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Jainism like Buddhism does not believe in a Creator God and for that reason does not believe in avatāravada or decent of God-head as and when necessary for establishing peace on earth. Instead it believes in purification of self which will lead to the perfection of man. That ultimately can ensure peace on earth.
This problem of perfection of man has been tackled by our seers-Arhats or Tirthankaras as they were called. All the rules and codes of conduct as enjoined by them such as non-violence, non-falsehood, non-theft, non-sex and nonaccumulation are intended to be practical aid to the attainment of that perfection. One has to strive for it by human endeavour through patience, forbearance, self-denial, forgiveness, humility, compassion and consideration or in brief, by suffering, sacrifice, love and kindness. In a sense it is ascent of man by conquering his lower or baser self. Story of Jainism is the story of this ascent.
Here in this book we have tried to retell that story through ages as it has found expression in the life of man as well as in its art and literature.
The Editor
