Religion And Culture Of The Jains

"Religion and Culture of the Jains" by Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain is a comprehensive compendium offering readers an accessible introduction to Jainism. The book covers the religion's genesis, history, traditions, doctrines, philosophy, way of life, worship practices, art, and literature.

Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, a renowned scholar of history and Indology, presents the material with clarity and authenticity, drawing from his extensive studies. The book aims to spark curiosity and enhance knowledge about this ancient yet flourishing Indian religion.

Key aspects covered in the book include:

• Introduction to Jainism: Defining Jainism, its antiquity, and unique characteristics. It highlights Jainism's indigenous roots in India and its connection to the ancient Śramaṇa tradition, predating the Vedic period. The book also addresses common misconceptions about Jainism being an offshoot of Buddhism or Hinduism.
• The Twenty-Four Tirthankaras: Explaining the cyclical nature of time in Jainism and detailing the lineage of the 24 Tirthankaras, from Rishabha (Ādinātha) to Mahāvīra. It discusses their lives, teachings, and historical context, particularly the revival of Śramaṇa Dharma through figures like Aristanemi, Pārśva, and Mahāvīra. The book touches upon the historicity of Pārśva and Mahāvīra, placing them in their respective eras and outlining their significant contributions.
• History of Jainism after Mahāvīra: Tracing the internal history of the Jain community, the spread of Jainism across India, royal patronage, and periods of both prosperity and decline. It details the emergence of the two main sects, Digambara and Śvetāmbara, and their subsequent sub-sects, while also noting the enduring core principles.
• Doctrine: Delving into the metaphysical and ontological foundations of Jainism, including the concept of Dharma (nature of things and the path to realization), substances (dravya), qualities (guṇa), and modes (paryāya). It explains the Jaina cosmology and cosmography, the classification of souls (jīva), the cycle of rebirth (saṁsāra), the doctrine of Karma, the seven essentials (tattvas), the fourteen stages of spiritual development (guṇa-sthānas), and the concept of liberation (Nirvāṇa).
• Theory of Knowledge: Exploring Jaina epistemology, the nature of knowledge (jñāna) and perception (darśana), and their different types. It discusses the Jaina understanding of mind, feelings, emotions, and passions, all linked to the doctrine of karma. The book also elaborates on the Jaina logic of Anekānta (non-absolutism) and Syādvāda (theory of conditional predication), emphasizing their role in promoting tolerance and comprehensive understanding of reality.
• The Path: Outlining the "Path of the Jina" as the means to achieve liberation. This path is characterized by the "Three Jewels": Right Faith (Samyakdarśana), Right Knowledge (Samyakjñāna), and Right Conduct (Samyakcāritra). It details the code of conduct for both lay followers (śrāvakas/śrāvikās) and ascetics (monks and nuns), including the vows (vratas), daily duties, and the progressive stages of spiritual development. The book also discusses the practice of Sallekhanā (intentional fasting for spiritual preparation at the end of life) and the paramount importance of Ahiṁsā (non-violence) as the core ethical principle.
• Worship, Rituals, Fasts, and Festivals: Explaining the Jaina approach to worship, which focuses on devotion to the spiritual qualities of the Tirthankaras and other worthy souls, rather than propitiation of deities. It describes the forms of worship, the objects of worship (the Five Worshipful Ones: Arhats, Siddhas, Ācāryas, Upādhyāyas, and Sadhus), rituals, the significance of fasts as a form of austerity for self-purification, and the various festivals that punctuate the Jaina year.
• Places of Pilgrimage: Highlighting the importance of pilgrimages in Jainism, which are considered spiritual journeys to holy sites associated with Tirthankaras and saints. It enumerates numerous significant Jaina pilgrimage sites across India, categorizing them by their religious associations (kalyāņaka-kşetras, siddha-kşetras, etc.).
• Art and Architecture: Discussing the significant contributions of Jains to Indian art and architecture, particularly in sculpture (icon-making) and temple construction. It details the characteristic features of Jaina art, the evolution of Jaina temple architecture, cave temples, and the decorative elements found in Jaina monuments, noting their religious and aesthetic value.
• Literature: Surveying the vast and rich literary output of Jainism across various languages and genres. It emphasizes the significant role of Jaina monks and patrons in preserving and propagating knowledge through scriptures, commentaries, philosophical treatises, narrative literature, and works on diverse subjects like grammar, logic, and politics. It highlights Jainism's contribution to Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsa, Kannada, Tamil, and other regional literatures.
• Epilogue: Concluding by reiterating Jainism's antiquity, its scientific and philosophical consistency, and its profound emphasis on Ahiṁsā, self-reliance, and spiritual upliftment. The book underscores Jainism's message of tolerance, peace, and universal brotherhood, positioning it as a practical philosophy for individual and societal well-being.

The book also includes appendices with daily recitations, excerpts from Jaina teachings, and a selected bibliography for further study. "Religion and Culture of the Jains" serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the multifaceted aspects of Jainism.