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phraseology, it conveys a sense of rigour and urgency that accompanies a life of ritual behaviour rooted in the avoidance of harm to any being, whether moving or still. This oldest surviving Jain text provides a glimpse into the thorough manner in which Mahavir analysed the cosmos, and conveys the great ethical sense that arose from his definition of life. Reading portions of this material helps the student of Jainism capture a sense of the gravity and beauty of Jainism's cosmo-ethical sensibilities.
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Open Boundaries, edited by John Cort, provides an excellent in-depth glimpse into Jainism in historical perspective and introduces the reader to several important researchers, foods including Cort, Peterson, Davis, Orr, Meister and others. Through the inscriptions, one learns of the past prominence of Jainism in Tamil Nadu. Through a study of temple architecture, one learns about the 'conversion' of religious buildings from one faith to another. Through a close study of texts, one learns in this book about Jain aesthetics, its relationship with the royal court of Kumarapala, its interpretations of Yoga, and of Tantra and Mantra in the Jain tradition.
Organizing Jains in India and England, by Marcus Banks, presents a delightful and well-researched study of the move on many Jain families from western India to eastern Africa and then ultimately to England. In contrast to the life of an American Jain, which is generally a life of assimilation into the mainstream, one gets a sense of isolation among British Jains,
On
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Paul Dundas
THE JAINS
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who - as described by this social scientist - generally seemed to occupy a well defined ethnic niche, at least in the 1980s. This book includes marvellous photographs and detailed descriptions of the role of Jain gathering halls for worship and social events, from Gujarat to eastern Africa and Leicester.
Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation, by Helmuth von Glasenapp, was originally published in German in 1925 and newly translated into English by Shridhar B. Shrotri in
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TOP TEN BOOKS
JAINISM
Lala SL. Jain Rowan Seles
For Private & Personal Use Only
JAINISH
An Indian Religion of Salvation
HELMUTH VON GLASENAPP
1999. It provides a nearly encyclopedic resource for learning about Jainism. Von Glasenapp, renowned for his detailed studies of Jain karma theory, provides a historical and philosophical survey of the faith with some sociological observations. He provides somewhat more technical detail than Jaini or Dundas on certain topics yet conveys this information in a readable style. With over 550 pages and 30 plates, this sizable book collates a broad range of important information.
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I want to round up this list with mentioning a Sanskrit medieval text from the 8th century, with which I have spent a significant time: Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra. This book, available in English translation by Dixit through the L.D. Series published in Ahmedabad, surveys different styles of Yoga (Patanjala, Jaina, Buddhist, Vedantin) and suggests that some Yogis might tend to go astray by participating in rituals of dubious merit. However, Haribhadra does suggest that all well-meaning faiths share the common goal of spiritual liberation. He implicitly calls upon his readers to respect the views of others, to offer words of reconciliation and seek not to offend those with whom one disagrees. A sound piece of advice in our present times.
Christopher Key Chapple is Professor at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. He is a prolific writer and speaker and his latest book is reviewed in this magazine.
December 2002 February 2003 Jain Spirit
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