English

Jain Svetambara Tirthankara in Meditation

first half of the 11th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 241
At the heart of daily Jain religious observance is the veneration of the image of the jina, the conceptual basis of which is the pan-Indian ideal of the yogic ascetic. This ancient practice, celebrated in the Vedas (the most ancient Hindu texts), equates the acquisition of spiritual wisdom with the pursuit of advanced forms of meditation and withdrawal from material comforts. In Jainism, the twenty-four liberated souls who are recognized as having attained this elevated state are worshipped as tirthankaras (ford crossers). This jina-tirthankara, seated on a bejeweled throne cushion, was probably intended to represent Mahavira, the historical founder of Jainism, a near contemporary of the Buddha Shakyamuni in the fifth century B.C.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Jain Svetambara Tirthankara in Meditation
  • Period: Solanki period
  • Date: first half of the 11th century
  • Culture: India (Gujarat or Rajasthan)
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: H. 39 in. (99 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Gift, 1992
  • Object Number: 1992.131
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

Audio

Cover Image for 7908. Jain Svetambara Tirthankara in Meditation, Seated on a Throne Cushion

7908. Jain Svetambara Tirthankara in Meditation, Seated on a Throne Cushion

Gallery 241

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This figure looks very much like a Buddha, but it is actually a Tirthankara, of the Jain religion. According to Jain doctrine, there were twenty-four Tirthankaras. The word means “one who crosses the ford,” that is to say becomes a transcendent being, like Buddhas. Both Tirthankarasand Buddhas are often portrayed meditating in the yogic posture you see here. But the mark on this figure’s chest is unique to Tirthankaras—it’s a sign of good fortune. The white marble of the statue is also another distinguishing feature: it’s from Gujarat, the center for Jainism, and is used in many important Jain monuments.
Jain sculpture is conservative. The Tirthankara figures are outwardly passive, with a minimum of drapery to distract the viewer. Some Jain sculptures are blocky and schematized, but here, the forms are soft and the volumes flow beautifully one into the other. Jainism and Buddhism were founded about the same time and share many beliefs. Jainism offers release from the cycle of endless rebirth through purification of the mind and body, emphasizing discipline and asceticism. You may notice that above and behind this sculpture is an impressive wooden dome. This is from a late 15th century Jain meeting hall. To hear more about it, move to the side of this figure. Then enter number 7980 on your player.

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