The A to Z of Jainism
Jain is the term used for a person who has faith in the teachings of the Jinas ('Spiritual Victors'). Jinas are human beings who have overcome all passions (kasayas) and have attained enlightenment or omniscience (kevala-jnana), who teach the truths they realized to others, and who attain liberation (moksa) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). At the core of these teachings is nonviolence (ahimsa), which has remained the guiding principle of Jain ethics and practices to this day. In comparison with other religious traditions of South Asia, Jains are few in number, comprising less than one percent of India's population. The lay and mendicant communities of the Jain, however, have maintained an unbroken presence in India for more than 2,500 years and have influenced its culture throughout this time. The A to Z of Jainism covers the history of Jainism that spans a period of more than 2,500 years. The history, values, concepts, and scriptures; eminent mendicant, lay leaders, and scholars; and places, institutions, social, and cultural factors are covered in over 450 dictionary entries. This comprehensive reference work also includes an introductory essay, explanation of the Jain scriptures, chronology, appendixes, and bibliography. This book provides an excellent introduction and overview to Jainism for scholars, students, and general readers.
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Contents
Introduction
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1 |
The Dictionary
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21 |
Appendix
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243 |
The Eleven Pratimās
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245 |
The Jain Festival Calendar
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246 |
Tīrthankaras Cognizances
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247 |
Tīrthankaras Yakşas
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248 |
Tīrthankaras Yakşīs
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249 |
Tīrthankaras Birth and Nirvāna Sites
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250 |
Bibliography
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251 |
About the Author
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287 |
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Common terms and phrases
20th century ācārya According Agama ahimsā Ahmedabad Anga aparigraha āryikā associated attained liberation mokşa Bahubali Banaras Belgola bhaṭṭārakas born called canon century C.E. cloth commentaries darśana death deities Delhi devas Digambara Digambara community Digambara mendicant Digambara monk disciples dravya established fasting gaṇadharas Gujarat harm initiated Jain Jain community Jain mendicants Jain scriptures Jain temples Jain texts Jaina Jainism Jaipur Jinas Jinasena jīva karma Karnataka kevalin Kharatara Gaccha Kundakunda lay vows laypeople layperson living Mahāvīra mantras manuscripts meditation mendicant community mendicant conduct mendicant leader ācārya mendicant lineage mendicant vows mahāvratas Muni Mūrtipūjaka mendicant named north India nudity nuns Panth Pārsvanatha performed Pradesh Prakrit pratimā pūjā Rajasthan religious renounced the household renunciation rites ritual sacred sādhus samsāra Sangha Sanskrit scholars sectarian tradition siddhas soul jīva south India spiritual Sthānakavāsī Sūtra Svāmī Śvet Śvetāmbara Śvetāmbara Mūrtipūjaka Syādvāda Tapā Gaccha teachings Terapanthi Tirthankaras universe worship yakṣa yatis