Guest guest Posted May 28, 2004 Report Share Posted May 28, 2004 Book Review: The Journey Inward On the footsteps of Jinas -- Essays on practicing Jainism in the contemporary world By Dr. Veerendra P. Shah 62pp. Mumbai: Sambhav Surabhi. Rs 120 By Dharnidhar Bhat Jainism, one of the hoariest of living spiritual traditions in the world, is also among the least understood ones. While the spectacular material success of its adherents has ensured the commissioning of grand temples, places of retreat, and spacious auditoriums, very little of its great scriptural wealth is available in simple accessible English. Shah's slim volume is a personal record of his experiences as a practicing Jain. While, Jainism shares beliefs such as karma, reincarnation, and the triumvirate of the three essential qualities - sattva, rajas and tamas which combine to make the human animal, with Vedism, and Buddhism all sharing a common Hindu heritage, it includes views that are all its own. Jainism, for instance does not believe in a creator God or recognize the centrality of the Vedas. Shah's first brush with the supernatural was the oozing of a red liquid from his palms for three days, which a Jain acharya attributed to the third Thirthankara, Sambhavanath and to the possibility that the celestial Yaksha at service of the lord being three headed. The book is simply written and does not weigh the reader down with arcane philosophical jargon. It is a simple declaration of personal faith that has developed from strength to strength in the light of experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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