Jainism: The World of Conquerors, Volume 1

The first chapter introduces Jainism through the meaning of life, the idea of self-conquest, and the Jain greeting Jai Jinendra. It explains the Jain view of life, karma, rebirth, suffering, soul, liberation, and the pursuit of inner happiness. The chapter also presents the antiquity of Jainism and discusses literary, archaeological, scientific-geological, and philosophical approaches to its early history. The historical chapters examine the origins of Jainism, the first tirthankara Risabhadeva, later tirthankaras, and Vardhamana Mahavira. They also trace the formation of the Jain sangha, the role of monks, nuns, yatis, and bhattarakas, the contribution of prominent ācāryas, royal patronage, popular support, decline and revival, sectarian schisms, migration abroad, and Jain life in the twentieth century. The doctrinal chapters focus on Mahavira’s teachings, including the path of purification, Jain ethics, ahiṃsā, aparigraha, anekāntavāda, austerities, yoga, and meditation. The section on the Jain community explains the fourfold order of monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers, together with their respective duties. The later chapters present popular Jainism through regular practices, rituals, sectarian ritual traditions, social rites, sacred days, festivals, and Jain society as reflected in narrative literature and contemporary life. The modern-world section highlights human attitudes, animal welfare, environmental concerns, vegetarianism, and Jain food habits. The concluding section reflects on the current state and future of Jainism.