ASIA FEATURES
Jainism
Detail from a Jain victory banner or Jayatra Yantra, 1447. Museum no. IM.89-1936 (click image for larger version)
The V&A has one of the most important permanent collections of Jain art in the UK, including remarkable sculptures and paintings.
Jainism is one of the major religions to originate in India, along with Hinduism and Buddhism, and has been continuously practised there since at least the 6th century BC. Despite the fact that Jainism's strict adherence to non violence has inspired such leaders as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, the religion is little known outside India and the rich artistic tradition it developed has received scant attention.
An artistic heritage spanning a period of over 2,000 years comprises an astonishing variety of sculpture, paintings, ritual objects and textiles. The Jains, despite their rigorous ideal of non-attachment to the material world, have produced a cultural heritage rich in its imaginative splendour.
The V&A has a long history of displaying Jain art and in 1996 hosted The Peaceful Liberators - Jain Art from India. This was the first ever international exhibition of Jain art and was jointly organised by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
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Jain Art & Religion
These pages focus on the artistic heritage of Jainism, as seen in religious books, images of deities and Jinas, and Jain religious architecture.
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Explore the Statues
There are many symbols and signs included in Jain images. In this section you can learn more about the meaning of some of the images and the stories behind them.
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The Jain Faith
These pages are about the Jain faith. Central issues, such as non-violence, pilgrimage and asceticism are covered, as is how Jainism is practised today in the UK.
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Snakes and Ladders
Snakes and ladders was a popular game in India, and this version teaches about Jain beliefs. The board represents a person's progress in life - the good and the bad. Play the game online...
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Videos: Stories about Jain Objects
Members of the London Jain community talk about objects that have personal significance.
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Jain Community Views on Objects in the Collection
From April to September 2006, seven advisory groups were held with different faith community groups. The aims of these were to consult with the communities that the V&A collections were relevant to and see what reactions the members of the advisory groups had about the items.
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Jain Art & Religion
These pages focus on the artistic heritage of Jainism, as seen in religious books, images of deities and Jinas, and Jain religious architecture.
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Jain Links
A selection of useful links about Jains and Jainism.
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Jain Reading List
Further reading on Jainism.