Riches and Renunciation: Religion, Economy, and Society Among the Jains (Oxford Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology)

How can one live by impossible ideals and values? The Jains of India are a flourishing and prosperous community, but their religion is focused on the teaching and example of ascetic renouncers, whose austere regime is actually dedicated to ending worldly life and often culminates in a fast to death. This book draws upon a detailed study of an urban Jain community in Jaipur, north-west India, to offer the fullest account yet given of Jain religious belief and practice. It shows how renunciation and asceticism play a central part in the life of a thriving business community, and how world-renunciation combines for Jain families with the pursuit of worldly happiness. The book is in five parts. Part I introduces the vivid mythology and doctrine of Jainism, and the traditions of Jain renouncers. Part II discusses the relations of Jains with other groups in Indian society, the politics of leadership on Jain communities, and the history, character, and composition of the Jain community in Jaipur. This book is intended for anthropologists and sociologists, especially those interested in or working on South Asia or religion; scholars in comparative religious studies; anyone interested in Indian religion or society, including Jains themselves. How Can One Live By Impossible Ideals And Values? The Jains Of India Are A Flourishing And Prosperous Community, But Their Religion Is Focused On The Teaching And Example Of Ascetic Renouncers, Whose Austere Regime Is Actually Dedicated To Ending Worldly Life And Often Culminates In A Fast To Death. This Book Draws Upon A Detailed Study Of An Urban Jain Community In Jaipur, North-west India, To Offer The Fullest Account Yet Given Of Jain Religious Belief And Practice. It Shows How Renunciation And Asceticism Play A Central Part In The Life Of A Thriving Business Community, And How World-renunciation Combines For Jain Families With The Pursuit Of Worldly Happiness. The Book Is In Five Parts. Part I Introduces The Vivid Mythology And Doctrine Of Jainism, And The Traditions Of Jain Renouncers. Part Ii Discusses The Relations Of Jains With Other Groups In Indian Society, The Politics Of Leadership In Jain Communities, And The History, Character, And Composition Of The Jain Community In Jaipur. Part Iii Contains Detailed Analyses Of Lay Ascetic Practices Such As Fasting And Confession, Traditions Of Imagery And Iconography, And Key Religious Ideas, Such As The Paradoxical Doctrine Of 'non-violence' (ahimsa). These Are Shown To Turn On Complex Conceptions Of The Body And Contrasting Moral Topographies Of The Self. Part Iv Concerns Relations Between Lay Jains And Renouncers, And Draws On Recent Writings On Exchange And Value To Analyse The Pivotal Place Of Alms-giving In The Jain Religion. Part V Describes Some Of The Closest Connections Between Riches And Renunciation, And Shows How The Pan-indian Festival Of Diwali Is Adapted To Distinctively Jain Values And Concerns. 1. Introduction -- 2. The Mystery Of The Visible -- 3. Aspects Of Organization -- 4. A Theology Of Interdiction -- 5. Social Dimensions Of Jain Identity -- 6. City, Locality, And Leadership -- 7. The Ascetic Imperative -- 8. Schemes, Regimes, And Religious Retirement -- 9. Acts Which Are Not -- 10. Fasting: Scorched Earth And Fertile Soil -- 11. Embodied Ontologies -- 12. Paryushan: Austerity And Increase In Counterpoint -- 13. The Values And Perils Of Exchange -- 14. The Gift That Doesn't Really Happen -- 15. Magnificent Parsimony -- 16. Family Enterprise And Religious Community -- 17. Diwali: Renunciation Humanized And Riches Redeemed -- 18. Conclusion. James Laidlaw. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [399]-425) And Index. The Jains of India are a flourishing and prosperous community, but their religion is focused on the teaching and example of ascetic renouncers, whose austere regime is actually dedicated to ending worldly life and often culminates in a fast to death. This book, which draws upon a detailed study of Jainism in the city of Jaipur, shows how renunciation and ascetism play a central part in the life of a thriving business community, and how world-renunciation combines for Jain families with the pursuit of worldly happiness. Drawing upon a detailed study of Jainism in the city of Jaipur, India, this study shows how renunciation and asceticism play a central role in the life of a thriving business community, and how world-renunciation combines for Jain families with the pursuit of wordly happiness.