Doctrine Of The Jainas

The Doctrine of the Jainas is an English translaton of the world famous German book Die Lehre der Jainas of W. Schubring by Wolfgang Beurlen. The author has also revised the English translation thoroughly. He has tried that the Jaina friends might come to obtain an idea of what has been accomplished by Western scholars during a period of about one hundred and fifty years, burning the midnight oil, with a view to make the world acquaint with one of the finest achievements of the Indian mind. The author has tried to put the essence of Jaina religion and philosophy in a very clear way so that any student of religion or philosophy can easily trace out Jainism with a view of history, cosmology and cosmography. This enlarged edition contains three indices.

The doctrine of karman, the law of action and its results that is central to Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, is uniquely formulated in Jain philosophy. Simply stated, karman is here considered to take the form of material particles, which inhere in the soul, thus causing bondage. This process and its rationale, how it occurs and how one stops it, are minutely detailed in the Jain Karma-granthas. They also describe how one rids oneself of the karmic particles already accumulated, thus attaining liberation. The Karma-granthas form the basis of the present book, the only book in English on this subject of fundamental importance.

The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on Jainism. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that Glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of Jainism. The book is divided into

The religious tradition of the Jainas, unique in many respects, presents a fascinating array of doctrinal and social structures that stem from the anti-vedic movements of ancient times. Drawing extensively on primary sources, Professor Jaini provides a comprehensive introduction to the Jaina experience. Beginning with the Life of Mahavira the author elucidates the essentials of Jaina cosmology and philosophy as well as of the path of purification through which the soul may escape from its Karmic defilements and attain eternal salvation. This path constitutes the integral element within the broader frame-work of Jaina literature, lay ritual and the socio-historical factors, which enabled Jainism to survive and prosper to the present day. In particular, the author has examined the cardinal doctrine of ahimsa (non-harming), both in its impact upon Jaina religious consciousness and as a standard in applying its sacred principles to the conduct of every day life.

Preface 1. Jainism: An Introduction 2. History The Ancientness of Jainism, Origin, Early History, Medieval History, Modem History, References 3. Philosophy Basic Philosophy, Divine Laws, Primary Beliefs, Jiva, Ajiva, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, Moksh, Ethics, Metaphysics, Jainism: A Scientific Religion, Difference between Jainism and Vedic Hindu Religion, References 4. Concept of God Defining God, Arihant, Siddha, Dimensions of God, Deities, Yakshas and Yakshanis, Philosophy of God, Messengers of God, Tirthankar, Nirvana, References 5. Main Figures Main Figures in Early Period, Ajitnath, Sambhavnath, Abhinandannatha, Sumatinatha, Padmaprabha, Suparshavnatha, Chandraprabha, Pushpadanta, Sheetalnath, Shreyansanath, Vasupujya Swami, Vimalnath, Anantnath, Dharmanath, Shantinath, Kunthunath, Aranath, Mallinath, Main Figures in Medieval Period, Unisuvrata, Naminath, Neminatha, Parshavanath, Bhagwan Mahavir, Main Figures in Modem Period, Kundakunda, Acharya Hemachandra, References 6. Scriptures Divine Words, Namokar Mantra, Religious Scriptures, Agam Literature, Ang-agams, Ang-bahya-agams, Classification of Angbahya- agams, Digambar Jain Literature, Shatkhand-agam, Kashaypahud, Four Anuyogas, Details, Non-Religious Scriptures, References Faith & Philosophy of Jainism 7. Teachings Spiritual Teachings, Redemption, Devotion to God, Ethical Actions, Message of Harmony and Love, References 8. Moral Value System Moral Values, Morality in Life, Moral Values for Leader, Moral Duties of Subjects, Moral values in Society, Pratimas, Practical Aspects, References 9. Movements Religious Movements, The Sthanakvasi, Terapanth, The Kanji Swami Panth, Shrimad Rajachandra, Reform Movements, Reform Movements in the Digambar Sect, Reform Movements in the Shvetambar Sect, Revivalist Movements, References 10. Reformers Reformers in Early Period, Kundakunda, Acharya Bhadrabahu, Tiruvalluvar, Siddhasen Diwakar, Reformers in Medieval Period, Pujyapada, Haribhadra, Acharya Hemachandra, Reformers in Modern Period, Acharya Bhikshu, Acharya Rajendrasuri, Acharya Tulsi, Acharya Mahapragya, References 11. Major Sects Digambar Sect, Sub Sects, Shvetambar Sect, Sub Sects, References 12. Demographic Propagation Origin, Early Rise, Factors Responsible for Rise, Jainism in other Parts of World, Demographics, References 13. Socio-Political Influence Socio-Political Identity, Jainism and Politics, Fundamentalism, Contemporary Politics, References 14. Religious Rituals and Traditions 15. Society Social Order, Social Conduct, Social Ethics, Traditional Values, Caste System, Status of Women, References 16. Festivals Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti, Paryusana Parva, Diwali, New Year, Gyan Panchami, Paush dashami, Akshay Tritiya Tapa, Maun-agiyaras, Navapad Oli, Yaksha Puja, Snatra Mahotsav, Atthai Mahotsav, References 17. Religious Places 18. Art and Iconography 19. Mahatma Gandhi, Jainism and Indias Freedom Struggle Gandhis Life, Gandhi and Jainism, Gandhi & Jainism Principle of Ahimsa, Doctrine of Ahimsa and Freedom Movement, References 20. Jainism in Modern World Diaspora, Modem Religious Movements, Spiritual Revolution, Future, Jainism as a Global Religion, Great Mens Views on Jainism, References Bibliography Index

