The Trimandiras of the Akrama Vijñāna Mārga

Flügel, Peter

Abstract

The analysis of the standard practice of image-veneration in
the Akram Vijñan Mārg enables us to answer the question about the differences between the spiritual (adhyātmika) discourses of A.M. Paṭel, his elder contemporary Kanajī Svāmī, and of Śrīmad Rājacandra. The core teachings of these three non-monastic 20th century Gujarātī Jaina religious philosophers go back to the Digambara mystic Kundakunda. They are in many respects indistinguishable, except for two fundamental differences: the role of the guru’s grace (kṛpa), emphasized by Rājacandra and A.M. Paṭel, but rejected by Kānajī Svāmī, and the attitude to and practice of image worship (mūrti-pūjā).

Citation

Flügel, P. (2023). The Trimandiras of the Akrama Vijñāna Mārga. In P. Flügel, H. De Jonckheere, & R. Söhnen-Thieme (Eds.), Pure Soul: The Jaina Spiritual Traditions (172-193). Centre of Jaina Studies, SOAS

• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Apr 14, 2023
• Deposit Date: Apr 25, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 25, 2023
• Pages: 172-193
• Book Title: Pure Soul: The Jaina Spiritual Traditions
• ISBN: 9781399946865
• Keywords: Jainism, Akrama Vijñāna Mārga, A.M. Paṭel, trimandira, Sīmandhara Svāmī, Kṛṣṇa, Śiva, Kundakunda, spiritualism, image veneration, syncretism