Pancatirthika, Pancan-tirthika, Pañcatīrthika: 1 definition

Introduction:

Pancatirthika means something in Jainism, Prakrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

Alternative spellings of this word include Panchatirthika.

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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Pancatirthika in Jainism glossary
Source: HereNow4U: Classification of Jaina Bronzes from Western India

Pañcatīrthika (पञ्चतीर्थिक) refers to a “composition of a seated Jina surrounded by four attendant Jinas”.—At least since the beginning of the 5th century CE a variety of images depicting sitting and standing Tīrthaṅkaras framed by a wide range of iconographical elements and attending figures appears. [...] The adoption of Buddhist imagery, e.g. the dharmacakra flanked by gazelles, and the apparent resemblance of the Jina's face to the faces of Buddhist sculptures leads to the assumption that sculptures from both Buddhist and Jaina contexts were manufactured by the same artists. So the tradition of the multiple Jina image, e.g. the tritīrthika (composition of a seated Jina with two standing Jinas on either side) or pañcatīrthika (composition of a seated Jina surrounded by four attendant Jinas), may be linked to earlier Buddhist triads (i.e. a Buddha attended by two Bodhisattvas).

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Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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