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JUNE 2016
PRABUDDHJEEVAN
39
chapter begins with Indo Aryans and Vedas. Coming principle, all five worthy of veneration are mendicants. to the Sraman traditions of Buddhism and Jainism, the And as for Gods and Godesses, he explains that author states that both Buddha and Mahavir accepted alhough they possess extraordinay powers, but in the basic doctrines of Karma and Transmigration from the final analysis they are magnified versions of ourselves Bramhanical teachings.It is impossible to know how for they too are worshipers of the Tirthankars. western scholars would reconcile this theory of After the significance of the Navkar Mantra, life of origination of Jainism if at some future date mendicants is described. Their Five great vows (Panch archeological evidence of Tirthankars of much earlier Mahavrats), three curtailments (Guptis) and five self era is put in their hands. In Babb's defense, he does regulations (Samitis), duty to perform daily essentials mention that "From perspective of Jain tradition, Jain (Avasyaaks) and interaction with laity are detailed. teachings are eternal and that they are periodically Mendicants obtaining food in alms rounds (Gochari) at rediscovered by certain Tirthankars who teach these the homes of the followers in exquisit details explained timeless truths, establish the communities that as adherance to true Jain conduct. So is mendicants preserve and put them in practice. Because the life of austerity, discomfort, inconvenience and severe cosmos is uncreated and will never end, these teacher hardships as "Cultivation and maintenance of a deep establishers are infinite in numbers and come and gofor equanimity in which one is indiffrent to pain and pleasure all of infinite time."The chapter continues with story of alike." Mahavir's followers. Brief description of first disciples After the chapter on the life of mendicants, the author - eleven Gandhars is followed by noting diffrences turns his attention to "Supporters" - the lay jains between Swetamber and Digamber traditions. Also (Sravaks and Sravikas) and their religious culture. noted are the canonical literatures of the two traditions Ways of Worship, Temple visits, rituals, ascetic and with the description of Sthanakwasi and Terapanthi practices such as fastings, religious festivals, movementas in later years. He moves on with pilgrimages and ritual for terminally ill persons description of modern day Jains living abroad. He embracing death by self starvation (Santhara) etc. are takes note of historical prohibition on Jain mendicants dicussed with great respect for traditions. traveling abroad and breaking of that tradition by a There is a chapter on Jain biology and Cosmography Swetamber Muni Chandraprabhsagar (Chitrabhanuji) - author prefers not to use the word cosmology as the in 1970, Sthanakvasi monk named Sushil Kumar in term refers to the cosmic origin and he explains that 1975 and in 1980 the Terapanthis. He concludes the Jains have no such concept. In minute details Jain chapter by wondering aloud if jainism abroad will ever teachings on time, space and Jain cosmos description possess monastic core of the sort seen in India and of three basic parts - Multilayer Heaven above; what effect it will have on followrs of Jainism abroad. Multilayer hell bellow and a thin disk in between where
The third chapter gets in to the heart of Jainism - humans, animals and plants live are described. "Liberation's Roadmap". It attempts to address The seventh and last chapter describes "social questions like what is meant by liberation? Liberation Context" of Jainism and Jains in present day India. of what and from what? What is the nature of the entity Descriptions of various castes (Khandelval, Oswal and that seeks liberation from the bondage of Samsara?. Srimals etc) make reading the chapter interesting. The Next, Karmik bondage , liberation and 14 Gunasthanas book ends with a long but very helpful glossary of Jain are discussed. This chapter is the heart of the book. terms.
In the chapter titled "Strivers" Navkar Mahamantra Prof. Baab has previously published "Absent Lord" - the most important prayer for jains is explained with a book on Ascetics and Kings in Jain ritual culture great reverence. Explaining that five entities deemed and it is heart warming to see new books on Jainism worthy of worship (Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, appearing in English indicating welcome rise in Upadhyas and Sadhus) do not include Gods or awareness of Jainism in the west. Although the book Godesses and all are mendicants who have renounced is intended for the students of comparative relegions, the world in favour of ascetic life. The author calls this it may be very valuable resource for new generation of point as fundamental to understanding Jainism. Jains everywhere whose first langauge is English.** Emphasising that Jains worship Tirthankars but in Dilip V Shah, Philadelphia, U.S.A
