c. Early 11th century

Standing Digambara Jina

One of the twenty-four savior-saints of Jainism, this jina stands upright and motionless with his feet together and his long arms hanging to his knees. The posture, called the body-denying pose (kayotsargamudra), is a meditational posture that disregards the physical body to free the practitioner from the cycles of rebirth. The jina's complete nudity but for the auspicious diamond-shaped mark on his chest indicates that the image comes from a temple of the Digambara (sky-clad) branch of Jainism. Digambaras believe that complete renunciation of all worldly attachments, including clothing, is necessary for spiritual release. Although the unadorned jina is considered to be without actual physical presence, he symbolizes perfection and so is honored by being placed on a lion throne beneath an elaborate multi-tiered parasol, attributes given to royalty in India.