Jains believe that jainism is an eternal dharma with the tirthankaras guiding every cycle of the jain cosmology. Natubhai shah this book is the first comprehensive study of jainism to be published in the west. Books on jainism and jain philosophy hindu website. Jaina canon, the sacred texts of jainism, a religion of india, whose authenticity is disputed between sects. An introduction, is a thoroughly researched overview of the jain tradition, a religion and set of philosophical constructs that have. These are said to be based on the discourse of the tirthankara, delivered in a samavasarana divine preaching. Jainism is a religion where the follower is expected to help themselves towards salvation, through thinking and acting in the proper way. It is written by a practicing jain, drawing on his rich experience of jainism in. The texts containing the teachings of mahavira are called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism.
Jainism dont have any specific holy book like the bhagavad geeta,the quran or the bible. We have certain scriptures which are considered as very sacred. Agam literature consists of many texts, which are the sacred books of the jain religion. The indian religion of jainism, whose central tenet involves nonviolence to all creatures, is one of the worlds oldest and leastunderstood faiths. Jainism differs from many religions in that there is no one scripture or holy book that is central to our faith. The texts containing the teachings of mahaviraare called the agamas, and are the canonical literature the scriptures of svetambara jainism.
This book offers an illuminating portrait of the ancient indian religion of jainism. Jains are very caring over the environment, they wear masks over their faces to prevent inhaling of any small insects and they carry. The holy book of jainism is known as the kalpa sutra or sutras. Jain agam literature jainism literature center articles. An introduction, is a thoroughly researched overview of the jain tradition, a religion and set of philosophical constructs that. These texts are collectively known as agams, the sacred books of the jain.
Dundas looks at jainism in its social and doctrina. They are written in the ardhamagadhi prakrit language. Lord mahavirs preaching was methodically compiled by his followers into many texts. Hence, the jain religion does not have one sacred book like the bible or koran, but it has many books complied by many followers.