The Indian religion of Jainism, whose central tenet involves non-violence to all creatures, is one of the world's oldest and least-understood faiths. Dundas looks at Jainism in its social and doctrinal context, explaining its history, sects, scriptures and ritual, and describing how the Jains have, over 2500 years, defined themselves as a unique religious community. This revised and expanded edition takes account of new research into Jainism.
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About the Author
Paul Dundas is senior lecturer in Sanskrit in the School of Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh, specialising in middle Indo-Aryan philology and the Jain religion. He is the author of The Sattasai and its Commentators
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Difficult but thorough read,
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This review is from: The Jains (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) (Paperback)
This book gets really detailed, and it's hard to keep track of some of the histories and nuances in philosophy. Nonetheless, my mother was amazed at how completely the author covered Jainism, and I'm learning alot myself (we're both Jain).
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fine text on Jainism,
By John W "amateur indologist and philologist" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Jains (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) (Paperback)
The author does a very thorough job introducing the reader to Jainism, its history, its sacred days, its customs and its sects. Indian language vocabulary is also well-explained (mostly Sanskrit). The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. As I recall, there may be a sentence or two of Jain scripture in the entire book. It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source text(s). The author does state that there is no definitive canon of Jain scripture, but the book could have been made about 25% larger through some reasonable scriptural selection, or, alternatively, 25% of the existing content could have been cut to provide the reader some feel for Jain scripture. This is the only negative critcism that I have to offer. Aside from this one criticism, this is an excellent book and I recommend it highly.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent but not Easy,
By Will Jerom (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Jains (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) (Hardcover)
Paul Dundas has produced some serious and valuable scholarship on Jainism. Academics wishing a deeper appreciation and understanding of Jainism than most introductions can give will like Dundas' work. Beginners will find it hard to digest. Dundas has successfully and critically presented a broad account of Jain beliefs and history. The strength of the book -- its thoroughness and density --also may be a deterrent to the new reader.
The Jains, a small religious group believing in an immortal soul, are indigenous to India, and affirm many of the ideas of their Hindu counterparts, but are critical of other Hindu doctrines. Jains do not have a traditional place for "God" or "Gods", but do for the omniscient Fordmakers. Dundas work in portraying the Jains will have lasting value.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
According to tradition, the great medieval Svetambara Jain scholar-monk Haribhadra was in his early years a learned brahman who boasted that he would become the pupil of anyone whose teachings he could not controvert. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
fourfold restraint, ascetic initiation, pupillary descent, ascetic lineages, liberated jivas, ascetic behaviour, preaching assembly, monastic law, early common era, ascetic community, religious giving, naked monks, religious death, ascetic culture, teacher lineage, spiritual deliverance, rain retreat, scriptural canon, karma theory, lay supporters, image worship, world era, female ascetics, ascetic order Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Universal History, Tapa Gaccha, Great Vows, Kharatara Gaccha, Sravana Belgola, Obligatory Actions, Digambara Jainism, Tamil Nadu, Five Homages, Little Hill, Three Jewels, Middle World, Abhayadeva Suri, Fourfold Restraint, Big Hill, East Africa, Council of Valabhi, King Srenika, Lesser Vows, South Asian, Kali Yuga, Mount Meru, Some Jain, Srimad Rajacandra, Svetambara Jainism New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
According to tradition, the great medieval Svetambara Jain scholar-monk Haribhadra was in his early years a learned brahman who boasted that he would become the pupil of anyone whose teachings he could not controvert. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
fourfold restraint, ascetic initiation, pupillary descent, ascetic lineages, liberated jivas, ascetic behaviour, preaching assembly, monastic law, early common era, ascetic community, religious giving, naked monks, religious death, ascetic culture, teacher lineage, spiritual deliverance, rain retreat, scriptural canon, karma theory, lay supporters, image worship, world era, female ascetics, ascetic order Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Universal History, Tapa Gaccha, Great Vows, Kharatara Gaccha, Sravana Belgola, Obligatory Actions, Digambara Jainism, Tamil Nadu, Five Homages, Little Hill, Three Jewels, Middle World, Abhayadeva Suri, Fourfold Restraint, Big Hill, East Africa, Council of Valabhi, King Srenika, Lesser Vows, South Asian, Kali Yuga, Mount Meru, Some Jain, Srimad Rajacandra, Svetambara Jainism New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 73
books:
See all 73 books this book cites
- Encyclopedia of Religion Vol 4 Conc - Ecol in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Jaina Path of Purification by Padmanabh S. Jaini in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Sacred Books of the East: Jaina Sutras by Hermann Jacobi on page 65, and Back Matter
- Heart of Jainism by M Sinclair Stevenson in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India by Pratapaditya Pal in Back Matter
See all 73 books this book cites
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