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Understanding Jainism (Understanding Faith)
Get Free Ebook Understanding Jainism (Understanding Faith)
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Review
'Understanding Jainism fulfils its aims well. The list of further reading points the student to a wide range of resources, and the glossary gives succinct definitions of key terms. Babb writes fluently, his explanations are clear, his language accessible. This is an excellent starting point for those with little or no knowledge of Jainism. This is a worthwhile addition to the shelves of any theological library and for any individual who wishes to begin to understand Jainism better.'Interreligious Insight'This short monograph is in the Dunedin ‘Understanding Faith’ series edited by Frank Whaling, and it provides a fresh, well-structured, clearly written account of Jainism that is appropriate for undergraduate students and interested general readers alike. Babb cleverly weaves together methodological and interpretive issues with the history of the Jains and a sketch of the religion as it is practised in the twenty-first century… To sum up, Babb has written an intelligent book that is a pleasure to read, and deserves a wide readership.' Journal for the Academic Study of Religion - -
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About the Author
Trained as a social anthropologist, Lawrence A. Babb is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Asian Studies at Amherst College. He is the author of several books dealing with religion and society in India.
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Product details
Series: Understanding Faith
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press; First Edition,New edition edition (April 23, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1780460325
ISBN-13: 978-1780460321
Product Dimensions:
8.5 x 0.6 x 5.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:
4.5 out of 5 stars
2 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#960,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
This is a 10th book in UNDERSTANDING FAITH series intended as first read for students of comparative religion and as basic source books of essential information about the major world faiths. The author Lawrence A. Babb is a Professor Emeritus of anthropology and Asian studies at Amherst College, Massachusetts. He is well known to Jains from his numerous trips to India spread over decades , calling Jaipur his second home and his earlier book “Absent Lord†(Ascetics and Kings in a Jain Ritual Culture) and other papers.In the present work, Professor Babb talks of Jainism as Buddhism’s often overlooked cousin but cautions readers to not ignore deep differences between Jain and Buddhist beliefs and practices. In the introduction, the author provides pretty good definition of terms like Jina, Jain, Tirthankars and Tirth. He has relied on two texts: Kalpasutra by Vinaysagarji and Acharanga Sutra by Hermann Jacobi. Both works are Swetamber texts but at every juncture, the author has been meticulous in noting differences between Swetamber and Digamber beliefs.The first chapter is devoted to life of Mahavir detailing five auspicious events (Kalyanaks) and its significance in Jain beliefs and rituals and describes in detail establishment of four fold social order (Chaturvidha Sangh).The second chapter (the longest one ) describes history of Jainism beginning with the Mahavir’s era. As is the case with most western scholars, no doubt vastly influenced by Jacobi, this author too goes along with doubts on historicity of existence of Tirthankars other than Parswanath and Mahavir. Their doubt rests on unavailability of archeological evidences - so the chapter begins with Indo Aryans and Vedas. Coming to the Sraman traditions of Buddhism and Jainism, the author states that both Buddha and Mahavir accepted basic doctrines of Karma and Transmigration from the Brahmanical teachings. It is impossible to know how western scholars would reconcile this theory of organization of Jainism if at some future date archeological evidence of Tirthankars of much earlier era is put in their hands. In Babb’s defense, he does mention that “From perspective of Jain tradition, Jain teachings are eternal and that they are periodically rediscovered by certain Tirthankars who teach these timeless truths, establish the communities that preserve and put them in practice. Because the cosmos is uncreated and will never end, these teacher establishers are infinite in numbers and come and go for all of infinite time.†The chapter continues with story of Mahavir’s followers. Brief description of first disciples – eleven Gandhars - is followed by noting differences between Swetamber and Digamber traditions. Also noted are the canonical literatures of the two traditions and with the description of Sthanakwasi and Terapanthi movements in later years. He moves on with description of modern day Jains living abroad. He takes note of historical prohibition on Jain mendicants traveling abroad and breaking of that tradition by a Swetamber Muni Chandraprabhsagar (Chitrabhanuji) in 1970, Sthanakvasi monk named Sushil Kumar in 1975 and in 1980 the Terapanthis. He concludes the chapter by wondering aloud if jainism abroad will ever possess monastic core of the sort seen in India and what effect it will have on followers of Jainism abroad.The third chapter gets in to the heart of Jainism – “Liberation’s Roadmapâ€. It attempts to address questions like what is meant by liberation? Liberation of what and from what? What is the nature of the entity that seeks liberation from the bondage of Samsara?. Next, Karmic bondage , liberation and 14 Gunsthanas are discussed. This chapter is the heart of the book.In the chapter titled “Strivers†Navkar Mahamantra – the most important prayer for jains is explained with great reverence. Explaining that five entities deemed worthy of worship (Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyas and Sadhus) do not include Gods or Goddesses and all are mendicants who have renounced the world in favor of ascetic life. The author calls this point as fundamental to understanding Jainism. Emphasising that Jains worship Tirthankars but in principle, all five worthy of veneration are mendicants. And as for Gods and Goddesses, he explains that although they possess extraordinary powers, but in the final analysis they are magnified versions of ourselves for they too are worshipers of the Tirthankars.After the significance of the Navkar Mantra, life of mendicants is described. Their Five great vows (Panch Mahavrats), three curtailments (Guptis) and five self regulations (Samitis), duty to perform daily essentials (Avasyaaks) and interaction with laity are detailed. Mendicants obtaining food in alms rounds (Gochari) at the homes of the followers in exquisite details explained as adherence to true Jain conduct. So is mendicants life of austerity, discomfort, inconvenience and severe hardships as “Cultivation and maintenance of a deep equanimity in which one is indifferent to pain and pleasure alike.â€After the chapter on the life of mendicants, the author turns his attention to “Supporters†- the lay jains (Sravaks and Sravikas) and their religious culture. Ways of worship, Temple visits, rituals, ascetic practices such as fastings, religious festivals, pilgrimages and ritual for terminally ill persons embracing death by self starvation (Santhara) etc. are discussed with great respect for traditions.There is a chapter on Jain biology and Cosmography – author prefers to not use the word cosmology as the term refers to the cosmic origin and he explains that Jains have no such concept. In minute details Jain teachings on time, space and Jain cosmos description of three basic parts – Multilayer Heaven above; Multilayer hell bellow and a thin disk in between where humans, animals and plants live are described. The seventh and last chapter describes “social Context†of Jainism and Jains in present day India. Descriptions of various castes (Khandelval, Oswal and Srimals etc) make reading the chapter interesting. The book ends with a long but very helpful glossary of Jain terms.It is heartwarming to see new books on Jainism appearing in English indicating welcome rise in awareness of Jainism in the west. Although the book is intended for the students of comparative religions, it may be very valuable resource for new generation of Jains everywhere whose first language is English.
Want to understand a religion out of your reach. This clearly written is more than an Introduction to Jainism. Written by an expert in the field, with the ability to write for non-experts in the field, Alan Babb puts in all the nifty details that help you get a full picture of the people of this religious group in India. Read the book an learn why they believe what they do and how their daily life reflects their belief system. You will want to read more of this anthropologist's books.
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