Samavasarana
Encyclopedia
Samavasarana or Samosarana "Refuge to All" is a Jain
term for the divine preaching hall or the assembly of the Tirthankara after attaining perfect knowledge or Kevala Jnana
. It also refers to the hall in which the speech is given. The theme of Samavasaranas has been a popular one in Jain art.
is played. Most Jains believe that he would speak so that all human
s and animal
s can understand the language, and his voice would be so pleasant that it would literally sound melodious. Jain scriptures say that all creatures who listen would become less violent
and greedy
. All creatures, especially monastics, would be encouraged to come to the event, no matter how far they are.
s, or disciples. It would have a cushion that is shaded by a tree twelve times the height of the Tirthankara. The second tier would be for humans, and the third for animals. The fourth would be an area to park the vehicle
s and modes of transportation in which the visitors would arrive. According to Jainism, there would be gates on all sides of the hall. The total size of the hall would be 12 km² and the area on which it sits would have been cleaned and leveled pneumatically.
Jainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
term for the divine preaching hall or the assembly of the Tirthankara after attaining perfect knowledge or Kevala Jnana
Kevala Jnana
In Jainism, ' or ' , "Perfect or Absolute Knowledge", is the highest form of knowledge that a soul can attain. A person who has attained is called a Kevalin, which is synonymous with Jina "victor" and Arihant "the worthy one"...
. It also refers to the hall in which the speech is given. The theme of Samavasaranas has been a popular one in Jain art.
Effects of the Samavasarana
Jains believe that during this speech, there is no unhappiness for miles around the site. The Tirthankar sits on a soft cushion while he speaks, and musicMusic
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
is played. Most Jains believe that he would speak so that all human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s and animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
s can understand the language, and his voice would be so pleasant that it would literally sound melodious. Jain scriptures say that all creatures who listen would become less violent
Ahimsa
Ahimsa is a term meaning to do no harm . The word is derived from the Sanskrit root hims – to strike; himsa is injury or harm, a-himsa is the opposite of this, i.e. non harming or nonviolence. It is an important tenet of the Indian religions...
and greedy
Aparigraha
Aparigraha is the concept of non-possessiveness, being both a Jain concept and a part of the Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga traditions. The term usually means to limit possessions to what is necessary or important, which changes with the time period, though sadhus would not have any possessions.It is...
. All creatures, especially monastics, would be encouraged to come to the event, no matter how far they are.
Hall
Jain doctrine states that there would be four tiers in the circular hall where the Samavasarana would be held. The first and highest would be for the Tirthankara and his GanadharaGanadhara
In Jainism, a Ganadhara "Troupe leader" is a primary disciple of a Tirthankara. All twenty-four Tirthankaras had ganadharas, but the number varied....
s, or disciples. It would have a cushion that is shaded by a tree twelve times the height of the Tirthankara. The second tier would be for humans, and the third for animals. The fourth would be an area to park the vehicle
Vehicle
A vehicle is a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo. Most often vehicles are manufactured, such as bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, boats, and aircraft....
s and modes of transportation in which the visitors would arrive. According to Jainism, there would be gates on all sides of the hall. The total size of the hall would be 12 km² and the area on which it sits would have been cleaned and leveled pneumatically.