SOAS - 10th Jaina Studies Workshop [07] The Vijñaptipatras: Texts and Representations

Friday, 7th March 2008
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theater

Jaina Art & Architecture
10th Jaina Studies Workshop at SOAS

The Vijñaptipatras: Texts and Representations

Lecture: The Vijñaptipatras: Texts and Representations - Prof. Nalini Balbir, University of Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle.

Prof. Nalini Balbir,
University of Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle

Abstract:

The invitation scrolls (vijñaptipatra) sent by Jain lay communities to Svetambara mendicants in order to request them to spend a rainy season in their particular locality are an original manifestation of Jain culture. They combine pictorial art (stereotyped motives and specific themes) with literary achievements (kavya style in Sanskrit, vernacular poems, citrakavya and riddles) in a skillful way which leads to a cumulative discourse of praise both of men (the Jain monk as a teacher) and places. These scrolls represent both a regional and sectarian tradition. They predominantly come from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and have been in use especially within the Kharataragaccha from about the 15th-16th cen­tury to the early 20th century. Based on a few examples, our investiga­tion (which will take into account earlier studies on the topic) will be an attempt to highlight the main features of the specific rhetoric at work in the vijñaptipatras.

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Lecture: The Vijñaptipatras: Texts and Representations - Prof. Nalini Balbir, University of Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle. Lecture: The Vijñaptipatras: Texts and Representations - Prof. Nalini Balbir, University of Paris III, Sorbonne Nouvelle.