Jainism : An Image of Antiquity Published by Shri Jain Swetamber Khartargachha Sangha, Kolkata An analytical study of the historicity, antiquity and originality Chaturmass Prabandh Samiti of the religion of Jainism of a global perspective Sheetal Nath Bhawan Gauribari Lane Kolkata - 700 004 c Dr. Lata Bothra Printed in October 2006 by : Dr. Lata Bothra Type Setting Jain Bhawan Computer Centre P-25, Kalakar Street Kolkata - 700 007 Phone : 2268-2655 Printed by Shri Bivas Datta Arunima Printing Works 81, Simla Street Kolkata - 700 006 Shri Jain Swetamber Khartargachha Sangha, Kolkata Chaturmas Prabandh Samiti Price Kolkata Rupees Fifty only continents of the worlds, regarding Jainism. Jainism is a religion which is basically revolving within the PREFACE centrifugal force of Non-violence (Ahimsa), Non- receipt (Aparigraha) and the multizonal view Through the centuries, Jainism has been the (Anekantvad), through which the concept of global mainstay of almost every religion practiced on this planet. tolerance bloomed forth. Culturally, the evidences put forward by the There was a time splendour of Jainism, as a archaeological remnants almost all over the world starting religion and an ethical lifestyle was highly prevalent in from Egypt and Babylon to Greece and Russia inevitably the early days of our continental history. The remnants prove that Jainism in its asceticism was practiced from of antiquity portray a vivid image of the global purview prehistoric days. For what reason, till today, the Jaina whereby one can conclude that Jainism in different researchers have not raised their voice and kept mum forms and images was observed in different parts of about these facts, is but a mystery to me. the world in those days. The iconographical, Jainism has been continuously ravaged by archaeological, artistic and architectural evidences from different religious groups. The advent of Shaivite ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, philosophy has led to the millitarisation of the spiritual Indonesia and other countries show indigenous symbols sects like Kapalikas, Kalamukhas, Aghoris and specific only to the Jainological purview. But due to Bhairavas thus bringing about a closer link with the constant suppression from religious groups blended decadent section of the Vajrayanis, Sahajayanis and with different social and cultural backgrounds, Jainism Tantrayanis. These sects were offshoots of the degraded survived only in this land because its last three Buddhist path which later bifurcated into Mahayana Tirthankaras took birth here. It is a matter of great pity and Hinayana loosing its spiritual and social splendour. and sorrow that Indian historians have deliberately Because of the similarity of its symbols and idols with wiped out the basic chronological history, thereby Jainism, Hinduism has always been vehemently creating biased misconception. The Jaina theory of opposed towards Jainism. Till today in different districts knowledge along with Anekantvad have truly been the of West Bengal and other states Jaina Tirthankaras are basic foundation of Jaina antiquity, not only from its worshipped as Hindu dieties because of the own Indian soil, but also from those specific places iconographical resemblance of both of these religions. scattered in different continents where archaeological Looking into antiquity, one can find myriad findings reflect the flora and fauna of Jaina culture and archaeological remains scattered in alomost all the religious beliefs in those areas. Jainism is related with the oldest remnants of various scholars, travellers, monks and other people. I human antiquity. The world religions such as Islam and have restrained myself from deep and critical Christianity -- are closely linked with Jaina asceticism evaluation of my work. This work therefore is an and monastic disciplines. Evidences regarding Jesus important blueprint of the huge amount of evidences, Christ and ‘Mecca’, point to the fact that his wandering, spread on a global scale, which till today has been search of spiritual enlightenment, his dress codes and deliberately neglected by biased groups of Indian and other specific matters lead to startling evidences of foreign historians. similarities. These can also be proven in the form of Utmost acknowledgement and gratitude to my tablets, rituals, customs, iconographic formats, friend Smt. Aruna Doshi. Her acceptance of the subject symbolic characters, literary facades, stone inscriptions and supervising through its meandering path in a silent and traditional lifestyle and also show the very global manner has always been a source of inspiration for me. essence of Jainism. Till today, little scholastic endeavour I thank Shri Dilip Singh Nahata for his constant has been defined and dedicated to the field of inspiration. To computer analyst Miss Rekha Bajpai Jainological revival. goes my heartfelt gratitude. According to India’s ‘Brahmos’ man Dr. A. And last but not the least, no words of gratitude Sivathanu Pillai’s address to the Indian President Dr. nor acknowledgement is sufficient for the loving and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam-- other countries preserve their caring cooperation from Shri Abhijit Bhattacharya, history well. Here, we need a certificate from the west whose toil and dedication regarding the fulfullment of to show off what is originally ours. Its time to be proud this work can never be weighed in words. of our heritage and rewrite the text books”. (Telegraph page 6, 24 July 2006.) Lastly, I feel that this book will be acknowledged by the scholastic community and general readers alike. The Subject of this research work has long been I express deepest gratitude to the Chaturmas Prabandh an object of my Jainological study. Through different Committee of Kolkata to publish this research work alleys, traversing diversified paths of Jaina philosophy, on the auspicious occasion of felicitating the title of its sheer antiquity and evidences scattered in Pravartani to her holiness Shri Chandra Prabhasriji multifarious forms, have inspired me silently but Maharaj. incessantly to revive the ‘truth content’ out of the junkyard of myriad archaeological evidences. The research in its formative aspect is basically Lata Bothra an informative one, emphasising on the statements of Jainism : An Image of Antiquity An analytical study of the historicity, antiquity and originality of the religion of Jainism of a global perspective 10 Jainism : An Image of Antiquity religion was himself a disciple of Marichi, was grand son of Ršabhdev. In Dr Jyoti Prasad’s words: “ Jainism represents one such ancient religion, whose culture, although originating from a purely Indian heritage, has influenced The harmonious flow of rules and principles the whole of ancient civilization. The seeds of its source regulating the Indian culture, from the dawn of humanity and development date back to the pre historical era. till the present time, can safely be deemed as the original Along with the birth of human civilization in ‘karma source of human civilization. From time immemorial, yug’, this simple mannered, soul searching religion has this essence, which has been continuously flowing, is also made its appearance significant ”. manifested even today in the philosophy of Jainism as Shri Ajit Kum¹r Sh¹stri, in his article ‘Jain they synchronized the various religions and cultures of Sanskriti k¹ Saral Adhyayan’ has written, “ A study in the world... No doubt the word ‘Jain’ was coined in the depth in the philosophy of all the religions of the world, 7th century, but in fact its antiquity is indisputable and leads to the conclusion that Jainism is the most original distinctive. In present times the followers of Jainism and ancient religion in the world”. are comparably few but the profound effect of its By doing some research on this oldest of religious philosophy has clearly influenced almost all the civilizations, as described by the historians, it becomes religions and ancient civilizations of the world. clear that the source of their foundation is based on the According to the well known Philosopher Dr. conception of Jainism. Herman Jacobi – “ The interest of Jainism to the student There is another aspects about the antiquity of of religion consists in the fact that it goes back to a Jainism. It is its metaphysical conceptions, animistic very early period, and to primitive currents of religious belief, simplicity in the form of worship or rituals and and metaphysical speculation, which gave rise also to ethics. Its philosophy has been held to be the oldest of the oldest Indian Philosophies - S¹ñkhya and Yoga all Dravidian born philosophies and religions, its and to Buddhism”. metaphysics is based on primitive animism because it attributes souls not only to living beings and insects But in the context of the origin of S¹ñkhya religion but also to all vegetation, earth, water, fire, stones, etc. Jain literature also focused that Ršabhdev founder of that is to say, Jainism treats these to represent life in Œraman Sanskriti and Kapil who started S¹ñkhya varied forms. Jainism : An Image of Antiquity 11 12 Jainism : An Image of Antiquity Dr. Kamata Prasad reflects on these facts in his honor their spiritual heroes and get inspiration of book ‘The Indian Tradition’ in a comprehensive manner. spiritual perfection from their life like statues. This According to him- kind of worship has been considered as the 1. Animism :- Indonesia and other far eastern characteristic of all primitive religions.Ancient Jain countries, in ancient times,