Overview

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 Śvetāmbara 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.

Full Product Details

9781041071365

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Patrick Krüger’s Jainism: An Indian Religion of Nonviolence offers an accessible scholarly introduction to the Jain tradition. Drawing on his background in German Indology, Krüger 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, author of Embodying Transnational Yoga: Eating, Singing, and Breathing in Transformation ""Patrick Krüger’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

Patrick Krüger’s Jainism: An Indian Religion of Nonviolence offers an accessible scholarly introduction to the Jain tradition. Drawing on his background in German Indology, Krüger 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 Krüger’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

Author Information

Patrick Felix Krüger 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 Zürich’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).

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