A Detailed Study of Jaina Religious Tradition

Course Code: BRS06

A Detailed Study of Jaina Religious Tradition

BD III, Semester 1, 4 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives:

1. To critically study the development of Jainism over different periods of time and their contexts up to 1800 A.D. with special reference to India.
2. To cultivate an informed understanding of Jainism, particularly discerning the liberating resources in Jainism over against oppressive forces in religion, culture, and society.

Note:

Students are expected to choose any one of the courses listed in RC 304.

Methodology:

• Historical, Sociological, Philosophic-Theological, and Religio-Phenomenological Approaches would be used as applicable.
• The different sections of the course would include critical reflections from the perspectives of women, Dalits, tribals, and the poor. Responses would also be made from Christian insights and concerns for interfaith relations.
• Students would be expected, if possible, to visit Jain temples and observe the performance of rituals and sanskaras as well as a celebration of festivals. Audio-visual aids could also be used particularly where practical exposure is difficult.
• Visit homes of Jains and seek their views on their beliefs and practices. A lecture or lectures by knowledgeable practicing Jains could also be arranged.
• Reflective critical reports of all such exposures would have to be written by the students.
• Students would also be expected to study prescribed texts.
• Certain sections of the syllabus may be assigned to students for self-study and presentation.

Course Requirements:

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline:

I. Introduction

• The Brahmanic and Sramanic traditions in Ancient India.
• Jain view of the history of their Sramanic tradition before Mahavira.
• The Socio-Religious and Economic-Political context of Mahavira.
• The Life and Work of Vardhamana Mahavira.

II. History of Jainism after Mahavira

• Jainism from the sixth century BCE to the first century BCE (the Council meetings, the formation of the two main divisions in Jainism, the spread of Jainism from east to central, west, north, and south India).
• Jainism from the first century CE till the thirteenth century.
• Jainism from the thirteenth century till the eighteenth century.

III. The Jaina Literature

• The Svetambara Canonical Literature.
• The Non-Canonical Svetambara Literature.
• The Literature of the Digambaras.
• Texts for study: Akaranga Sutra and Kalpa Sutra (vide Jacobi H., Sacred Books of the East, Vol. 22, ed. by Max Muller, Delhi: AVF Books Distributors, 1987).

IV. The Teachings of Jainism

• Jaina Philosophy: The Two Categories or Dravyas (Jiva and Ajiva); Anekantavada and Syadavada; Atheism/Theism.
• The Fundamental Doctrinal Principles or Tattvas: Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Papa, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, Moksha.
• The Ethical Teachings: The Tri-Ratnas – Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct.
• The Six-Fold Monastic Order (Acarya, Upadhyaya, Muni, Sahu, Arhat, Siddha) and the Monastic Disciplines.
• The Jaina Path of Purification: Gunasthanas.
• The Tirthankaras.

V. Jain Religious Practices

• Worship/Reverence, Rituals, and Samskaras.
• Significance of Temples and Shrines.
• Holy Days, Festivals, and Feasts.
• Pilgrimages to Holy Places.
• Fasting and Sallekhana.

VI. Some Important Issues in Jainism

• Jainism and the Caste System.
• Women in Jainism.
• Ecology and Environmental Degradation.
• Ahimsa, Violence, Terrorism, and World Peace.
• The Problem of Suffering.
• Supremacy of Ethics over Religious Faith.

VII. Christian Reflections on Jainism

• Discerning important features in Jainism and its Impact on Indian Society.
• Christian Reflections on Jainism.

Bibliography

Required Subject Reading:

• Chanchreek, K.L. and Mahesh K. Jain. Jainism: Rishaba Deva to Mahavira. New Delhi: Shree Pub., 2004.
• Chanchreek, K.L. and Mahesh K. Jain, eds. Jain Sutra Acharanga and Kalpa Sutra. Delhi: Soujanya Books, 2006.
• Chatterji, A.K. A Comprehensive History of Jainism (2 vols.). 2nd Revised Edition. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 2000.
• Sangave, Vilas Adinath. Facets of Jainology. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan, 2001.
• Vibha, Sadhvi Vishrut. An Introduction to Jainism. Edited by Muni Mahendra Kumar, Ladnun: Jain Vishva Bharati, 2007.

