Religious book of jains

The worlds almost 4 million jains are almost entirely located in india. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. There is no doubt that the wealth of new data and ideas offered in this exquisite book provides the deepest insights yet into the contemporary religious world of jain laity. Namokar mantra or namaskar mantra namo arihantanam. Jains in the world is a significant and welcome ethnography of contemporary jains in western india by the most prominent scholar of jainism in north america. The teachings of lord mahavira lord mahavira was born on march 30, 599 b. The jains have exerted an influence on indian society and religion out of proportion with their relatively small numbers. This book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. Jains dont worship to please gods, or in the hope of getting something from gods in return. Antiquity of jainism professor mahavir saran jain lord mahavira is not the founder of jainism.

The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. Once again, we need look no further than the jains. This book provides an orderly and clear exposition of jainism as a philosophy and way of life, jain history, and the jains as a people. Aug 30, 20 professor james laine religious studies, macalester college. The word canon for the jain holy writings is increasingly felt to be inadequate, for it implies an unchanging body of texts sanctioned by a central authority. Over the centuries teachers and thinkers have written extensively on jain beliefs and the rules of living that support them. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures. Many adherents take measures to observe all religious restrictions on anant chaturdashi fasting, observing the 10 virtues, etc. In these books there are lucid descriptions on the birth of jainism. The singhis belong to the ancient jain community, a religious minority comprising around 4. Living according to these rules, whether mendicant or lay, puts religious principles into practice and helps jains develop spiritually and eventually gain emancipation. These writings are the basis of their ritual and religious life and are venerated in various ways. If you consider becoming a devoted vegetarian, study this book and learn what it means to be one.

Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The jains believe in idol worship just like the hindus. This knowledge was orally transferred from acharyas gurus to the disciples over the course of about one thousand years. Jainism traditionally known as jain dharma, is an ancient indian religion. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an integral part of south asian religious belief and practice. Equally interesting for non jains of either indian, nonindian, or western origin, and for students and scholars of nonviolence, vegetarianism, and ecology. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide.

Jan 01, 2001 it will serve for some time as a paradigmatic monograph for future empirical studies of jain religious life. Bibliography jainism religion yale forum on religion. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. Asked in buddhism, quran koran, religious literature what religions holy book is the quran. Cort this book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. It will serve for some time as a paradigmatic monograph for future empirical studies of jain religious life. For example, all three traditions share a notion of karma as the actions of individuals that determine their future births, yet each has attached unique connotations to the concept. Bulletin of the school of oriental and african studies jains in the world is a significant and welcome. Since gautama buddha, founder of buddhism, belonged to the same region of magadha as mahavira the 24th tirthankar of jainism, and because both were contemporaries, it was assumed erroneously that jainism was contemporary of buddhism or was an off. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview. The spiritual energy vital for the rigors of the religious life b. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects. Equally interesting for nonjains of either indian, nonindian, or western origin, and for students and scholars of nonviolence, vegetarianism, and ecology.

The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. Be sure to buy this 2nd, revised and updated edition. When we think about the notion of ahimsa or nonviolence that is central to gandhis thought, you know, that goes back to jain. Each of the three jain sects may celebrate slightly different festivals so not all jains will celebrate every holiday. Contact us 715 bellemeade place, alpharetta, ga 0004, usa.

Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the jain religion. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. The book explains the institutional structures that make up jain society and gives a comprehensive exposition of the major facets of jain practice. Jains are businesspeople and present in many corners of the former british empire, as well as in the usa as computer specialists.

The holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. I thought i knew so much about jainism until i read this book, i learned so much more about the culture and beliefs of the jains and jainism. There was a disagreement between early hinduism, and ascetic movements such as jainism with the scriptural access to women. Jain fundamentals jain rituals jain scriptures jain. The essay is part of professor mockos current enhancing life manuscript, ecokarma. The book will also be a fine choice for undergraduate students in a variety of fields, including religious studies, south asian studies, the history of religion and comparative philosophy. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. As jainism focuses heavily on meditation and the path of virtue, many jains spend this day contemplating and then living out the virtuous path, by performing acts of charity. Books on jainism and jain philosophy hindu website.

