Prayala, Prayāla: 1 definition

Introduction:

Prayala 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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Prayāla (प्रयाल) is the name of the caitya-tree (identified with Shorea robusta) under which the parents of Abhinandana are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to the Digambara tradition. According to the Śvetāmbara tradition the tree is known as Priyaka (or, Piyaka). The term caitya refers to “sacred shrine”, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.

Abhinandana is the fourth of twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras: enlightened beings who, having conquered saṃsāra (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is Saṃvara and his mother is Siddhartha, according to the Ācāradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by Vardhamāna Sūri).

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context information

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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