Historical Dictionary of Jainism: : Kristi L. Wiley: Scarecrow Press

Historical Dictionary of Jainism

Description

Jain is the term used for a person who has faith in the teachings of the Jinas ("Spiritual Victors"). Jinas are human beings who have overcome all passions (kasayas) and have attained enlightenment or omniscience (kevala-jnana), who teach the truths they realized to others, and who attain liberation (moksa) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). At the core of these teachings is nonviolence (ahimsa), which has remained the guiding principle of Jain ethics and practices to this day. In comparison with other religious traditions of South Asia, Jains are few in number, comprising less than one percent of India's population. The Jain lay and mendicant communities, however, have maintained an unbroken presence in India for more than 2,500 years and have influenced its culture throughout this time.

Historical Dictionary of Jainism covers the history of Jainism that spans a period of more than 2,500 years. The history, values, concepts and scriptures, eminent mendicant and lay leaders and scholars, places, institutions, and social and cultural factors are covered in over 450 dictionary entries. This comprehensive reference work also includes an introductory essay, explanation of the Jain scriptures, chronology, appendices, bibliography, and an 8-page black-and-white photo spread. This book provides an excellent introduction and overview to Jainism for scholars, students, and general readers.

1 Editor's Foreword
2 Preface
3 Jain Scriptures
4 Reader's Notes
5 Map of Major Jain Sites in India
6 Chronology
7 Introduction
8 The Dictionary
9 Appendix *The Fourteen Gunasthanas*The Eleven Pratimas*The Jain Festival Calendar*Tirthankaras Cognizances*Tirthankaras' Birth and Nirvana Sites*Tirthankaras' Yaksas and Yaksis
10 Bibliography
11 About the Author

Product details

Published	Jul 08 2004
Format	Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition	1st
Extent	336
ISBN	9780810865587
Imprint	Scarecrow Press
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Wiley, a visiting lecturer for courses in Indian religions at the University of California at Berkeley and author of various articles on Jainism, her specialty, has provided more than a dictionary of a specific religion. She has created a valuable reference work for anyone initially studying Jainism and for those already familiar with it and who, at various times, may need a quick refresher to key aspects of this religion. Her work, therefore, can simultaneously appeal to a range of users from academic and public libraries alike. Wiley enhances the core dictionary with valuable information both in the preceding pages and in the appendices. Before the wealth of information in the dictionary, she gives the reader a pronunciation guide for the terms and names encountered within the text. In addition, spelling conventions and abbreviations are outlined so the reader can understand the structure of the words and terms in the entries. Other key features include an outline, discussion, and description of the Jain Scriptures and texts along with a chronology of key events for the Jain community of believers. A concise, but extremely informative, overview of the Jain religion follows the chronology....Overall, this is a valuable, well-designed resource that can be

Reference Reviews
The author of this concise and informative encyclopedia of Jain concepts, texts, places, and people, deserves congratulations. The latest addition to Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements series published by Scarecrow Press is easy to use and accessible to undergraduates; at the same time, its appendices and bibliography alone would be enough to warrant its inclusion on the bookshelf of any serious Jain studies specialist.

Journal of Asian Studies
Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and higher.

Choice Reviews
Wiley's Historical Dictionary of Jainism is an invaluable resource in keeping track of the multitudes of Jain terms and personages-a challenge often contributing to the hesitation of scholars and students to enter into the study of and/or dialogues with Jain materials. The entries are well written and carefully researched. The volume is remarkably comprehensive, and Wiley makes sure to include sectarian contestations in the understanding of any entry....Because of its value as an accurate and easy-to-use reference, this volume is a must for academic libnraries and the personal collections of anyone whose research touches on Jain materials.

Journal of the American Oriental Society
Wiley, a visiting lecturer for courses in Indian religions at the University of California at Berkeley and author of various articles on Jainism, her specialty, has provided more than a dictionary of a specific religion. She has created a valuable reference work for anyone initially studying Jainism and for those already familiar with it and who, at various times, may need a quick refresher to key aspects of this religion. Her work, therefore, can simultaneously appeal to a range of users from academic and public libraries alike. Wiley enhances the core dictionary with valuable information both in the preceding pages and in the appendices. Before the wealth of information in the dictionary, she gives the reader a pronunciation guide for the terms and names encountered within the text. In addition, spelling conventions and abbreviations are outlined so the reader can understand the structure of the words and terms in the entries. Other key features include an outline, discussion, and description of the Jain Scriptures and texts along with a chronology of key events for the Jain community of believers. A concise, but extremely informative, overview of the Jain religion follows the chronology....Overall, this is a valuable, well-designed resource that can be used by a variety of researchers.

Reference Reviews