Jain holidays and festivals largely revolve around important events such as births and deaths in the lives of the thirthnkaras, or saints. Every day jains bow their heads and say their universal prayer, the navkar mantra. What western environmentalists might learn from indias jains, a book designed specifically for a nonspecialist audience, either a popular readership or an undergraduate classroom. Jains have sustained the ancient shraman or ascetic religion and have significantly influenced other religious, ethical, political and economic spheres in india. For this reason jains of the world will doubtless prove to be a fundamental turning point in the development of jaina studies. At a superficial level jain temple worship seems to contain. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain.

The religion of jains included women in their fourfold sangha. Mar 17, 2015 jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. On mahavir jayanti, jains visit colorfully decorated temples, perform religious rituals and prayer and ceremonially bathe statues of mahavira.

Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and m. Professor james laine religious studies, macalester college. This book offers an illuminating portrait of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Jainism introduction yale forum on religion and ecology. Oct 17, 2010 the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. Two papers outlining how the jaina view of reality helps to make decisions that will result in increased peacefulness, happiness and love for ourselves, as well as for other living beings. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Devout jains follow the tenets of their religion under the spiritual guidance of. It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source texts.

Mocko phd 12 contributes the next installment in our new extended issue with her essay, attending to insects. Bulletin of the school of oriental and african studies jains in the world is a there is no doubt that the wealth of new data and ideas offered in this exquisite book provides the deepest insights yet into the contemporary. The journal of religion this book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. John cort, professor of asian and comparative religions, denison university, and author of jains in the world.

Sep 14, 2009 jains dont worship to please gods, or in the hope of getting something from gods in return. As jainism focuses heavily on meditation and the path of virtue, many jains spend this day contemplating and then living out. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan posted by chris, emily, and kelly at. The journal of religion there is no doubt that the wealth of new data and ideas offered in this exquisite book provides the deepest insights yet into the contemporary religious world of jain liaty.

This book offers an illuminating portrait of the ancient indian religion of. He explores asceticism, worship, the life of the jain layperson, relations between jainism and other indic traditions, the jain philosophy of relativity, and the implications of jain ideals for the contemporary world. Imagine how different our world might be if the bible contained this as its central precept. Jainism contains many elements that are somewhat similar to parts of hinduism and buddhism. There are often found in temple, inscribed on the walls or in textual form where jains can pray to them. An introduction by charles samuel braden chapter 7. This book is a must for scholars of south asian religions and will provide scholars of hindu traditions fine grounding both in a central dialectic of jain thought and in contemporary jain. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. The religious scripture of the jains are known as agama. It is important to understand the latter two to understand the conditions under which jains have survived and maintained and practiced their religion. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The jain observances of nonviolence, for instance, are not ultimately performed for the sake of protecting the individual uniqueness of any given lifeform for its own sake. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being.

Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. Mahavira, the jain patriarch, surpassed the morality of the bible with a single sentence. Religious values and ideology in india hardcover by john, e. The arhant heritage jainism shraman culture is confirmed by the writings in srimad bhagwad, padmapuran, vishnupuran, skandapuran and shivpuran, naradpuran, manusmriti and other religious book. The jains the library of religious beliefs and practices. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism. In festivals, they are often in book form, representing knowledge and physical objects. All good work and events start with this prayer of salutation and worship. They are written in the ardhamagadhi prakrit language. The worlds almost 4 million jains are almost entirely located. The teachings of the twenty four tirthankaras were first composed in fourteen purvas and later in twelve angpravishthaagams an ang being a limb by ganadhars themselves. Jains believe that jainism is an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of jain cosmology.

Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Mahaviras disciples compiled his words into texts or sutras, and memorised them to pass on to future generations. Jainism ontario consultants on religious tolerance. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an. Separate chapters present descriptions of temple worship and the connected jain understandings of divinity.

The jains in society is the first book to address the sociology of the jains and to discuss the notion of the community based on religious affiliation in india. Jainism, hinduism, and buddhism share many key concepts derived from the sanskrit language and dialects that have enabled them to hone their religious debates. Lord mahavirs preaching was orally complied by his disciples into many texts. First, as various authors in this book will point out, the telos or goal of jainism lies beyond all worldly concerns. The faithful ask forgiveness of family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and enemies, with some offering puja to the tirthankars spiritual exemplars. The texts had to be memorised since jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of nonacquisition. Jainism differs from other religions in its concept of god. Perhaps of least interest to general readers, of all the scriptures treated in this volume, are those of the jain faith, simply because they are so monastic in character. Mar 22, 2001 for this reason jains in the world will doubtless prove to be a fundamental turning point in the development of jaina studies. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras.