SOAS Research Online

Abstract

In museums and exhibitions, the Jaina tradition has generally been presented in stereotyped form. The approach of the Pure Soul exhibition at The Brunei Gallery SOAS was different. For the first time, philosophical and social differences within the Jaina tradition were placed at centre stage, highlighting the internal pluralism of Jaina thought and practice, and the fact that there are distinct varieties of Jaina ethics. The premise was that in its processes of internal differentiation, the vitality and creativity of the Jaina tradition manifests itself. The aim was to inform a wider public about previously underrepresented facets of the Jaina way of life, in particular on the non-image venerating Śvetāmbara mendicant traditions, and lay traditions inspired by the spiritual teachings of the Digambara monk Kundakunda. Most of these traditions do not even feature in standard textbooks on Jainism, let alone exhibitions, though thirty to forty percent of Jainas follow them today.