Jainism
An Indian Religion of Nonviolence
1st Edition
Published on 31. October 2025
Book
Hardback
146 pages
978-1-041-07136-5 (ISBN)
Description
This book is a multi-faceted, thorough, and yet compact introduction to Jainism. It presents the history and scripture of Jainism, a religion that originated in ancient India and still exists today.
A work of primarily philological nature, giving a close look at the history and development of Jain scriptural traditions based on the tradition of German Indology, this accessible introduction is available for the first time for an English-speaking audience. Readers will encounter an accessible, easy-toread, and up-to-date overview of Jainism according to Svetambara tradition, with reference to the Digambara tradition as well.
The author also offers anthropological, archaeological, and art-historical information from the field of Jain Studies. It will be of interest to students studying Religious Studies, Asian Religions and South Asian Studies as well as a wider public audience without in-depth previous knowledge of Jainism looking for a concise, yet innovative and insightful introduction.
A work of primarily philological nature, giving a close look at the history and development of Jain scriptural traditions based on the tradition of German Indology, this accessible introduction is available for the first time for an English-speaking audience. Readers will encounter an accessible, easy-toread, and up-to-date overview of Jainism according to Svetambara tradition, with reference to the Digambara tradition as well.
The author also offers anthropological, archaeological, and art-historical information from the field of Jain Studies. It will be of interest to students studying Religious Studies, Asian Religions and South Asian Studies as well as a wider public audience without in-depth previous knowledge of Jainism looking for a concise, yet innovative and insightful introduction.
Reviews / Votes
Patrick Krueger's Jainism: An Indian Religion of Nonviolence offers an accessible scholarly introduction to the Jain tradition. Drawing on his background in German Indology, Krueger explains the history, scriptures, and development of Jainism, raising thought-provoking questions for scholars and general readers alike about the teachings of a nonviolent religious tradition that remains perennially relevant.Christopher Jain Miller, Arihanta Institute, author of Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation
Patrick Krueger's Jainism: An Indian Religion of Nonviolence offers a meticulously researched and thematically comprehensive introduction to the Jain tradition. Grounded in the philological approach of German Indology, the volume presents both historical nuance and textual insight, while remaining accessible to a broad readership. It is a welcome and timely contribution to the growing field of Jain Studies and will serve as a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and students alike.
Venu Mehta, Claremont School of Theology, USA
This is a highly informative and well-organized introduction to the Jain tradition. Its translation into English will be a boon both to students and to anyone who is interested in learning more about this fascinating tradition and its important and ever-relevant message of nonviolence. Covering topics ranging from history to literature to ascetic practice, it is a treasure trove of useful information for anyone who wants to learn more about how Jain traditions have been lived from the ancient past to the present day.
Jeffery D. Long, Carl W. Zeigler Professor of Religion, Philosophy, and Asian Studies, Elizabethtown College, USA
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
14 s/w Abbildungen, 14 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 8 s/w Tabellen
8 Tables, black and white; 14 Halftones, black and white; 14 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
414 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-07136-5 (9781041071365)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
10/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€63.10
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E-Book
10/2025
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
E-Book
10/2025
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Persons
Patrick Felix Krueger studied South Asian Art and Archaeology, History of East Asian Art at Free University of Berlin and South Asian History at Humboldt University of Berlin. Since 2016, he has been Research Associate at the Center for Religious Studies (CERES), Research Section for Jainism of Ruhr-University Bochum.
Translators:
Marion Frenger is an independent researcher and art historian specializing in the arts of South and Southeast Asia. She has published on both pre-modern and contemporary South Asian art and co-edited Von Gibraltar bis zum Ganges. Studien zur Islamischen Kunstgeschichte in memoriam Christian Ewert (2010).
Christopher Jain Miller is Professor of Jain and Yoga Studies and VP of Academic Affairs at Arihanta Institute, Visiting Researcher at the University of Zuerich's Asien-Orient-Institut, and Visiting Professor at Claremont School of Theology. He is the author of Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation (Routledge 2024) and the co-editor of Engaged Jainism: Critical and Constructive Studies of Jain Social Engagement (SUNY 2025) as well as Beacons of Dharma: Spiritual Exemplars for the Modern Age (Lexington 2020).
Translators:
Marion Frenger is an independent researcher and art historian specializing in the arts of South and Southeast Asia. She has published on both pre-modern and contemporary South Asian art and co-edited Von Gibraltar bis zum Ganges. Studien zur Islamischen Kunstgeschichte in memoriam Christian Ewert (2010).
Christopher Jain Miller is Professor of Jain and Yoga Studies and VP of Academic Affairs at Arihanta Institute, Visiting Researcher at the University of Zuerich's Asien-Orient-Institut, and Visiting Professor at Claremont School of Theology. He is the author of Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation (Routledge 2024) and the co-editor of Engaged Jainism: Critical and Constructive Studies of Jain Social Engagement (SUNY 2025) as well as Beacons of Dharma: Spiritual Exemplars for the Modern Age (Lexington 2020).
Content
List of Figures x
Foreword xii
Acknowledgments xiv
Prologue 1
1 The Jina 6
The Jina Mahavi?ra 8
The Legend of Mahavi?ra 11
The Predecessors of Mahavi?ra 17
Parsva 19
Ari??anemi 20
??abha 21
2 Development and Growth of Jainism 24
Beginnings 25
Antiquity (ca. 500 BCE to 500 CE) 26
Medieval Period (ca. 500 CE to 1500 CE) 30
Modern Times (ca. 1500 CE to 1800 CE) 33
Colonial Period and Present (since ca. 1800 CE) 35
History of Academic Research 37
3 Literature and Tradition 41
Canonical Literature 43
The Books of the Canon 44
Twelve 'Limbs' (a?ga) 44
Twelve 'Secondary Limbs' (upa?ga) 46
Chedasutras 47
Mulasutras 47
Praki?r?akasutras 48
Culikasutras 49
Post-Canonical and Modern Literature 49
4 Understanding the World, Ethics, and Philosophy 54
Cosmology 55
Time and Time Eras 56
World and Universe 58
Cosmos 58
World 63
Development and Transmission of Jain Cosmology 65
Basic Ethical Principles of Jainism 74
Conception of the Soul 77
The Soul in the Cycles of Birth 78
Embodiment and States of the Soul 80
Living Beings 81
Body 82
Colors of the Soul 83
Function and Effect of Karma 84
Steps to Liberation 86
5 Religious Practice 93
The Jain Community 93
Religious Practice of Ascetics 95
Religious Practice of the Laity 98
Ceremonies of Worship 101
Jain Deities 103
Temples and Ascetic Lodgings 105
Religious Festivals 108
Pilgrimage 112
6 Art and Symbolism 116
The Representation of the Jina 117
Bronze Altars 120
Jain Painting and Book Art 123
Wall and Ceiling Painting 123
Painted Book Covers 124
Palm Leaf Manuscripts 125
Paper Manuscripts 126
Jain Symbols 127
Eight Auspicious Symbols (a??ama?gala) 127
Sacred Syllables 129
Epilogue 132
Glossary 135
Index 140
Foreword xii
Acknowledgments xiv
Prologue 1
1 The Jina 6
The Jina Mahavi?ra 8
The Legend of Mahavi?ra 11
The Predecessors of Mahavi?ra 17
Parsva 19
Ari??anemi 20
??abha 21
2 Development and Growth of Jainism 24
Beginnings 25
Antiquity (ca. 500 BCE to 500 CE) 26
Medieval Period (ca. 500 CE to 1500 CE) 30
Modern Times (ca. 1500 CE to 1800 CE) 33
Colonial Period and Present (since ca. 1800 CE) 35
History of Academic Research 37
3 Literature and Tradition 41
Canonical Literature 43
The Books of the Canon 44
Twelve 'Limbs' (a?ga) 44
Twelve 'Secondary Limbs' (upa?ga) 46
Chedasutras 47
Mulasutras 47
Praki?r?akasutras 48
Culikasutras 49
Post-Canonical and Modern Literature 49
4 Understanding the World, Ethics, and Philosophy 54
Cosmology 55
Time and Time Eras 56
World and Universe 58
Cosmos 58
World 63
Development and Transmission of Jain Cosmology 65
Basic Ethical Principles of Jainism 74
Conception of the Soul 77
The Soul in the Cycles of Birth 78
Embodiment and States of the Soul 80
Living Beings 81
Body 82
Colors of the Soul 83
Function and Effect of Karma 84
Steps to Liberation 86
5 Religious Practice 93
The Jain Community 93
Religious Practice of Ascetics 95
Religious Practice of the Laity 98
Ceremonies of Worship 101
Jain Deities 103
Temples and Ascetic Lodgings 105
Religious Festivals 108
Pilgrimage 112
6 Art and Symbolism 116
The Representation of the Jina 117
Bronze Altars 120
Jain Painting and Book Art 123
Wall and Ceiling Painting 123
Painted Book Covers 124
Palm Leaf Manuscripts 125
Paper Manuscripts 126
Jain Symbols 127
Eight Auspicious Symbols (a??ama?gala) 127
Sacred Syllables 129
Epilogue 132
Glossary 135
Index 140