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time more or less long, due to the bad deeds they have committed during their lives. Some Jains fear these evil ones for their harmful influence on living beings, as it was the case for Mahāvīra during his ascetic life.
In chapter four, we have a look at the numerous sacred texts and literature in what the Jains have enshrined and commented the teachings of their “Tīrthankara”, especially the rules to follow to attain “freedom” of transmigrations of the soul after this life or one or many others.
To practise their worship and to show their faith, some obediences have erected many temples, in India. They still continue to do so, and since about fifty years in various other countries where Jain communities are now living. In chapter five, we will try to draw an inventory as comprehensive as possible (but not limited) of these sites. They are so numerous, especially in India. Many are true masterpieces of an extraordinary beauty. Others are small and modest. Thus, it is the first summary so detailed and methodical that has been published to this day. Without any doubt, it will be very useful to art "amateurs" travelling in Asia and in the countries where Jain communities are now established.
Chapter six will describe the life of lay Jains. They are by far the most numerous, compared to ascetics. Chapter seven will expose the main Jain rituals, worships, cults, festivals and ceremonies.
Chapter eight will show various Jain symbols, “mandala", "yantra”, “mantra", "sūtra”, prayers and religious hymns that have a great importance for the laity as well as for the ascetics.
The "path" followed by monks and nuns of the various Jain sects will be summarized in chapter nine. It is a difficult path and demands
ant care without any weakness. It may even lead to giving up life by absolute fasting, supposed to cleanse the soul of material stains that keep it for a more or less long period of time in a state of impurity, ignorance, defectiveness, attachment and bondage to the world.
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