Jain Spirit 2000 03 No 03

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 59

CHANDU SHAH
BOOK REVIEWS
TEXTBOOK ON JAINISM
some of the most complex concepts in Jainism.
The book is divided into seven sections. It has a bibliography running into ten pages, numerous illustrations and photographs. The reader is taken patiently through the history of Jainism, and the book then moves on to a comprehensive discussion of the canonical and non-canonical literature of Svetambars and Digambars. Almost 200 pages are devoted to explaining the Jain doctrine. From time to time, Glasenapp has played the role of a scientist in explaining cosmology and ethics, but his respect for the fundamental principles of Jainism shines through. He has painstakingly drawn distinction between Hinduism/Buddhism and Jainism, and rejected the early scholar's conclusion that Jainism is nothing more than an offshoot of Hinduism. In explaining the concept of God in Jainism, he brings up the different belief systems of Hindus, Buddhists, and even Christians, and shows with admiration how logical the Jain thoughts are.
Worshippers at the Jain temple in Nairobi, Kenya.
JAINISM: AN INDIAN RELIGION OF SALVATION An English Translation of Der Jainismus Eine Indische Erlosungsreligion
By Helmuth von Glasenapp
Translated by Shridhar B. Shrotri
549 pp. Delhi 595Rs. Motilal Banarsidas Publishers www.mlbd.com
In an age when many Jains have accepted the faulty notion that Jainism was established by Lord Mahavir, the western world can benefit from this work by one of the early German scholars.
Mr Glasenapp had made it his mission to make German people acquaint with Indian culture and philosophy. To that end, the study of Jainism is essential, and this book first published in 1925 on the occasion of 75th birthday of Herman Jacobi - does a masterful job in explaining to the uninitiated
JAINISM: GIVE LIFE, TAKE NOT By Sri Chinmoy
110 pp. Available from: Agni Press, 8487 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, New York 11432
Considering Sri Chinmoy's remarkable catalogue of achievements, it is not surprising to find that he is an accomplished writer. This book forms part of an astonishingly prolific catalogue- this is the 1,249th Chinmoy has penned since his first was published
in 1970.
'Give Life, Take Not' deals mainly, but not exclusively, with different facets
As one of the western pioneers of Jain studies, and one of the few who visited India, we are struck by the amount of research Glasenapp must have done for his multifaceted study. He has acknowledged help of many Jain Acharyas, Munis and Scholars, but he could not have produced this work without studying Prakrit and Sanskrit. He has meticulously detailed world history enumerated by Jainism. He has done a superb job of reciting the lives of 24 Tirthankars of the present era and given glimpse of other eras.
This book is an excellent working tool for readers whose first and sometimes only avenue is a written work in English. In translating this book into readable English, Shridhar Shrotri has done an excellent service to the students of Jainism. DILIP V. SHAH
of Ahimsa; its concepts, history, practice and current application. Sri Chinmoy explores these different facets through the diverse media of poetry, prose, music and images. This gives the book an engaging amount of variety; one feels that it would not be best appreciated by being read cover to cover, but rather dipped into and reflected on at leisure.
58 Jain Spirit March May 2000
The prose sections include stories from Mahavir's life, comments on Ahimsa and a fascinating chapter on the relationship between Buddhism and Jainism. Chinmoy does not only limit the writings to his own; also included are articles by Dr. Singhvi and a chapter
of quotes about Jainism.
Perhaps most interesting is the conclusion of the book, which is a chapter of Chinmoy's songs. These are mostly in a simple, monodic style; anyone with a small knowledge of western notation could gain a great deal of pleasure from singing some of the prayers Chinmoy sets. They are also eminently suitable for group singing.
These songs added to the poetry, images, quotes and comments which Chinmoy provides make this publication a wonderful means for reflection and consideration of the concepts central to Jainism.
RICHARD WALLEY