Jain Digest 1987 02 Vol 07 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 20

A BOOK REVIEW
Author:
"THE JAINA PATH OF PURIFICATION" Prof. Padmanabh S. Jaini Prof. of Buddhist Study University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A.
Publishers:
1. University of California Press Ltd
Berkeley, Los Angeles, London
2. Motilal Banarasidass
Jawahar Nagar, Delhi - 110007 Through 'The Jaina Path of Purification' Mr. Padmanabh S. Jaini, professor of Buddhist Study at University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A., has presented a comprehensive literary work on Jainism, a Religion of Peace and Ahimsa. His elucidation of the essentials of Jain Cosmology and philosophy is concise but spendidly put. The path of purification, where the soul escapes Karmic attachment to eternal salvation, has been precisely explained. It touches the cycles of transmigrations, a Jain phenomenon, a reflection and an attempt to lessen emotional burden, the bondage axis. The basic process is the cycle of Transmigration through various degrees of purification of the soul. A detailed doctrinal description, the fourteen stages of spiritual evolution, has been explained.
Prof. Jaini has nicely dealt with various Vratas and Gunavratas, which are principal codes of conduct for lay people otherwise called Shravakas in Jain term. The examination of Ahimsa Doctrine as consciousness and sacred to the conduct in daily life is remarkably shown. And the description of Jain rituals and rites and the process of attaining Siddha State is excellent.
The concluding chapter, 'Jaina Society Through The Ages' discusses the strengths of Jain Religion and its progressive growth and survival through royal patronage, integration of divinities and peace and goodwill to all.
Prof. Jaini's language and style in the book are lucidly modern, and the substance is rich to the extent that 'The Jaina Path of Purification' appeals to general readers and as well to the Pundits. It is indeed a valuable addition to one's library.
- By 'Bhuvanendra'
WELCOME NEW PATRONS
110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. 126. 127. 128.
Mr. Toki & Vimla Savla, Bombay Mr. Pravin & Kiran Shah, Illinois Mr. Uttam & Anita Jain, Illinois Mr. Naresh & Dr. Bina Jain, Illinois Mr. Manu & Ila Shah, Illinois Mr. Niranjan & Lata Shah, Illinois Mr. Surendra & Shobhana Patel, North Carolina Mr. Kirti & Bhishma Shah, North Carolina Mr. Dhiru & Tara Patel, North Carolina Mr. Kirti & Hansa Shah, North Carolina Mr. Kirti & Jyoti Shah, North Carolina Mr. Pravin & Arti Shah, North Carolina Mr. Datta & Girish Shah, California Mr. Sailesh Lakdawala, Texas Mr. Navin & Leena Rambhia, Ohio Dr. Vinay & Laxmi Jain, Massachusettes Mr. Ashok & Dr, Kalpana Choksi, Michigan Mr. Kanhai & Leela Bhalgat, Michigan Dr. Rajendra K. Jain, Ontario