The Jains (The Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "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..." (more)
Key Phrases: fourfold restraint, ascetic initiation, pupillary descent, Universal History, Tapa Gaccha, Great Vows (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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, its history, sects, scriptures and ritual, and describes how the Jains have, over two and a half thousand years, defined themselves as a unique religious community. This revised and expanded edition takes account of new research into Jainism.

About the Author

Paul Dundas is senior lecturer in Sanskrit in the School of Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh, specializing in middle Indo-Aryan philology and the Jain religion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 2 edition (August 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415266068
• ISBN-13: 978-0415266062
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #805,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Difficult but thorough read, August 7, 2004

By	J. M. Shah "Goober" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine text on Jainism, March 4, 2006

By	John W "amateur indologist and philologist" (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but not Easy, May 16, 2009

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.