Religion And Culture Of The Jains - Book Summary

"Religion and Culture of the Jains" is a collection of papers presented at an inter-university seminar held in February 1972 at the Centre of Advanced Study in Ancient Indian History and Culture, University of Calcutta. Edited by D. C. Sircar, the book offers a diverse exploration of Jainism's religious beliefs, historical presence, and cultural impact across various regions of India.

The seminar covered a range of topics, presented by scholars from different universities:

Jainism's Primitive Aspects: Dr. L. B. Keny delves into the "primitive in Jainism," suggesting that certain Jain traditions, like the use of bow and arrow for measurement and tribal emblems associated with Tirthankaras, reflect earlier societal stages and possibly tribal marks or totems. He also touches upon the worship of funeral structures and the philosophy of Yakṣas as influences from primitive tribal cults.
Cosmography: Sm. Sudha Sengupta discusses "Jain Cosmography," highlighting its detailed and elaborate nature, its connection to Jain metaphysical and ethical doctrines, and its integration throughout Jain literature. She explains the Jain concept of the universe's shape, the structure of heavens and hells, and the cyclical nature of time (Avasarpiņī and Utsarpiņī).
Tirthankaras: Dr. A. N. Lahiri examines "The Conception of Tirthankaras in Jain Mythology," noting the outward similarity but fundamental difference with Hindu Avataravada. He explains that Tirthankaras are human figures, each an individual savior, contrasting with the divine incarnations in Hinduism. He also touches upon the Jain belief in the eternity of their faith and the vast numbers of Tirthankaras across different cosmic ages and worlds, attributing the exaggerated lifespans and heights to myth-making.
Festivals and Fasts: Sm. Kshanika Saha details "Some Festivals and Fasts of the Jains," covering both Svetambara and Digambara traditions. She discusses major festivals like Paryuşaņā, Siddhacakra-pūjā, Jñāna-pañcami, Mahāvīra-jayanti, and Viraśāsana-jayanti, as well as days of abstinence and the unique bathing of Gomateśvara. She notes the overlap of some Jain festivals with those observed by Hindus and Buddhists.
Jain Philosophy: Sri R. K. Bhattacharya provides "A Summary of Jain Philosophy," discussing concepts like Dravyārthikanaya and Paryāyārthikanaya, the nine principles, six kinds of substances, and the classification of living beings. He touches upon the theory of karma, the five Mahāvratas, and the importance of knowledge and religious observance. He also briefly explains concepts like Syadvada and Anekantavada.
Jainism in Mathura: Sm. Kalyani Bajpeyi analyzes "Jainism in Early Inscriptions of Mathurā," emphasizing the importance of these inscriptions for understanding early Jain history. She discusses the cult of Tirthankaras, the popularity of Mahāvira and Rsabha, the distinction between historical and mythical figures, and the evolution of Jain image worship and sectarian divisions (Svetambara and Digambara). She also highlights the organizational structure of the Jain church, mentioning the mention of Gaņas, Kulas, and Sākhās in inscriptions, and notes the prevalence of followers from the trading class, including foreigners.
Jain Caverns and Antiquities: Sm. R. Champakalakshmi's paper on "An Unnoticed Jain Cavern near Madurantakam" describes the discovery of natural caverns used by Jain ascetics, featuring sculptures of Ādinātha, Pārśvanātha, and Mahāvira. An inscription mentions a Jain teacher as the "founder of the Twenty-four," suggesting the sacredness of the number 24.
Jainism in Tondaimandalam: Sm. R. Champakalakshmi also explores "Jainism in Tondaimandalam," tracing its spread in South India from the 3rd century BC. She analyzes epigraphical and literary evidence from the Pallava and Cola periods, noting the decline of Jainism due to the Bhakti movement and the conversion of Pallava kings to Saivism. However, she also points out the continued patronage of Jain centers by ruling dynasties and the significant contribution of Jains to Tamil literature. She also discusses the influence of Jain gurus from Karnataka.
Varahamihira and Bhadrabahu: Dr. Ajay Mitra Shastri's paper critically examines the tradition of the contemporaneity of the astronomer-astrologer Varahamihira and the Jain teacher Bhadrabahu. He analyzes various Jain texts and legends, concluding that the stories attributing astrological knowledge and rivalry to Bhadrabahu are likely apocryphal and often represent later elaborations or misattributions. He suggests that the extant Bhadrabāhusamhitā is a later, likely Brāhmaṇical work, given a Jain appearance.
A Jain Historical Tradition: Prof. D. C. Sircar presents "A Jain Historical Tradition," discussing a tradition from Haribhadra's Nemināhacariu that mentions Mūlarāja I, a Caulukya king, having a mint. He discusses the genuineness of this tradition and the absence of discovered coins, suggesting possibilities for this scarcity and comparing it with other instances.
The Jain Harivamsa: Dr. Asim Kumar Chatterjee analyzes "The Jain Harivamsa" of Jinasena II, dating it to 783 AD. He notes its similarities to the Kathāsaritsāgara, particularly in romantic narratives, but also highlights Jinasena's detailed descriptions of Kṛṣṇa's achievements, often following the Vaiṣṇava Harivamsa. He points out Jinasena's distortions of epic accounts, his criticism of Brāhmaṇism, and the importance of his geographical lists, including the mention of the Khadgas and Mallas. He also discusses the duration of Gupta rule as recorded in Jain works.
Jainism and Jain Relics in Bihar: Sarjug Prasad Singh details "Jainism and Jain Relics in Bihar," highlighting Bihar's significance as the birthplace of Mahāvira and an early center of Jainism. He traces Mahavira's life and influence, mentions important Jain sites like Rajgir, Pāvāpuri, and Parasnath hills, and discusses the presence of Jain communities during the Mauryan and Gupta periods. He notes the decline of Jainism in North Bihar by the time of Hiuen-tsang's visit but its persistence in the hilly regions of South Bihar.
Beliefs and Practices in the Jain Sutras: Ramesh Kumar Billorey examines "Beliefs and Practices in the Jain Sutras," citing passages from the Sūtrakṛtānga, Uttaradhyayana Sūtra, Acārānga Sūtra, and Kalpa Sūtra. He discusses observances like vratas and fasts (Posaha), festival observations, birth ceremonies, and practices like astrology, dream interpretation, and various auspicious rites and expiatory acts. He also touches upon folk arts and crafts, and core Jain beliefs in karma, rebirth, heaven, and hell.

In essence, "Religion and Culture of the Jains" offers a scholarly compilation that sheds light on the historical development, philosophical underpinnings, regional spread, and cultural manifestations of Jainism in ancient and early medieval India, drawing heavily on epigraphical, literary, and traditional sources.