Jaina Non-Tīrthas in Madhyadeśa I: Fragments of Digambara Temples and A New Vaiṣṇava Inscription in Tumain

Flügel, Peter; Balogh, Dániel; Wright, J. Clifford; Mallinson, James

Abstract

The article introduces the term 'non-tīrtha' as a new analytical category to designate Jaina sacred sites that have vanished or do not yet exist, according to the cyclical Jaina conception of history. It presents new evidence on two different Digambara 'non-sites': Māmoṃ (Bhāmauna) and Tumain (Tumbavana). The Digambara temple of Māmoṃ has completely disintegrated, but is still listed as a tīrtha in Jaina pilgrimage guides, while the non-tīrtha of Tumain is not listed, despite its numerous ancient Jaina sculptures, pillars, and other historical remains. The article presents evidence for the long-sought location of a Jaina temple, and a previously unpublished 10th to 11th century Vaiṣṇava copper-plate inscription, featuring one of the oldest known epigraphic records pertaining to the history of yoga.

Citation

Flügel, P., Balogh, D., Wright, J. C., & Mallinson, J. (2020). Jaina Non-Tīrthas in Madhyadeśa I: Fragments of Digambara Temples and A New Vaiṣṇava Inscription in Tumain. Jaina studies, 15, 23-30

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 10, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 11, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 11, 2020
• Journal: Jaina studies
• Print ISSN: 2059-4151
• Electronic ISSN: 2059-416X
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Pages: 23-30
• Keywords: non-tīrtha, atīrtha, tīrtha, atittha, tittha, Jaina, Digambara, temple, pilgrimage place, sculpture, Tumain, Tumbavana, Vaiṣṇava, yoga, copper-plate inscription
• Publisher URL: https://www.soas.ac.uk/jainastudies/newsletter/