Perspectives in Jainism

This volume evaluates the major dimensions of Jainism and highlights the relevance of Jain principles in life in the 21" century. It discusses the role of samyak-darshan (enlightened world-view) in life, anekant (multifacetedness of reality) in thought, ahimsa (non-violence) in conduct and voluntary limitation of wants and possessions (aparigraha) in society.

The book evaluates the significance of the Jaina concepts of jiva and paryaya (modifications) of substance, which is characterized by both permanence and change. It goes on to highlight the significant contributions of Acharya Kundakunda and describes the views of Shvetambara scholars, particularly Dalsukh Malvania, M.A. Dhaky and the Terapanthi sect on Kundakunda. It also describes the similarities and differences between Acharya Kundakunda and Vedantin Shankracharya and shows how the latter was indebted to the former.

Jagdish Prasad Jain is Founder of Jain Mission and Editor of Jain Agam. He was formerly Diplomat/Adviser, Indian Mission to the United Nations, New York; Deputy Director, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; and Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has devoted himself to the study of Jainism for over three decades. He has published numerous articles in national and international journals and has lectured extensively in India and the United States, including at the Conventions of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) and Jain Center of Northern California.

This volume evaluates the major dimensions of Jainism and highlights the relevance of Jain principles in the 21" century. It discusses the role of samyak-darshan (enlightened world-view) in life, anekant (multfacetedness of reality) in thought, ahimsa (non-violence) in conduct, and aparigraha (voluntary limitation of wants and possessions) in society.

It describes the Jaina concepts of jiva and the concept of paryaya (modification). The book highlights the significant contributions of Kundakunda and describes the views of Shvetambara scholars, particularly Dalsukha Malvania, Sagarmal Jain, M.A. Dhaky and the Terapanth sect on Acharya Kundakunda. The study describes the similarities as well as marked differences between Jain Acharya Kundakunda and Vedantin Shankracharya and shows how the latter was indebted to the former.

The study also examines the various criteria of good or morality, including the Western concept of utilitarianism, and the relationship of morality with spirituality. The work also compares Jain ethical values with the principles of Islam and deals with the art and science of forgiveness. The book describes the objectivity and subjectivity in science and spirituality and the concept of ultimate reality in Jainism. I sincerely thank my son Rajendra Kumar Jain and daughter-in-law Sunita Jain for their encouragement, support and help of various kinds.

**Contents and Sample Pages**