Jainism is one of the most ancient religions of India whose main aim is the liberation of the soul through spiritual disciplines and non-violence. Vedic society was based on caste system and Jainism is said to have encouraged the growth of a healthy society by ensuring equality for all and mitigating the evils of the Varna order. Inspite of their population being far less than other major religions, their contribution in the field of art and culture has been tremendous. They have contributed to poetry, science, art, grammar, medicine, logic, mathematics, astrology, astronomy and philosophy. With regard to architecture, the Jains adopted the local building traditions of Vaishnava and Dravidian style while evolving their own unique style. They were great lovers of peace, quiet and beauty and generally selected picturesque sites for the construction of their temples. Deep secluded valleys and remote hill tops were selected as sites to avoid distractions and enable the mind to concentrate and delve inwardly. Jain traders were great financiers to the Kings especially during times of difficulties. They contributed immensely to art and culture, food, medicine and literature.
Art
Beautiful wall and roof paintings can be seen in the caves and the Jain palm manuscripts. Paintings of cloth and wooden painted covers are also seen, illustrating religious discourses and discussions which give us an idea of the happenings from an artistic point of view. Illuminated manuscripts painted on palm leaves have been preserved for centuries. The most spectacular Jain paintings are the cosmological paintings which depict the structure of the Jain universe. They depict the three realms namely the upper celestial world, the lower infernal world and the middle mortal world. There are other large Jain paintings of symbols of esoteric deities and invocations which are used by the seeker in his path to enlightenment. Besides this, there are paintings of temple banners, murals and Jain pilgrimage sites which are displayed in temples. They are pictorial representations of the lives of the Jinas and scenes of religious instructions. Pictures of Samavasarana (Left) which depicts the sermon given by the Tirthankar after attaining enlightenment are often depicted in Jain religion with animals and nature too playing a central role befitting Jain philosophy that all life is precious and cannot be harmed.
Architecture
The exquisite Jain architecture consists of caves, temples, monasteries and other structures. The Jaina caves with beautifully carved walls and pillars can be seen in many regions of India. The common characteristics of the Jain temples are the pyramidal elevation of the tower. In ancient times, they received great patronage under the ruling dynasties of Cholas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and other kingdoms. Temple architecture is of three types Nagara, Vesara and Dravid. The gateways, pillars, ceilings and special doorways are richly carved with floral and geometrical designs and sculptures. The bronze images and the rock cut sculptures of the Tirthankars and deities in various sizes are exquisitely carved by expert craftsmen and artisans. In the Nagara style, the Shikhar is circular with Kalasha and the garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum is circular. Such temples are found in Odisha, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In the Vesara style, the Shikhar is flat and such temples are found in Central India. In the Dravidian styles of temples found in the South, the temple is marked with pillars.
Education
Jain teachers wandered from place to place propagating their doctrines which resulted in mass education. Women attended these gatherings in large numbers leading to the spread of knowledge and education among them. Jain temples and monasteries became centres of learning where people irrespective of caste, creed and gender were imparted education by the learned teachers. Inscriptions on walls of temples show rules of grammar, Indian alphabets and Sanskrit verbs and affixes. Later manuscripts were used for study and learning with libraries attached to educational institutions. Religious and secular learning were encouraged at all levels.
Literature
Jain teachers wrote moral and religious literature to inculcate moral values in the masses. Jain scholars made significant contributions in all fields like philosophy, history, logic, geography, medicine, mathematics, grammar, astronomy, astrology and politics. They produced a number of eminent ministers, monarchs and generals to maintain and improve the political system in the country. Jains have played an important role in the development of different languages in India and they have produced vast literature in these languages.
Ethical Code
Jainism is the only religion which is founded on the main principle of Ahimsa or non-violence. Compassion and piety are important factors in the growth of an ethical society.
Conclusion
Jains enriched various regional languages and their earlier canonical writings and commentaries were first written in Prakrit dialect and later in Sanskrit. These were then written in various languages like Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu in order to be accessible to the masses. Thus they occupy an important position in the history of literature in India. Their contribution to art and culture has led to prosperity in the country as most of them were merchants and bankers and organised inland and overseas trade, commerce and industries. This led to growth of towns and cities and there was sound economy which can be seen in the different varieties of coins minted during that period. At every period of history, the Jains have made valuable contribution in the field of art and architecture with the period between 9th and 12th AD considered to be the golden age in the history of Jain Art and Culture.