Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. According to the jain texts, the universe is divided into 3 parts. The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. The present book is one of the best and stimulating books ever written by scholars on jainism.
Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The tirthas of jainism are spread all over india and have been divided into two classes. List of books and articles about jainism online research. One among them the socalled vital question of money which is above all things the most coveted commodity but i, as a jainist, in the name of my countrymen and of my country, would offer you as the medium of the most perfect exchange between us, henceforth and forever, the indestructible, the unchangeable, the universal currency of good. Jainism lays heavy emphasis on nonviolence ahimsa and the believers of this religion, whether a monk or a householder, follow a very strict, well disciplined life. The reason is very simple, this book consists of a biography of lord mahavira in detail, and the lives of the other prophets tirthankaras. The world of jainism this is the best book on jainism. Jinajineshwar another word for tirthankars, based on jai. Jainism, ajivika, and buddhism arose in the 6th cent. This page lists some jain festivals and holy days, including the birthday of mahavira and paryushana, which started as a monastic day of reflection. The scriptures of the vedas are meant to guide hindu believers in their daily lives.
Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west.
The word jain is taken from the word jina, which means getting victory over thy self and the peripheral world. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Basic concepts of jainism and its applications can be learned from chandrakantbhais easy and unique teaching skills and indepth knowledge of the subject. This festival honors the 15th century reformer lonka saha who founded the sthanakvasi sect of jains, opposed to temple worship and the use of idols of any sort. Modern physics and syadvada part1 modern physics and syadvada part2 the indianjaina dialectic of syadvad part1 the indianjaina dialectic of syadvad part2 syadvada system of predication. In sculpture he is represented with one foot stepping firmly on the earth, or pressing down. The texts had to be memorised since jain monks and nuns were not allowed to possess religious books as part of their vow of nonacquisition. Jainism the religion preached by mahavir and other tirthankars, with high emphasis on conquering the inner enemies. The jinas are considered more respectable than the gods. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Fourteen rajaloka or triloka depicted as cosmic man. Mencius also spelled mengzi or mengtzu, a book of his conversations with kings of the time, is one of the four books which form the core of orthodox confucian thinking.
Parasparopagraho jivanam the function of souls is to help one another is the motto of jainism. A member of the ancient religion of jainism who is very sick or very old may opt to stop eating. A glance at its contents will reveal the fact that glasenapp has covered almost all the salient features of jainism. The book presents jainism in a way that is authentic and engaging to specialists and nonspecialists alike. What mahavira has taught ages back still has its significance in modern day life. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. A searching comparison of the faiths of east and west hinduism, jainism, buddhism, vedantism, yoga, taoism, confucianism, shintoism, judaism, christianity, islam, humanism by bahm, archie j. The author does a very thorough job introducing the reader to jainism, its history, its sacred days, its customs and its sects.
The books are illustrated with colour photographs and pictures, and use simple language and ideas to help children understand. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. The jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many. The application of the notion of scripture is complex in jainism. Canonical and commentarial literature the svetambara works cover a variety of topics, including a list of the tirthankaras, or jinas jaina saviours, exploits and teachings of these figures, and doctrines. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. Jainism is one of the most ancient religions that originated in eastern india and it was founded around the 6th century. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more.
Jains are an important religious community and jainism preaches on different principles of virtue enriching the population. In fact, the householders are supposed to evolve to the monkhood in the later stages of life as was the case with the hinduism in the vedic era. Followers of jainism are called jains and must observe five major vows. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures. So he could be called a reformer of the jain religion or rejunevator of the faith which was already and had a long tradition. Holy days, festivals and rituals fasting is the very imporatant part of the jains tradition. The upanishads are also called as vedantas or the end of the vedas. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects. Labelling the jain sacred texts the canon is often considered unsatisfactory. In principle jain holy places are sacred for all the jains. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism.
