17th Annual Jaina Lecture: Nidāna, A Word with Different Meanings
Professor Shin Fujinaga (Miyakonojo National College of Technology, Miyazaki, Japan)
Date: 17 March 2017Time: 6:00 PM Finishes: 17 March 2017
Time: 7:30 PM Venue: Brunei Gallery Room: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre Type of Event: Workshop
Abstract:
Organiser: Dr Peter Flugel Contact email:As a part of introductory remark of this lecture, an overview of the general meaning of the word nidāna in Buddhism and Jainism as well as in Hindu texts is given, and it is shown how modern scholars understand it. Mostly the word designates a cause in general and especially that of rebirth. The Jains use it in this particular context.
The main part of the lecture explores Jain texts focusing on the term nidāna: Āyāradasāo, Vavahāra, Tattvārthasūtra, Samāiccakahā, Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacarita, and others. Through an understanding of the uses of the word nidāna in various fields of Jaina literature the nature of this fundamental concept in Jainism can be grasped.
In conclusion some points for further research on this term are discussed, the reason why the Jains use this word in different ways, and the necessity for further studies of Jain texts