"This revised and expanded edition takes account of new research into Jainism as carried out over the last ten years."--BOOK JACKET.

About the Author Parveen Jain, PhD, is a prolific entrepreneur who has founded and led multiple technology companies in the Silicon Valley. He has ten technology patents, has contributed to over fifty technical publications, and has been recognized with multiple awards for his philanthropic and professional work. For over thirty years, Dr. Jain has been a leader in the vibrant Jain and Hindu communities of the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an ordained œrÀvaka (householder) disciple of °cÀrya Sushil Kumar (GurujÁ), the source of his religious and spiritual education and the motivation for Dr. Jain’s erudition in the Jain tradition. Dr. Jain is deeply involved in the growth of Siddhachalam, the first Jain Tirtha (a pilgrimage, and the abode of enlightened spirituality) outside of India, and considers that, along with leading the effort to build a Jain temple in the San Francisco Bay Area, to be his foremost accomplishment. Inspired by Guruji, he is passionate about applying Jain principles and scriptures to everyday practice for the growing global Jain community and beyond, for current and future generations. About the Book It is well-known that the Jain tradition has been extremely influential in the development of Indian thought and culture. The Jain tradition teaches that there is an interdependence of perception, knowledge, and conduct unified by an axiomatic principle of non-violence in thought, speech, and action. In this way, non-violence defines the core of the Jain tradition, which has had a profound effect on other dhārmic traditions originating in India. Jain Dharma is so significant that in some ways it may be incomplete to attempt to understand other Indian traditions (such as Buddhism or Hinduism) without knowing the basics of the Jain tradition, since these other traditions developed in an ongoing dialogue with the insights and wisdom of Jain respondents and visionaries. This book enables the reader to enjoy a comprehensive journey into the intricate world of Jain thought and culture in a way that is philosophical in its compelling rationality, deeply spiritual in its revelations, yet accessible in its language. The organization of this book allows the reader to engage in an overview of the central teachings of the Jain tradition, but also to ascertain the profundity of its depths. It can be read with equal efficacy in succession from beginning to end, or pursued by individual topics of interest to the reader. Either strategy will have the same effect: a systematic understanding of what the timeless teachings of Jain thinkers have to say about the universal issues of the human condition – and how we might understand our harmonious relationship with other living entities as a powerful and effective spiritual journey.