Religious Quest Of India

This document is the first few pages of "The Religious Quest of India," specifically focusing on Jainism, with a chapter titled "The Heart of Jainism" by Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson. It's part of a larger series on Indian religions edited by J. N. Farquhar and Griswold.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and information presented in these initial pages:

Overall Series Purpose (Editorial Preface):

• Sympathetic Scientific Approach: The series aims to understand Indian religions in a scientific and sympathetic manner, valuing their thought and life.
• Understanding through Field Study: The writers emphasize the importance of direct, extended personal experience with religious communities to gain a trustworthy account, rather than relying solely on academic study.
• Comparison with Christianity: A central motive is to place each Indian religion alongside Christianity, viewing Jesus Christ as the ultimate goal and new starting point for the Indian spiritual quest. The editors believe this comparison can hasten the consummation of India's spiritual quest in Christ.
• Editorial Role: Editors ensure harmony with these principles, but individual writers are responsible for their opinions on both Indian religions and Christianity.

Introduction by Rev. G. P. Taylor:

• Jainism's Underestimation: Jainism is presented as a religion often overlooked, even by students of Indian religions.
• Numerical Weakness vs. Distinct Appeal: Despite a declining and relatively small number of adherents, Jainism warrants attention due to its unique tenets.
• Theological Mean: If Professor Hopkins is correct, Jainism represents a theological middle ground between Brahmanism and Buddhism, making its study crucial for understanding the early Brahmanic ritual and the Buddhist protest against it.
• Reasons for Jainism's Survival:
  • Lay Adherent Recognition: Unlike Buddhism, Jainism formally integrated lay adherents from the beginning, providing a bond with the wider populace. This contrasts with Buddhism's vulnerability to the Muslim invasions of the 12th-13th centuries due to its monastic focus.
  • Geographical Shift: Jainism's westward migration from Bihar to Western India, particularly Gujarat and Marwar, is noted as a significant historical trend.
  • Protest Against Brahman Exclusiveness: Jainism originated as a Kṣatriya protest against Brahmanical caste restrictions, allowing broader access to asceticism.
  • Atheistic Tendencies and Man-Worship: Jainism explicitly disbelieves in a supreme creator God, focusing instead on worshipping perfected human beings (Arhats, Jinas, Tirthankaras). This atheistic stance and the "man-worship" is highlighted as a "startling anticipation of Positivism."
• Advancement in Scholarship: Recent decades have seen significant progress in understanding Jainism, moving it beyond the misconception of being a mere sub-sect of Buddhism. Jainism is now recognized as one of India's most ancient monastic organizations, predating Buddhism.
• Need for Modern Jainism Study: While early Jainism and its medieval development are well-documented, modern Jainism, its current practices and teachings, remain largely "terra incognita." This volume aims to address this gap.
• Evolution of Terminology: The text cautions that the meaning of technical terms can change over time, citing "Tirthankara" and "Nirvana" as examples.
• Author's Qualifications: Dr. Margaret Stevenson is praised for her deep engagement with Jainism, her fluency in Gujarati, her extensive fieldwork among Jainas (including nuns and monks), and her previous publication "Notes on Modern Jainism."

Contents Overview: The chapter titles indicate a comprehensive exploration of Jainism, covering:

• Introductory themes (ideal of Indian thought, asceticism, revolt against Brahmanism).
• Historical Summary (from Mahāvīra's time to modern conditions, including famines, councils, sects, and persecution).
• Life of Mahāvīra (birth, childhood, initiation, preaching, death, previous incarnations).
• Predecessors and Disciples of Mahāvīra (including Pārsvanātha and earlier Tirthankaras, as well as disciples like Gośāla and Gautama).
• History of the Jaina Community (fourfold community, leaders, schisms, sects like Sthānakavāsī).
• Jaina Philosophy (origin of ideas, Sānkhya/Vedānta influence, Saptabhangi Naya).
• The Nine Categories of Fundamental Truths (Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Papa, Aśrava, Samvara, Bandha, Nirjara, Mokşa).
• Karma and the Path to Liberation (sources, types, steps to liberation).
• The Life Story of a Jaina (babyhood, naming, betrothal, marriage, children, death, funeral).
• The Jaina Layman and his Religious Life (twelve vows, Pratima, ideal gentleman).
• The Jaina Ascetic (initiation, daily duties, confession, study, nuns, five great vows).
• The End of the Road (ranks of ascetics, Tirthankara, Siddha, rules for non-Jainas, Three Jewels, comparison with Christianity).
• Jaina Worship and Religious Customs (temple worship, private devotions, holy days, superstitions).
• Jaina Mythology (gods in hell and heaven, divisions of time, coming Tirthankaras).
• Jaina Architecture and Literature (history, styles, influential writers like Hemacandra).
• The Empty Heart of Jainism (critique of Jainism's lack of personal God, forgiveness, prayer, brotherhood, and the contrast with Christianity's personal approach).
• Appendices (analysis of categories, list of Tirthankaras).

In essence, these pages set the stage for a detailed and sympathetic, yet comparative and critical, examination of Jainism, highlighting its historical context, philosophical underpinnings, ethical framework, ritual practices, and its ultimate aim of liberation, while consistently drawing parallels and contrasts with Christianity.