JAIN ART

Jainism: The Religion

■ Jainism is an ascetic religion of India

that teaches the immortality and
pilgrimage of the soul, denies the
existence of a supreme being and
emphasizes the art of non-violence.
Origins of Jainism
The exact place where Jainism started is not confirmed,
but India is most commonly referred to as the place of
origin.

Jainism, as a religion, was, at various times, found all

over South Asia including Sri Lanka and what are now
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Afghanistan.

Jainism started out in the sixth century B.C as a protest

against the overdeveloped rituals of Hinduism. The
actual date is still questioned, but it is believed that it
started no earlier than 850 B.C (7th-5th Century B.C).
Jainism in the 21st Century
As of early 21st century, there are 4.5 million followers.

Most Jains live in India, with smaller populations in Canada,

United Kingdom, and the United States.

Jainism has been an influence for the Indian culture for over 2500
years and has contributed to Indian philosophy and logic, art and
architecture, mathematics, astronomy and astrology, and literature.

Jainism’s culture possibly influenced the religion of Buddhism

today.

There is little question that Jainism influenced the great Hindu

Mohandas Gandhi.

Even though it isn’t well known, Jainism has affected spiritual

development of the world.
Key Figures in Jainism

Mahavira picture Mahavira on

Rock image of 24 LionThrone
Tirthankaras

Mahavira statue
JAIN ART
Jainism has influenced and contributed to many
artistic spheres in India, such as painting,
sculpture, and architecture.
KEY POINTS
Common themes in Jain painting and sculpture are
the Tirthankaras or saviors, the yakshas and yakshinis or
supernatural guardian deities, and symbols such as the lotus and the
swastika, which represents peace and well-being.

A large number of Jain palm leaf manuscripts have survived from

the 10th to the 14th centuries with illustrations in the sharp and
angular Western Indian style of art.

From the 14th century onward, the increased availability of paper

allowed the production of larger and more elaborate Jain illustrated
manuscripts.
Terms

Tirthankara
Jain term for a person who achieves enlightenment through
asceticism and who then becomes a role-model teacher for those
seeking spiritual guidance.

Iconography
The branch of art history which studies the identification,
description, and the interpretation of the content of images.
For the most part, artists in ancient India belonged to non-denominational
guilds who were prepared to lend their services to any patron, whether
Hindu, Buddhist, or Jain. The styles they used were a function of the time
and place rather than the religion. Therefore, Jain art from this period is
stylistically similar to Hindu or Buddhist art, although its themes
and iconography are specifically Jain.

Popular themes and icons in Jain art include the Tirthankaras (Jain
saviors: human beings who achieved the ultimate spiritual salvation and
served as role models for society), yakshas and yakshinis (supernatural
male and female guardian deities), and holy symbols such as the swastika
which symbolized peace and well-being .
The two Jain Tirthankaras, British museum

This sculpture represents the Tirthankaras,

or two founders of Jainism. On the left is
Rishabha, who was the first of the 24
tirthankaras. On the right is Mahavira, the
last of those 24, who consolidated and
reformed the religious and philosophical
system.
The Statue of Bahubali

A colossal monolithic statue of Bahubali at

Shravanbelagola, the Jain siddha (one who
has attained spiritual salvation), located in
Karnataka in southern India, is one of the
most sacred pilgrimage sites for Jains. The
statue was carved in 981 AD out of a single
block of granite. The statue stands 55 feet
high and is completely nude, as is
customary in the Jain tradition
Non-violence in Jain art

Genuine compassion requires imagination, and this is why for the Jains, art
is central. The seated Tirthankara image (murti) is one of the most common
icons in Jainism. It is at once serene, peaceful and balanced.

Animals and nature play a central role in temple art. For Jains, all life is
precious and worthy of the highest respect.. Jains believe that there cannot
be human peace at the expense of harming nature or animals. One of the
most iconic Jain images is that of the Samavasarana, depicting the sermon
given by a Tirthankara after attaining enlightenment. While Mahavira was
sharing his knowledge, all kinds of species joined the congregation, and all
could clearly see Mahavira and understand the message in their own
language. This event is often depicted in Jain painting and sculpture.
 23rd Tirthankara Parsvanatha, sculpture, 7th
Painting of Samavasarana century.
Illuminated Manuscripts
The earliest Jain illuminated manuscripts are inscribed and painted on
prepared palm-leaves and bound with cords passing through holes in the
folios. The folios are encased in wooden covers that are often decorated with
religious or historical themes. Book covers continued to be made in later
centuries.