Table of Contents

Contents: Foreword; Introduction; The Meaning of Life; The Antiquity of Jainism ; History; The Origins of Jainism and the First Tirthankara--Risabhadeva; The Later Tirthankaras; Vardhamana Mahavira; The Jain Sangha, Monks and Nuns, Yatis and Bhattarakas; Prominent Aacaaryas; Royal Patronage; Popular Support; Decline and Revival; The Schisms; Jain Migration Abroad; Jains in the Twentieth Century; Teachings of Mahavira; The Path of Purification; Jain Ethics; Ahimsaa, Aparigraha, Anekaantavaada; Austerities; Jain Yoga and Meditation; The Jain Community; The Fourfold Order; Monks and Nuns, and their Daily Duties; Laypeople and their Daily Duties; Jain Society as Depicted in the Narrative Literature; Jain Society in the Contemporary World; The Future -- Jains and Jainism; Popular Jainism; Regular Practices and Rituals; Svetambara Rituals; Penitential Retreat; Digambara Rituals and Rituals of Other Sects; Social Rituals; Jain Sacred Days and Festivals; Jainism in the Modern World; Human Attitudes and Jain Ethics; Animal Welfare; Environmental Concerns; Vegetarianism; Jain Food Habits; Current Trends and Conclusions; The Current State of Jainism; Index.

About the Author

Dr. Natubhai Shah, a medical graduate of Bombay University, is Chairman of the Jain Academy and Founder President of Jain Samaj Europe. He represents Jainism at the highest level.

Reviews

"These two volumes provide an intimate vantage view of what the author calls 'the world of conquerors' - a world of inner and outer space waiting to be conquered not by warlike weapons unleashed by greed, malice, domination, violence and exploitation but by peaceful conquerors following principles and practice of Right Knowledge, Right Faith, and Right Austerities, based on reverence for life, compassion, non-violence, equanimity and a sense of mutual interdependence." -- From the Foreword by His Excellency Dr L. M. Singhvi, formerly High Commissioner for India.