Looking for Evidence of Early Jainas Archaeology, Folk Religion, and Women
By Christopher Key Chapple, Thomas Mcevilley, Robert Decaroli
Summary
This article explores the potential connections between the early Jaina tradition and archaeological, folk, and gender-related evidence from India's ancient past. It compares the eternalist cosmologies of Indian religions (Hindu, Buddhist, and Jaina) with the linear creationist narratives of Abrahamic religions, noting that Jainism denies any beginning or divine creation of the universe. Key Points: 1) Archaeological Gaps: A major historical gap exists between 1500–500 BCE in Indian archaeology, making it hard to trace continuity. Oral traditions and perishable materials like wood and palm leaves explain the lack of surviving artifacts 2) Indus Valley Evidence: The article reflects on how seals and images (e.g., meditating figures, svastikas, serpents, bulls, trees) from Harappa and Mohenjo-daro might relate to later Jaina symbolism and practices. However, scholars caution against making exclusive claims for Jainism due to similar adoption in Hindu and Buddhist traditions 3) Three Scholarly Views: i) Thomas McEvilley: Sees continuity in meditative iconography and serpentine motifs, linking them to Jain imagery and early references to Jaina practices. ii) Robert DeCaroli: Acknowledges visual overlaps but highlights the historical gap; attributes continuity to folk religious practices. iii) Katherine Harper: Argues that early Indian cultures were egalitarian toward women, and that the persistence of Jaina female renouncers signals a link to pre-Aryan cultural traditions.
Conclusion
These interpretations are not part of traditional Jain cosmology (as in the Tattvartha Sutra), but are attempts by modern scholars, influenced by Western historical methods, to understand Jainism in its broader cultural and historical setting. The editor also notes additional contributions that further explore links between Jaina asceticism and Indus Valley culture.