Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 38

JAINISM IN AMERICA Bhuvanendra Kumar
This is a first ethnographic and social study of Jains in America. It briefly defines their religion in western concept, and narrates its history of religion from Indus Valley civilization where the ancient Jinas, Lord Rsabha and Ajita onwards, were said to have set the structure of the first organized religion in the ancient world.
First chapter deals with Jainism and its characteristics. It defines the terms Jain and Jina as found in literary and lithic records, and the coopting of the term Jina into Mahayana Buddhism in around 750 C.E. The Jain characteristics are explained through their basic anuvratas-mahavratas, and metaphysics which consists of the Seven Truths and the Triratna theory of samyag-darsana, jnana and caritra-Right Faith, Knowledge and Conduct. Principal Jain doctrines of ahimsa, karma and anekanta are covered in the second chapter, and each is elaborated in light of philosophic religiosity and logic. Jain religion in ancient India from pre and protohistoric to the last four historic Jinas, and of the undivided church up to the schism in 82 C.E. are presented in third chapter. Early Jaina historic contact and influence outside India, and their coming to America are covered in fourth chapter. Characteristics and distinguishable features of identity of AmeriJains are dealt in the fifth chapter. Sixth chapter describes a range of Jain religious externals such as temples, worship, rituals and festivals.
Thus, Jainism in America is a study of sociology of Jains delineated by a methodical system and rigorously documented. Conclusively, it establishes that Jains [i] form an extension of an ancient religious group [ii] have a religious, cultural and social organization as outward expression of community and people [iii] maintain a religious entity and structure in new American environment [iv] indigenously have developed a coherent and homogenous community that is indivisible on sectarian or social grounds, and [v] as a world religion, it possesses historical, doctrinal, ethical, social and experiential dimensions.
Indeed, Jainism in America provides an awesome degree of philosophic fervour sans Agamic literalism, plus it is the first comprehensive literature from academic point of view offered about Jainism in America.
ISBN-09699978-3-3221 pages *Hard Bound
$24.95