Jains see these texts, which are the transcriptions of lord mahavirs sermons, as sacred documents. Some artifacts found in the indus valley civilization have been suggested as a link to ancient jain culture, but this is highly speculative and a subjective interpretation. Unlike monotheistic traditions, the jains do not have a unique holy book that characterises their faith. Along with hinduism and buddhism, jainism is one of the three most ancient indian religious traditions still in existence and an integral part of south asian religious belief and practice. The need for english jain literature has grown much more in recent times with new generation moving away from mother, mother tongue, mother land, mother. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc. Jain monks and nuns are now permitted to possess religious books, so the jain. Pilgrimage pilgrimage in jainism temples on the shatrunjaya hills, gujurat an important jain site. Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and modern vernacular jain religious literature, john cort provides a rounded portrait of. Jains trace their history through twentyfour tirthankara and revere rishabhanatha as the first tirthankara in the present timecycle. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry.
This book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. The hindus consider them to be the believers in the hinduism. As i recall, there may be a sentence or two of jain scripture in the entire book. Jainism is an eastern religion with origins in the indus river valley dating back to 3000 b. Agams are the jain texts which are based on the discourse. The jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran.
This is a complete ebook of on the indian sect of the jainas, by johann georg buhler. This is in a fully referenced, comprehensively indexed, questionanswer format with many examples helps to readily grasp even difficult concepts. Followers of jainism are called jains, and there are about 4 million worldwide. Starting with bimbisar, the kings of the nanda dynasty and the early maurya dynasty were believers of jainism, according to the jain literature. The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Hindus are in a similar position, even though they have the vedas, which can be considered the ultimate source of teaching. Popular jainism books meet your next favorite book. Jain literature is primarily divided between digambara literature and svetambara literature. The svetambara canon consists principally of 45 works divided as follows.
Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. An introduction, is a thoroughly researched overview of the jain tradition, a religion and set of philosophical constructs that have influenced indian thought for over 2500 years. The jain literature, which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis, is known as agam literature. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like. This booklet provides a brief summary of each agama with a few key sutras highlighted. Concise but accurate introduction to the key principles of jainism. Many classical texts are in sanskrit tatvartha sutra, puranas, koshas, shravakacharas, mathematics, nighantus etc. The agam sutras show great reverence for all forms of life and strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, nonviolence, and opposition to war. The sunnis are followers of the political successors of mohammed. The journal of religion this book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism.
The book covers the jain religion, its philosophy and history in extensive detail. The faith is named for the jinas, spiritual conquerors who have achieved liberation and perfection. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. This religions holy text is referred to as agam literature or sutras and. Scripture is the synonym of the holy text, which consists of religious dogmas, and assertions of an authentic authority apta purusa. Jain siddhant prashnottarmala gujarati, typed, size1. Jain principles in a full referenced, comprehensively indexed, questionanswer format with lots of examples. Jainworld is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of jain tradition of wisdom, compassion, equality, brotherhood, universal wellbeing and spirituality. The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. Today islam is the worlds fastest growing religion. Introduction to jainism, theory of karma, the six dravyas and more. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it. M ghatge taught sanskrit, prakrit and linguistics to the undergraduate and postgraduate classes since 1936 through 1978, and 22 research students got their phd d degree, between 1961 and 1978, under his guidance as a guide he taught modern linguistics at the. After bhadrabahu, the teachings became inconsistent and differences emerged among jain leaders due to the scism of religious order into digambara and svetambara.
Also, as mentioned in the book, jainism is scientific religion covering physics, math and other subjects. Compiled by ramjibhai manekchand doshi and many volunteers. It is read in the eight day long festival called paryushan posted by chris, emily, and kelly at. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects.
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. The jain tradition believes that their religion is eternal, and the teachings of their first tirthankara rishabhanatha were their. He expects to publish a book on the subject within the next few years. By birth, im jainand trying to be jain by actand i appreciate many historical perspective on jainism. Magadha was the center of jainism in the written history of india. The holy teachers are called the jina, and they are the epitome of teaching for all jains, especially the jina mahavira. Lord mahavira gave his first sermon on the vipula peak at rajgir. The book renders each verse into an easy to understand commentary and provides an excellent overview of the jain philosophy and religion. 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.
Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain. The holy book of jainism is a collection of texts known as agam literature or the agam sutras. The jainism has its own scriptures called agamas or srutas, which are directly derived from the tirthankaras. Jain narrative literature is full of instances of jai existence in foreign countries. The world of conquerors volume 1 natubhai shah, dr natubhai shah. Jain literature exists mainly in magadhi prakrit, sanskrit, marathi, tamil, rajasthani, dhundari, marwari, hindi, gujarati, kannada, malayalam, tulu and more recently in english. The jain literature which was compiled by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Paradham, vallabh baug lane, tilak road, ghatkopar east, mumbai, maharashtra 400077, india phone.
After the emigration of large number of jain monks to south with bhadrabahu, numerous councils were called to. Jain books, jain literature, jain shastras in english. The holy book of jains the kalpa sutra is the holy book of the of jainism religion. The oldest jain literature is in shauraseni and ardhamagadhi prakrit agamas, agamatulya, siddhanta texts, etc. Wear clean clothes, wash your hands and feet and if you have eaten something make sure to gargle and clean your mouth. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed. In india, they share this feature with the buddhists. These sutras are collectively known as agams or agam sutras, the sacred books of the jain religion. Agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism.
Jain literature comprises jain agamas and subsequent commentaries on them by various jain ascetics. Jain religion propounded by omniscient leaderstirthankar is complete in each form with minute and intricate knowledge and code of conduct capable to bring about development until emancipation. It is written in pali which is an olden indian language. It is very voluminous and the english version has about forty volumes. Jainism is an indian religion that emphasizes complete nonviolence and asceticism. The jain literature which was complied by ganadharas and srutkevlis is known as agam literature. Wear clean clothes, wash your hands and feet and if you have eaten something make sure to. Instead they have a body of holy writings or scriptures.
It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source texts. They are humans who achieve enlightenment via asceticism. The acharangasutra deals chiefly with the ethical conduct and discipline of monks. Please pledge to do swadhyay for at least 510 minutes each day. Singhvi and an introduction to the jaina faith by padmanabh s.
Pilgrimage plays an important part in jain life for digambaras and some svetambaras. He has also tried to depict differences between jainism and baudhdhism, where applicable. The tattvarthasutra is a famous book which summarizes jain teachings. This book presents a detailed fieldworkbased study of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Jain agam literature background jain education, jain. Jaina sutras, part ii sacred books of the east vol.
Jainism emerged in 6thcentury bce india, the same time buddhism was developing. Good books can change your thinking and thinking can change your life. These texts are the holy scriptures of the jain religion. Jainism, indian religion teaching a path to spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence ahimsa, literally noninjury to all living creatures overview. It is the sacred book of islam explained as the religion of abraham. Unlike most common monotheistic religions, jainism does not have one holy book that characterizes their faith. It was translated with an introduction by nathmal tatia, includes a foreword by l. The jain literature includes both religious texts and books on generally secular topics such as sciences, history, and grammar.
Many tamil classics are written by jains or with jain beliefs and values as the core subject. Drawing on field research in northern gujarat and on the study of both ancient sanskrit and prakrit and modern vernacular jain religious literature, john cort provides a rounded portrait of the religion as it is practiced today. Jain literature was transmitted through oral tradition and consisted of teachings of jain leaders like mahavira. It was extremely difficult to keep memorizing the entire jain literature. Instead they have a collection of holy writings and scriptures. This page provides information about important jain texts. The sacred literature of the jains religion online. The jain scriptures are the source books of jain ethics, yoga, religion, philosophy and mythology. The samanasutta is a sacred text of jainas and jainreligion. It says,it is the commandment of the jain god that one should give up the souls outer activities of the mind, of the speech and of the body.
89 932 1334 257 1547 800 203 572 241 167 1117 1393 897 470 1281 245 467 224 581 1439 743 1417 264 949 1157 131 244 1367 1309 54 168 1344 1263 1400