Jainism: A Study

The volume opens with an editorial discussion of Jainism’s place within Indian cultural heritage, alongside Hinduism and Buddhism. It presents Jainism as a living spiritual philosophy grounded in ahiṃsā, aparigraha, and anekāntavāda. Non-violence is explained as the basis of universal brotherhood and the ethical response to hatred, conflict, ego, exploitation, and war. Non-possession is interpreted as freedom from attachment, control of desire, social responsibility, and the proper sharing of wealth. Non-absolutism is presented as a doctrine of open-mindedness, intellectual tolerance, and the recognition of truth from multiple standpoints. The main essays develop these themes from historical, philosophical, and social perspectives. The discussion on wealth and income in ancient India examines inequality and economic distribution through Jain canonical sources. Other essays explore Jain sacred geography in Magadh, Jain interactions with Akbar, and the relationship between aparigraha and Vinoba’s Bhoodan movement. Philosophical essays address karma, freedom, destiny, Kundakundacharya’s contribution to Jain thought, and the broader philosophy of Mahaveer. The historical and biographical sections examine Jainism in Andhra from the seventh to tenth centuries, Mahaveera’s sādhanā, Gandhi as a “de-facto Jain,” Rsabhadeva as the first Tirthankara, and Mahaveer as a self-enlightened spiritual practitioner. The later essays include reflections on Mahaveer’s teachings, the Jain ascetic-teacher ideal, Har Prasad Das Jain’s social and philanthropic contributions, Bulleshah as a Sufi saint, and a concluding essay on the philosophy of Mahaveer.