The final goal of a Jain, like a Buddhist or Hindu, is to sever the chain or rebirths and achieve a state of liberation for the soul known as kaivala or nirvana. Jainism espoused the cause of nonviolence and taught that the path to enlightenment and liberation was one of asceticism and meditation.
As with Buddhist sculpture, the image is not worshipped as a deity, but honored as a symbol of perfection that points the worshipper toward a spiritual goal.
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  Title:Jina Artist:Artist Unknown Date:12th-13th century Creation Place:Asia, India, , Gujarat Credit Line:The Katherine Kittredge McMillan Memorial Fund Accession Number:98.211     Probably carved in the state of Gujarat in west India, this burnished stone image represents one of the twenty-four "teacher-liberators" (jinas) of the Jain religion. Most likely, it is Vardhamana Mahavira (about 599-527 b.c.), an elder contemporary of the Buddha. The figure is shown in the pose of meditation (dhyanasana) seated cross-legged on an elaborate cushion carved with stylized floral sprays. Though similar to images of the meditating Buddha, the subject is clearly identified as a Jain subject by the quatrefoil medallion (srivatsa) in the center of the chest.
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object 3 of 12
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