The JainsThe 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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Abhayadeva ācārya alms ancient anga ascetic ascetic community attainment austerity behaviour bhattāraka Bhikșu brahman Buddhist canon century claim common era Cort Deleu deliverance describes Digambara Digambara monks disciples Dundas early enlightenment existence Exposition of Explanations fact flvetåmbara fordmaker ganadhara Ganges basin Granoff Gujarat Haribhadra Hemacandra Hindu Hinduism image-worshipping India initiation involved Jain ascetics Jain community Jain monk Jain religion Jaini Jainism jīva Kalpasūtra Kānjī Svāmī karma Karnataka Kharatara Gaccha Kundakunda laity layman life-forms lineage literature loka Lonkā Mahāvīra Mathurā medieval period monastic Muni Muslim non-violence nonetheless nuns Obligatory Actions omniscience origin Pārśva performed practice Prākrit preaching pūjā Rājacandra Rajasthan Rāvana rebirth reference regarded religious ritual Rsabha S¨ri sacred Sanskrit sect sectarian significant Śiva social soul south India spiritual Sthānakvāsī story supposedly Sūri Śvetāmbara and Digambara Śvetāmbara scriptures Tapā Gaccha teacher teachings temple Terapanth Terāpanthī texts textual tion tradition Universal History violence Vows worship yakṣa