Jainism derives its name from Jaina (the conqueror), the second name of Vardhmana Mahavira. Mahavira, like Buddha belonged to a princely family in Vaishali (India). At the age of 30, Mahavira renounced the world and spent 12 yrs. In austerity and meditation in search of truth. At last, at the age of 42, while medating under an Asoka tree, he received enlightenment. He was thereafter known as Jaina, the Conqueror. Mahavira was born at the beginning of the sixth century B.C. Jainism preaches that by following the threefold path, all souls will be released from the cycle of births and deaths and will reach the pure and blissful abode above (Sidha sila). The threefold path consists of three jewels (tirthna), right belief, right cognition and right conduct.
After A.D. 82 Jainism split into two groups, the Digambaras and the Shwetambers. The Digambars Saint wore no clothes, while the Shwetambars saint wore white clothes. Both groups believed in overcoming the senses by meditation and penance.
The Jains have many places of pilgrimage in India. The most important of them are mountain of Samta, near Parasnath in Bihar state, where Parsua is said to have attained nirvana (holy death). Pavapuri where Mahavira died, mount Abu in Rajsthan and Shravenbelagola in Karnataka, where the temples of Tirthankara Adinath and Bahubali are situated, and the high monolithic statue of Gomateshwar, son of Rishabha, stands.
With rise of Islam, building of temples was prohibited. The surplus wealth of merchant class in Gujarat was therefore channeled in to painting. Jain paintings of the 13 Th centuries were on Palm leaf, wood and cloth.14 Th century Jain paintings were on paper but the long narrow format of the palm leaf manuscript was mentioned. The subject - matter of the Jain paintings was he Kalpsutra.They depicts the life of Lord Mahaveera, the founder of Jainism. Jain paintings display a lavish use of gold, blue and red colors. |
