ಮೂಡಬಿದರೆ ಬಗೆಗೆ ಹಿಂದೂ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯ ಲೇಖನ

Moodbidri — woods of yore
GOWRI RAMNARAYAN



"I'M going to see the Jain basadis tomorrow," said the participant ata heritage seminar at Manipal. The light in his eyes came not from aconservationist's curiosity, but a pilgrim's devotion. It inspiredyou to undertake a similar, shorter trip to see the monuments of acreed that some scholars trace back to Harappa and Mohenjadaro.



With asceticism and ahimsa as its ideals (inspiring the Buddha?),Jainism is identified with metaphysical reflexivity anduncompromising ethics. Reduced to a minority through centuries ofreligious persecution, Jains are best known today for their businessacumen and practice of charity. The national anthem names them, butthis country knows little about Jain culture past and present.



The two-hour drive from Manipal (35 km from Mangalore) offers ampletime to recall that Jainism sees God as Infinite Knowledge,Perception, Consciousness and Joy. The universe has no beginning, noend. As the yugas roll on, the 24 tirthankaras (Fjord Makers) teachhumanity to reach moksha by burning up the karma of innumerable birthcycles, Parshvanatha (877-777 B.C.) and Mahavira (599-527 B.C.) beingsuch archetypal guides in the present age. The five-fold mantraoffers obeisance not to God, but to perfected beings (Arahanta),liberated souls (Siddha), masters (Acharya), teachers (Upadhyaya),virtue seekers (Sadhus). Individuals must find release through theirown efforts, not through divine intervention.



Unrelenting austerity? But did it not spark awesome creativity inarchitecture, sculpture, painting and poetry? Ancient tongues Tamiland Prakrit are rich with literary contributions from the Jain monks.Shravanabelagola (Karnataka), Palitana (Gujarat), Bawangaja (MadhyaPradesh), Shikharjin Madhuban (Bihar) stun the eye with theirmagnificence.