endurance of Jainism: The inscriptions also confirm the antiquity of Jainism, the belief in the 24 Tirthankaras, and the existence of divisions like Gachchhas and Shakhas even 2,000 years ago.
Proof of Idol Worship: The text repeatedly uses the findings, especially the numerous idols, as evidence to counter any arguments against the practice of idol worship in Jainism. It asserts that idol worship has been an integral part of Jainism since its inception and has been consistently accepted and practiced by scholars and monks throughout history.
Other Archaeological Evidence: Beyond Mathura, the book lists numerous other sites where archaeological discoveries have provided evidence for Jainism's antiquity and prevalence. These include:
- Ancient idols and inscriptions from various pilgrimage sites like Shri Stambhan Tirth, Hathiyagundi caves in Kalingadesha, and Ajmer.
- Coins with Chaitya symbols from North India.
- Ancient cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa yielding statues from thousands of years ago.
- Idols and temples found in Akola, Patna, Jaitalser, Parkham, Nagaur, Ghankatak, and Vainatat.
- A temple of Sambhavanath near Shravasti dating to the time of Lord Mahavir or earlier.
- A Suparshvanath temple mentioned in Buddhist texts, contemporary to Lord Mahavir.
- Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's law penalizing disrespect towards religious places, highlighting the importance of temples and idols.
- A copper plate from Prabhas Patan mentioning King Nebus-dene-mar and a temple dedicated to Neminath, pushing back the historical existence of Neminath and idol worship to the 6th-7th century BCE.
- Temples in Upakeshpura and Korantpur consecrated by Acharya Ratnaprabh Suri.
- Evidence of a temple built in memory of Lord Mahavir's visit to Mundasthal.
- The temple of Bhadreshwar in Kutch.
- The propagation of Jainism and temple consecrations in Maharashtra by Acharya Haridatta Suri's disciple.
- Temple consecrations in Shrimāl Nagar and Padmavati Nagar by Acharya Svayaprabha Suri.
- A 300-year-old idol of white gold in Arjunpuri.

Conclusion:

The author concludes by asserting that the evidence gathered, particularly from Kankali Tila, leaves no room for doubt regarding the antiquity of Jain temples and idols. He strongly advocates for the veneration and worship of Jain temples and Tirthankaras as a primary duty for the spiritual welfare of individuals. The book aims to solidify the understanding of Jainism's deep historical roots and the enduring significance of its religious practices.