Jainism in Bihar

Jainism in Bihar trace a long history since the times of twenty-fourth Tirthankara Mahavira, who was born in Vaishali (near Hajipur). The state of Bihar is considered to have played an important role in the development of Jainism.

History

Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapur, Bhagalpur and attained all his Pancha Kalyanaka in Champapuri. Munisuvrata, the 20th Jain tirthankara was born in Rajgir. Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th and the last Tirthankara of Jainism, was born in Vaishali around sixth century B.C. His father was Kshatriya from Ikshvaku Dynasty chief of Kundalpur which has been identified with modern-day Nalanda district. Mahavir achieved nirvana in Pawapuri which is today a pilgrimage site for Jains from across the world. An ancient black statue of Lord Mahavira weighing around 250 kg was recently stolen from Jamui, Bihar. The statue was later recovered by the Police.

Nālandā

• The 24th Jaina Tirthankara MahāvÄ«ra is said to have spent 'many Cāturmāsyas (rainy seasons)' at Nālandā. Canonical scriptures of the Śvetāmbara sect also mention that Nālandā was known by other names such as Nālandāpada and Nālandā Sanniveśa. The texts further highlight that it was a suburb of Rājagṛha. MahāvÄ«ra is said to have had met Makkhali-gosāla, the leader of the ĀjÄ«vakas, for the first time at Nālandā.
• Jaina tradition records that some of MahāvÄ«ra’s Gaṇadharas (disciples), namely IndrabhÅ«ti Gautama, AgnibhÅ«ti Gautama, and VāyubhÅ«ti Gautama were born in Nālandā.
• SÅ«trakṛtāṅga SÅ«tra, a canonical Jaina scripture, contains a lecture (Book 2, Lecture 7) narrating a conversation about non-violence between IndrabhÅ«ti Gautama and Lepa, a Jaina householder in Nālandā.
• Majjhima Nikāya, an ancient Buddhist text, mentions that MahāvÄ«ra had visited Nālandā along with many of his followers.
• Vividha TÄ«rtha Kalpa, a 14th century text by Ācārya JinaprabhasÅ«ri, mentions that MahāvÄ«ra completed 14 rainy seasons at Nālandā and that 'it is the source of all beauty.
• In his travel chronicle written in 1509 CE, Jaina monk, Muni Hansasomavijaya mentions the presence of 16 Jaina temples in Nālandā. Panyās Jayavijaya states the presence of 17 Jaina temples by 1608 CE in the region. However, by 1694 CE, most of the temples were destroyed and Panyās Saubhāgyavijaya records the presence of a temple and a stÅ«pa only.
• The ASIGoI report of 1861 mentions the presence of a Jaina temple in the premises of the ruins of Nālandā University. It was found to have had the same architecture style as seen in the Great Temple at Bodha Gayā and was dated to 5th century CE. The temple was found to have Jaina images and sculptures dated to 1447 CE.
• The Indian Antiquary (1918) mentions that the Jaina temple found within the ruins of Nālandā is the oldest temple in the region.
• According to Muni Nyāyavijaya (c. 1949), there were 2 Jaina temples and at least 100 Jaina images at Nālandā.
• The Indian Archaeology (1955-56) also mentions the recovery of a Jaina image from Nālandā.
• Currently, the Śvetāmbara Jaina temple at Nālandā shares a wall with the ruins of Nālandā University and has ancient Jaina images dated to as early as the 10th century CE. The principal idol of the temple is an image of Ṛṣabhanātha, the 1st Jaina Tirthankara. It features unique iconography depicting MarudevÄ«, his mother, on top of his head. The image also features elongated hairlocks, typically seen in Śvetāmbara Jaina iconography of Ṛṣabhanātha. Other ancient images include idols of Śāntinātha, the 16th Jaina Tirthankara, MahāvÄ«ra, the 24th Jaina Tirthankara and of Pārśvanātha, the 23rd Jaina Tirthankara. Ancient footprints of IndrabhÅ«ti Gautama and other Gaṇadharas are also present in a separate temple in the same premises.