The A to Z of JainismJain is the term used for a person who has faith in the teachings of the Jinas ('Spiritual Victors'). Jinas are human beings who have overcome all passions (kasayas) and have attained enlightenment or omniscience (kevala-jnana), who teach the truths they realized to others, and who attain liberation (moksa) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). At the core of these teachings is nonviolence (ahimsa), which has remained the guiding principle of Jain ethics and practices to this day. In comparison with other religious traditions of South Asia, Jains are few in number, comprising less than one percent of India's population. The lay and mendicant communities of the Jain, however, have maintained an unbroken presence in India for more than 2,500 years and have influenced its culture throughout this time. The A to Z of Jainism covers the history of Jainism that spans a period of more than 2,500 years. The history, values, concepts, and scriptures; eminent mendicant, lay leaders, and scholars; and places, institutions, social, and cultural factors are covered in over 450 dictionary entries. This comprehensive reference work also includes an introductory essay, explanation of the Jain scriptures, chronology, appendixes, and bibliography. This book provides an excellent introduction and overview to Jainism for scholars, students, and general readers. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Dictionary | 21 |
Appendix | 243 |
The Eleven Pratimās | 245 |
The Jain Festival Calendar | 246 |
Tīrthankaras Cognizances | 247 |
Tīrthankaras Yakşas | 248 |
Tīrthankaras Yakşīs | 249 |
Tīrthankaras Birth and Nirvāna Sites | 250 |
Bibliography | 251 |
About the Author | 287 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
20th century acărya According Adhyātma Ågamas ahimsā Añga aparigraha associated attained liberation moksa Båhubali Banaras Bhadrabâhu bhattārakas born called canon century C.E. cloth commentaries darśana death deities devas Digambara Digambara community Digambara mendicant Digambara monk disciples dravya established fasting ganadharas Gujarat harm initiated Jain Jain community Jain mendicants Jain texts Jaina Jainism Jaipur Jinas Jinasena jiva Kānji Svāmi karma Karnataka kevalin Kharatara Gaccha Kundakunda lay vows laypeople layperson living Mahāvīra mantras manuscripts meditation mendicant community mendicant conduct mendicant leader ācārya mendicant lineage moksa Muni Mürtipújaka named nudity nuns Pandit Panth Pārśvanātha Pātaliputra performed Prākrit pratikramana pratimã pūjā Rajasthan rebirth samsāra religious renounced the household renunciation rites ritual Rsabha sacred Sādhvi samsāra Sangha Sanskrit scholars sectarian tradition siddhas soul jiva south India spiritual Sravana Belgola Sthanakavāsī Sūtra Svetâmbara Svetâmbara Mūrtipújaka Svetâmbara Teräpanthi Svetâmbaras and Digambaras Syādvāda Tapā Gaccha teachings Tirthankara universe worship yaksi yatis
Bibliographic information
| Title | The A to Z of Jainism Volume 38 of The A to Z Guide Series |
| Author | Kristi L. Wiley |
| Edition | 38, reprint |
| Publisher | Scarecrow Press, 2009 |
| ISBN | 0810863375, 9780810863378 |
| Length | 336 pages |
| Subjects | › Religion / Jainism Religion / Reference |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |