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Preface
Founded and nurtured over the centuries
in India, Jainism is a rich and profound way of life embraced by a
strong and affluent minority. Though the religion has produced world-class
leaders and propagated philosophies for the human family, it is little
known about outside the South Asian continent. The Jain community
consisting of 8 to 10 million Jains or approximately 1 % of the Indian
population has produced successful men and women in all fields including,
academics, government, medicine and the arts.
In North America, UK and outside India there are an estimated 15,000
Jain families practicing the ancient traditions of the religion. While
some of these people living in foreign nations have a solid foundation
in the religion and it's philosophies, many, unfortunately, lack knowledge
of the basic principles at the heart of the religion. This is to no
fault of theirs. While the structure of the Jain Community is a symbiotic
relationship between the lay and the monastic segments, the heavy
restrictions on travel forced upon Jain ascetics hinder the perpetual
flow of knowledge between the two groups. Thus we are left with an
educational divide - on the one hand there are the erudite monks that
possess the true working knowledge of scriptures and philosophies
of Jainism, and on the other a global community of Jains lacking access
to teachers and spiritual guidance. Since the majority of the Jain
publications are written in South Asian languages, Jains worldwide
lack easy access to Jain literature. It is mandatory that we fill
this void and produce Jain literature in contemporary, easy to understand
English.
The primary purpose of this article is to provide a basic introduction
of the Jain religion to English speaking Jain youth of North America,
UK and other countries. The article briefly covers Jain philosophy,
ethics, scriptures, religious holidays, prayers, symbols, and the
life of Lord Mahavir. Since the younger Jain generations growing up
in America have shown a sincere interest in understanding the proper
roots of Jain principles, ethics, and religion, on a scientific way.
I hope to serve that curiosity and provide information to other interested
Jains and non-Jains as well.
"In
conclusion let me assert my conviction that Jainism is an original
system, quite distinct and independent from all others; and that therefore
it is of great importance for the study of philosophical thought and
religious life in ancient India."
-Dr Hermann Jacobi
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