These texts are glorious tales of the hindu trinity brahma, vishnu and maheshwar shiva. The jains the library of religious beliefs and practices. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. The early jain contemplated the nature of the earth and universe and developed a detailed hypothesis on the various aspects of astronomy and cosmology. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Shvetambara monks are allowed to retain a few possessions such as a robe, an alms bowl, a whisk broom, and a mukhavastrika a piece of cloth held over the mouth to protect against the ingestion of small insects, which are presented by a senior monk at the time of initiation. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain religion. This is a complete e book of on the indian sect of the jainas, by johann georg buhler. Jainism religion bhagwan mahavir jain symbol belief. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Jain path of purification by padmanabh jaini university of california press, 1979 motilal banarsidass publishers, 1990 recommended 5 times guidelines of jainism by muni bhadrabahu vijay 1986 life force.
Teachings of jainism stress on the ideas of equality, nonviolence, spiritual liberation and selfcontrol. Lord mahavir, popularly regarded as the founder of jainism, was the last of the tirthankars who flourished from 599 to 527 b. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. Jainism resource center literature center quick index. Books on jainism and jain philosophy hindu website. Other holy scriptures in hinduism are called the upanisads, the smrutis, the puranas, the ramayana and the mahabharata. However, the puranas are supposed to be complied by muni vyasa. Selfdiscipline and asceticism are thus major focuses of jainism. This website is for the users who want to learn the basic concepts of jain religion. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. Hindu sacred literature is the most ancient of the living literatures of the world.
Jain svetambara cosmological text with commentary and illustrations. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the jain religion. Indian language vocabulary is also wellexplained mostly sanskrit.
Selfcontrol and nonviolence are taught as the means to obtain liberation from the worlds suffering. Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. The conception of the triloka earth, midspace and heaven, or netherworld, earth and heavenhas been depicted in the figure of viu trivikrama krama, who with his three steps covers all the three worlds. List of holy books in buddhism every religion has a set of holy books central to its teachings. Ultimate goal of life is eternal release from karma. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers. Those places where the tirthankaras and other holy persons have attained nirvana are called siddhakshetra.
The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism mahaviras disciples compiled his. But indias supreme court is weighing a ban on the practice because suicide is. Fundamental beliefs of jainism the soul is bounded by karma from the beginning of time the principles governing the successions of life cycles birth, life, and death is karma. They are written in the ardhamagadhi prakrit language. Jain cosmology is the description of the shape and functioning of the universe loka and its. All sects agree that teaching was first transmitted orally, however, the two main sects of jainism, svetambara and digambara disagree on which scriptures are authoritative, or most important. Older children can read by themselves while younger children will enjoy listening to the books being read aloud.
The books are for children between the ages of around five to eleven. Mar 20, 2017 the book shows how buddhism and jainism share the basic concepts of karma, rebirth, and liberation with hinduism while giving them their own hue, and how they differ from the hindu tradition in their understanding of the role of the vedas, the caste system, and ritualism in religious life. Bc as protests against the overdeveloped ritualism of hinduism, particularly its sacrificial cults, and the authority of the veda. Anekanta part1 anekanta part2 antiquity of jainism. Jainism also known as jaina dharma is a religion originating in india that emphasizes nonviolence towards all living things and equality among all life. Jain philosophical concepts jain cosmology religious cosmologies. These are highly revered, widely read by the followers and. Jainism jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. Jain texts describe the shape of the universe as similar to a man standing with legs apart and arm resting on his waist. The most holy of the hindu books is written in sanskrit and is referred to as the vedas. Jainism ritual practices and religious institutions. In practice, some places are definitely of more importance to svetambaras than to digambaras and vice versa, and these are managed by institutions affiliated to one sect or the other. Apr 03, 20 the puranas are holy books of hinduism that date back to gupta empire in ancient india. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Michael tobias has described nonviolanceahimsa in great details. List of holy books in hinduism the galaxy of hindu literature is very vast and voluminous. The world of conquerors volume 1 natubhai shah, dr natubhai shah. Aug 29, 2008 what is kalpa sutra and why do jains read it.
Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Our intention behind our actions of body, mind, and speech bind us with karma. Asian humanities pressthe wonderful book that originally turned me on to jainism jainism in western garb as.
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