A Vital Matters Perspective: Mobile Communities and Representations of Sacred Lo

Mobile Communities and Representations of Sacred Locations

Lynna R. Dhanani explores how the mobility of Jain lay communities—many of whom were merchants—has influenced the representation and circulation of sacred sites. As Jains traveled across India and the globe, including to East Africa, the UK, and the U.S., they brought devotional images with them. These portable representations of stationary sacred sites served as reminders of Jinas and their liberation, helping maintain devotional connection across distances and generations.

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1 ARTWORK

Guatama's Pilgrimage to Ashtapada

Unidentified artist(s)

Chod pata of Guatama's Pilgrimage to Ashtapada

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Guatama's Pilgrimage to Ashtapada

Unidentified artist(s)

Chod pata of Guatama's Pilgrimage to Ashtapada

p034

p035

p036

t001

t002

t003

t004

t007

v0190

v0207

v0209

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v0200

v0208

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v0182

v0197

v0186

v0195

v0215

Guatama's Pilgrimage to Ashtapada

Unidentified artist(s)

Chod pata of Guatama's Pilgrimage to Ashtapada

p034

p035

p036

t001

t002

t003

t004

t007

v0190

v0207

v0209

v0213

v0203

v0199

v0214

v0201

v0191

v0196

v0206

v0202

v0193

v0204

v0187

v0205

v0189

v0192

v0185

v0184

v0188

v0181

v0194

v0183

v0212

v0210

v0198

v0200

v0208

v0211

v0182

v0197

v0186

v0195

v0215

1 PERSON
Headshot of Lynna Dhanani

Lynna

Dhanani

Assistant Professor

Religious Studies, University of California, Davis

Headshot of Lynna Dhanani

Lynna

Dhanani

Assistant Professor

Religious Studies, University of California, Davis

Headshot of Lynna Dhanani

Lynna

Dhanani

Assistant Professor

Religious Studies, University of California, Davis

Copyright © 2025 Fowler Museum.

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Fowler Museum.

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2025 Fowler Museum.

All Rights Reserved.