International Conference on Buddhism and Jainism in Early Historic Asia
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Item Iconography of Parshvanatha at Annigere in North Karnataka – An Analysis(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Chavan, S.M.India being the country which is known to have produced three major religions of the world: Hinduism, Budhism and Jainism. Jainism is still a practicing religion in many states of India like Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. The name Jaina is derived from the word jina, meaning conqueror, or liberator. Believing in immortal and indestructible soul (jiva) within every living being, it’s final goal is the state of liberation known as kaivalya, moksha or nirvana. The sramana movements rose in India in circa 550 B.C. Jainism in Karnataka began with the stable connection of the Digambara monk called Simhanandi who is credited with the establishment of the Ganga dynasty around 265 A.D. and thereafter for almost seven centuries Jain communities in Karnataka enjoyed the continuous patronage of this dynasty. Chamundaraya, a Ganga general commissioned the colossal rock-hewn statue of Bahubali at Sravana Belagola in 948 which is the holiest Jain shrines today. Gangas in the South Mysore and Kadambas and Badami Chalukyans in North Karnataka contributed to Jaina Art and Architecture. The Jinas or Thirthankaras list to twenty-four given before the beginning of the Christian era and the earliest reference occurs in the Samavayanga Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra, Kalpasutra and Pumacariyam. The Kalpasutra describes at length only the lives of Rishabhanatha, Neminatha, Parshvanatha and Mahavira. The iconographic feature of Parsvanatha was finalised first with seven-headed snake canopy in the first century B.C. followed by other Tirthankaras. Each of the Tirhtankaras have specific yaksha and yakshi flanking them. There are many temples in Karnataka dedicated to Parshvanatha. The present paper attempts to discuss the iconography of Parshvanatha Tirthankara and with a special reference to the scultpure in the temple dedicated to him at Annigere, a village in Dharwad district in the Northern Karnataka.Item Paintings of Ajanta and Dambulla – A Discussion of the Themes(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Chavan, S.M.The Buddhist art depict Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other entities; notable Buddhist figures, both historical and mythical; narrative scenes from the life of Buddha, along with mandalas and other graphic aids to practice; as well as physical objects associated with Buddhist practice, such as vajras, bells, stupas and Buddhist temple architecture. Buddhist art originated on the Indian subcontinent following the historical life of Gautama Buddha, and thereafter evolved by contact with other cultures as it spread throughout Asia and the world. The Ajanta frescos scattered in the caves along the Waghora River date from the second century B.C., when the first Buddhists forbade representation of the Buddha himself. The subject-matter of the paintings of Ajanta are mostly the various lives of the Buddha as told in the Jataka tales. Buddhist art followed believers as the dharma spread, adapted, and evolved in the Asian countries. It developed to the north through Central Asia and into Eastern Asia to form the Northern branch of Buddhist art, and to the east as far as Southeast Asia to form the Southern branch of Buddhist art. The five caves at Dambulla converted into shrine rooms and within these rooms is housed a collection of one hundred and fifty statues of Buddha, and several more deities along with other personages of the Buddhist order of Sri Lanka. The uniqueness of this site lies in the fact that along with paintings on the walls there are also painted sculptures with a unique style, colour, composition and a range of themes depicting the life and teachings of Buddha. The present paper proposes to explores some themes of Buddhist paintings in India and Sri Lanka with reference to paintings at Ajanta and Dambulla.