Required Perspectival Reading:

• Bothara, Surendra. Ahimsa – The Science of Peace. Jaipur: Prakrit Bharati Academy, 2004.
• Chapple, Christopher Key. Jainism and Ecology. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2006.
• Glasenapp, Helmuth von. Jainism: A Religion of Salvation. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1999.
• Jaini, Padmanabh S. Gender and Salvation: Jain Debates on the Spiritual Liberation of Women. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1987.
• Mardia, K.V. The Scientific Foundation of Jainism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, latest edition, 2007.
• Mittal, A.C. Economic Aspects of Jainism. Delhi: Vista International Publishing House, 2006.

Supplementary Reading:

• Alsdorf, Ludwig. Jaina Studies: Their Present State and Future Tasks. English Translated by Bal Patil. Edited by Willem Bollee. Mumbai: Hindi Granth Karyalay, 2006.
• Ayyangar, M.S. Ramaswami and C. Seshagiri Rao. Studies in South Indian Jainism, Part I and Part II. Delhi: Satguru Publications, 1982.
• Bhattacharya, N.N. Jainism: A Concise Encyclopedia. Delhi: Manohar Pub., 2009.
• Bloomfield, Maurice. The Life and Stories of the Jain Saviour Parsvanatha. Delhi: Gian Publishing House, 1985.
• Chanchreek, K.L. and Mahesh K. Jain. Encyclopedia of Great Festivals. Delhi: Shree Pub., 2007.
• Cort, John E. Jains in the World: Religious Values and Ideology in India. Oxford University Press, 2001.
• Desai, Kumarpal. The Scientific Foundations of Jainism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, n.d.
• Dundas, Paul and John Hinnels, eds. The Jains. London: Routledge, 2002.
• Gopalan, S. Outlines of Jainism. New Delhi: Wiley Eastern (P) Ltd., 1973.
• Jain, Duli Chand. English Version of Bhagawan Mah avir ki Vani – Thus Spake Lord Mahavir. Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1998.
• Jain, Kailash Chandra. Lord Mahavira and His Times. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1974.
• Jain, L.C. Astronomy and Cosmology. Jaipur: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharati, n.d.
• Jain, S.C. Introducing Jainism. Delhi: B.R. Publications, 2006.
• Jaini, Padmanabh S. The Jaina Path of Purification. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2000.
• Jalal, Jaykumar. The Basic Thought of Bhagavan Mahavir. Edited by Elinor Velazquez. 5th ed. Jaipur: Prakrit Bharati Academy, 2007.
• Kumar, Raj. Glory of Jaina: Religion, Philosophy and Science. Delhi: Raj Publications, 2007.
• Mishra, Madhusudan. Household Discipline in Jainism. Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1995.
• Mukherjee, Asha, ed. Cognition, Man and the World. Delhi: Kalinga, 2004.
• Nahar, Puran Chand and Krishnachandra Ghosh. Jainism: Precepts and Practice. 2 Vols. Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1988.
• Nahar, Puran Chand and Krishnachandra Ghosh, ed. An Encyclopaedia of Jainism. Jaipur: Sri Satguru Pub., 1996.
• Padmarajiah, Y.J. A Comparative Study of The Jaina Theories of Reality and Knowledge. Reprint. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2004.
• Pande, G.C. Sramana Tradition. Ahmedabad: Institute of Indology, 1978.
• Prasad, Sital. A Comparative Study of Jainism and Buddhism. Jaipur: Satguru Pub., 2003.
• Sethia, Tara, ed. Ahimsa, Anekanta and Jainism. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2004.
• Sharma, Arvind. A Jaina Perspective on the Philosophy of Religion. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2001.
• Sharma, Bela Rani. Buddhism, Jainism, and Women. Delhi: Arimol Publications, 1995.
• Stevenson, Sinclair. The Heart of Jainism, 1915. 2nd ed. Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1995.
• Tandon, O.P. Jaina Shrines in India. New Delhi: Government of India, 1986.
• Toliya, Pratapkumar J. Meditation and Jainism. Bangalore: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation, 1986.
• Winternitz, Maurice. A History of Indian Literature. Vol. II. Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1972.

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