A selected list of books on Jainism, Jain history, Jaina philosophy, practices, values and beliefs, thirthankaras,
life and teachings of Mahavira and Jaina Tradition.
The Jain Path: Jainism is one of the world's oldest religions, and perhaps the
most demanding, rational and radical of all of them, attaching a great importance
to individual responsibility. Today we are questioning our own inherited values
and also rediscovering ancient traditions. We are looking for continuity and balance-a
return to the centre. Understanding of Jain principles can point us towards the
elusive paradigm shift, giving spiritual and intellectual strength to a new global
ethic of compassion and interdependence.
Jainism: An Introduction by Jeffery D. Long Jainism evokes images of monks wearing
face-masks to protect insects and mico-organisms from being inhaled. Or of Jains
sweeping the ground in front of them to ensure that living creatures are not inadvertently
crushed: a practice of non-violence so radical as to defy easy comprehension. Yet
for all its apparent exoticism, Jainism is still little understood in the West.
What is this mysterious philosophy which originated in the 6th century BCE, whose
absolute requirement is vegetarianism, and which now commands a following of four
million adherents both in its native India and diaspora communities across the globe?In
his welcome new treatment of the Jain religion, Long makes an ancient tradition
fully intelligible to the modern reader. Plunging back more than two and a half
millennia, to the plains of northern India and the life of a prince who - much like
the Buddha - gave up a life of luxury to pursue enlightenment, Long traces the history
of the Jain community from founding sage Mahavira to the present day. 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. The book presents Jainism in a way that
is authentic and engaging to specialists and non-specialists alike.
Life Force : The World of Jainism This is the best book on Jainism. Michael
Tobias has described non-violance(ahimsa) in great details. Everyone knows Gandhi
but many don't know driving force behind Gandhi's Ahimsa. Gandhi's spiritual leader,
Shrimad Rajchandra(or Raichandbhai in Gandhi's autobiography)was Jain. He has also
tried to depict differences between Jainism and Baudhdhism, where applicable. By
birth, I'm Jain(and trying to be Jain by act)and I appreciate many historical perspective
on Jainism. Also, as mentioned in the book, Jainism is scientific religion - covering
Physics, Math and other subjects. This is great book not only for spiritual reading
but also for environmental understanding. Prashant M. Shah
Studies in Jaina Philosophy (Paperback) by Nathmal Tatia Nathmal Tatia,
one of the leading Jaina scholars of our time, provides us with the first systematic
and in-depth study of the great problems dealt with in Jaina philosophy. It begins
with the basic Jaina worldview of non-absolutism (anekanta-vada), and deals next
with Jaina epistemology. Three major topics are then studied in great detail, with
full reference to the Jaina scriptures. These are: the problem of avidya in the
various Indian schools; the Jaina doctrine of karman; and Jaina yoga. This latter
includes an important study of Haribhadra's comparative studies in yoga. Tatia has
here given us a first-rate advanced level study of Jaina philosophy
Jainism and the New Spirituality is a sumptuous, 224-page exploration of an
ancient and relatively little-known faith that is surprisingly relevant for the
21st century. Professor Parikh explains Jainism and links it to the newly emerging
universal spirituality. He suggests that an understanding of new spirituality is
essential to deal with current global issues. This is especially relevant to today's
youth. Jainism and the New Spirituality offers explanations and assists it’s readers
in redefining spirituality for themselves and their communities. Jainism and the
New Spirituality is valuable reading on spiritual values, world religions, the multi-faith
movement, peace, ecology and social justice. It is also an excellent resource for
students of Jainism – young and old.
An Introduction to Jainism (Paperback) by Dr. Bharat S. Shah, Bharat S. Shah.
Second U.S. edition of a highly acclaimed, simple introduction to Jainism, an ancient
(more than 2600 years old) but currently relevant religion from India. Written in
a clear and friendly style, full of explanations, and a gradual, stepwise presentation
of its fundamental principles. For personal or classroom study. Equally interesting
for non-Jains of either Indian, non-Indian, or Western origin, and for students
and scholars of non-violence, vegetarianism, and ecology.
Jains in the World: Religious Values and Ideology in India (Hardcover) by John,
E. Cort. This book offers an illuminating portrait of the ancient Indian religion
of Jainism. Based on field research in northern Gujarat as well as on the study
of ancient Sanskrit and modern vernacular Jain religious literature, John Cort discusses
the major facets of Jain practice-the annual festivals, ascetic and dietary practices,
interactions between laity and monks and nuns, and temple worship. "An authentic,
detailed and penetrating explanation of the way the Jains of Patam practice their
religion. John Cort's profound dedication and commitment to his subject is clearly
evident on every page of this book. His sympathetic and keenly observed analysis
of Jain principles will be of enormous help to future scholars and students of Islam."-Jain
Spirit
Studies In Jainism: Primer (Paperback) by Duli C. Jain. This is a unique introduction
to Jainism. The articles, mostly written by Jains living in USA, are drawn from
"Jain Study Circular", a highly regarded Jain publication in America. The articles
are easy to read, but that does not mean that the book is intended for children
only. The articles are written in a simple language, but they are written by experts.
Although primarily written for Jains, non-Jains would also enjoy reading it. I would
recommend all Jains living overseas to have a copy of this excellent book.
Singing to the Jinas: Jain Laywomen, Mandal Singing, and the Negotiations of Jain
Devotion (Hardcover) by M., Whitney Kelting. While Western Jain scholarship
has focused on those texts and practices favoring male participation, the Jain community
itself relies heavily on lay women's participation for religious education, the
performance of key rituals, and the locus of religious knowledge. In this fieldwork-based
study, Whitney Kelting attempts to reconcile these women's understanding of Jainism
with the religion as presented in the existing scholarship. Jain women, she shows,
both accept and rewrite the idealized roles received from religious texts, practices,
and social expectation, according to which female religiosity is a symbol of Jain
perfection. Jain women's worship shows us a Jainism focused more on devotion than
on philosophy. With rituals structured around singing hymns, Jain women negotiate
hybrid theologies that sometimes conflict with normative Jainism. Singing to the
Jinas describes these women's interpretations of their religion, not as folklore
or popular religion, but as a theology that recreates Jainism in a form which honors
their own participation.
