Samavasarana

Samavasarana of Tirthankara

In Jainism, Samavasarana or Samosharana "Refuge to All" is a term for the divine preaching hall of the Tirthankara. The word samavasarana is derived from two words, sama meaning general and avasara meaning opportunity. A place where all have a common opportunity of acquiring the wisdom.[1] The divine pavilion is built by heavenly beings (devas) after the tirthankara attain omniscience (Kevala Jnana).[2] The theme of Samavasaranas has been popular in Jain art.[3]

Hall

Samosharana of Tirthankara Rishabha (Ajmer Jain temple)

In samavasarana, the tirthankara sat on a throne without touching it (about two inches above it).[4] Around the tirthankara sit the ganadharas (chief disciples). Living beings sit in the following order:[5]

According to Jain texts, there would be four wide roads with four huge columns, Manasthamba (literally, pride pillar), one in each side.[6] The total size of the hall varies depending upon the height of the people in that era. The size of Rishabhadeva's samavasarana was 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi).[7]

Effects of the Samavasarana

Samavasarana

In samavasarana, a tirthankara sits facing the east, but appears to be looking in all directions.[5] Tirthankara sits on a soft cushion while preaching the Jain philosophy in plain terms.[8] All humans and animals can understand the discourse. Jain scriptures say that all creatures who listen would become less violent and greed less.[9] The speech of the tirthankara is distinctly heard by every one present.[5]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Jain 2008, p. 97.
  2. ↑ http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/jainism/jains.html Jains
  3. ↑ Wiley, Kristi L. (2009), Scarecrow Press, p. 184, ISBN 9780810868212 https://books.google.co.in/books?id=kUz9o-EKTpwC Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ Jain 2008, p. 95.
  5. 1 2 3 Jain 2008, p. 96.
  6. ↑ Jain 2008, p. 93.
  7. ↑ "APPENDIX 14". jainworld.com.
  8. ↑ Jain 2008, p. 98.
  9. ↑ Pramansagar 2008, p. 39-43.

References

Further reading

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