Jainism: A Guide for the Perplexed

Guides for the Perplexed

by Sherry Fohr

Jainism is arguably the most non-violent and austere religion in the world. While lay Jains attempt to never harm humans or animals, the strict non-violence followed by the highly revered monks and nuns also proscribes harm to any living being, even a microscopic organism. And while laywomen (and a few laymen) undergo long and difficult fasts, the longest being for one month, renouncers' austerities also include pulling their hair out by the roots two to five times a year, walking bare-foot throughout India most of the year, and, in the case of some monks, not wearing any clothing at all.

A Guide for the Perplexed is a clear and thorough account of this fascinating tradition, explaining many basic Jain values, beliefs and practices in the same way they are taught to Jains themselves, through the medium of sacred narratives. Drawing from Jainism's copious and influential narrative tradition, the author explores the inner-logic of how renouncers' and laypeople's values and practices depend on an intricate Jain worldview.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2013

Reviews

[Samrudha Surana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is invaluable for its emphasis on the role of narratives in understanding religion broadly, but more specifically Jainism. In a changing world, narratives allow sufficient flexibility in rethinking how we practice religion in our everyday lives.
Subtracted a star because the book misses some key elements of the religion that I would have considered important, but also the author chooses to devote substaintial space to questions that interest them, but may not help the "perplexed".

[Kamakana · Rating 2 out of 5]

080217: religious exemplary narratives for monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen. some cosmology, metaphysics, not theory or much philosophy...