Jainism Sherry Fohr by Sherry Fohr 9781441151162, 9781441165947, 9781472594549, 1441151168, 1441165940, 1472594541 instant download after payment.

Jainism is arguably the most non-violent and austere religion in the world. While lay Jains attempt to never harm humans or animals, the strict non-violence followed by the highly revered monks and nuns also proscribes harm to any living being, even a microscopic organism. And while laywomen (and a few laymen) undergo long and difficult fasts, the longest being for one month, renouncers’ austerities also include pulling their hair out by the roots two to five times a year, walking bare-foot throughout India most of the year, and, in the case of some monks, not wearing any clothing at all.
A Guide for the Perplexed is a clear and thorough account of this fascinating tradition, explaining many basic Jain values, beliefs and practices in the same way they are taught to Jains themselves, through the medium of sacred narratives. Drawing from Jainism’s copious and influential narrative tradition, the author explores the inner-logic of how renouncers’ and laypeople’s values and practices depend on an intricate Jain worldview.
Although Jainism has a significant following in India as well as an extremely influential and diverse tradition of religious narratives, relatively little has been published about Jain sacred stories. These narratives are the primary means through which Jains learn about their own religion and how to practice it, and so they are extremely influential concerning how Jains practice and live their religion today. This book explains some basic Jain values, beliefs, and practices in the same way they are taught to Jains themselves, through the medium of sacred narratives. Jainism developed along side Hinduism and Buddhism, and the various genres of Jain narratives reflect the Jain worldview that has both similarities and differences with these two religions. One genre of narratives illustrates the longstanding historical imperative to reform laxity within Jain orders of renouncers, an imperative that both led to the formation of different sects and sub-sects and also allowed Jainism to survive in India while Buddhism declined. Narratives about the founders (Jinas) of Jainism provide exemplars for monks and nuns to follow today. They also provide descriptions of exemplary ethical conduct that is further encouraged by other narratives that describe the karmic punishments for violating ethical principles. Narratives about heroic ‘virtuous women’ provide exemplars for both nuns and laywomen to follow, while narratives about kings and gods provide exemplars for laymen. Finally, there are narratives concerning prayers, festivals, and worship that are relevant to all Jains regardless of whether they monks, nuns, laymen, or laywomen.