Vijnaptipatra, Vijñaptipatra, Vijnapti-patra: 1 definition

Introduction:

Vijnaptipatra 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)

[«previous next»] — Vijnaptipatra in Jainism glossary
Source: Shodhganga: A cultural study on the jain western Indian illustrated manuscripts

Vijñaptipatra (विज्ञप्तिपत्र).—The vijñaptipatras were chiefly meant to invite a Jaina āchārya or preceptor to stay with a Jaina saṅgha or community of a particular locality during the next chaumāsā, i.e., the period of the four months of the rainy season when touring is not allowed to a Jaina monk. While conveying the invitation, these letters were meant to atone for the acts of commission and omission of the members of a saṅgha and to convey their good wishes for the whole of humanity.

The vijñaptipatras also contain references to various topics and often gave historical information of considerable interest. They usually convey in pictorial form a description of the locality from which the invitation was issued, and these exciting pictures are valuable for various studies.

The custom of sending vijñaptipatras originated in Gujarāt-Kaṭhiāwād and was the practice followed by the Śvetāṃbara Jaina community. The vijñaptipatras were written in Sanskrit and some parts in local dialect like Māiwādi and Gujarāti, as some vijñaptipatras have been invitations sent from Udaipur and Jodhpur to ācharyās in Gujarāt.

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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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