Jainism- The Creed For All Times

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About the Author Dr. Col. Dalpat Singh Baya, who comes from a devout Jaina family of Udaipur, was initiated into the realm of Jaina studies by his illustrious father Svanamdhanya Shri Ganeshlalji Baya, himself a renowned exponent of Jainism, and devoted to spreading the gospel.

With his inherited dedication to the cause, Dr. Baya took up Jaina studies after his retirement from Military service and did his M.A. in Prakrit and Jainology and Ph.D. subsequently.

An erudite scholar and a prolific writer, Dr. Baya has, to date, authored three English/Bilingual commentaries on Jaffna canonical works like Uttaradhyayna Sutra, Tattvartha Sutra and Ashta Pahuda; ten English translations of rare Prakirnakas and three original works besides a large number of well researched papers published in reputed Research Journals.

His talent has been well recognized and he has been awarded prestigious awards like Ganesh Lalvani award and Late Shri. Pradeep Kumar Rampuria Award for his notable contribution to Jaina literature.

This book, an original contribution of the author, is an outcome of his studious and intensive research for presenting the essential but comprehensive basics of Jainism from the laymen's point of view. With its conceptual clarity, simplicity of expression and lucid style of explanation the book will prove to be highly useful in providing basic understanding of the fundamental tenets of Jainism for the layman as well as the non-Jaina scholars.

The author has successfully tried to encompass almost every aspect and dimension of Jain faith including its history, cosmology, ontology, epistemology, ethics and even mythology. The last section "Practical Jainism" attempts to establish relevance of Jain precepts to the problems faced by our contemporary society and highlights the applied aspect of this universal creed.

Another admirable feature of the work is its attempt to reconcile the beliefs of both Svetambara and Digambara traditions - which is very much noticeable in the section providing the life-sketch of Bhagvana Mahavira.

Foreword `LIVE AND LET LIVE' is the credo of Jainism, the faith preached by omniscient Jinas who founded it on the noble principle of non-violence towards all living-beings. It is this emphasis on non-violence that makes it the 'Creed for All Times'. The eternal principles of this wonderful and eternal creed and the conduct-rules that govern its ethics have been commented upon by various commentators that have left their marks on the sands of time, from time to time according to the demands of their times. However, the need for a good and easily comprehensible book on Jaina precepts and practices, in English language, has been felt for a long time.

I am very happy that Dr. (Colonel) D. S. Baya Sreyas' has answered this call and has presented the eternally relevant Jaina principles in such simple English language that even a layman will have no difficulty in understanding this noble faith. I am sure that not only the Jaina readers but a large number of non-Jaina ones will also benefit from this work.

An authentic life-sketch of Bhagvan Mahavira, that reconciles the beliefs of both the Svetambara and the Digambara traditions, at the very outset, certainly adds a unique dimension to this work that is being published quite close to the 26th liberation-centenary of that noble soul.

The second introductory chapter adds a historical perspective to this faith that was initially propounded by Bhagvan Rsabhadeva who lived aeons ago. Also, it is a praiseworthy effort to introduce Jainism's indicators, its concept of reality, the interrelation between the soul and Karma and to establish that in spite of its lack of belief in the existence of an Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent God, Jainism is a theist faith that believes in the existence of the soul and rebirth after death.

Preface Jainism - the faith propounded by Tirthankaras (the Prophets Propounders of the Jaina faith), call it a creed, a faith or a religion - places a great emphasis on the universally appealing principle of 'LIVE AND LET LIVE' enshrined in its guiding principle of absolute non-violence towards all fine and gross living-beings of the universe.

Though Jainism, as the very name suggests, is the creed or the set of beliefs propounded by the .Tina or the conqueror of the self by vanquishing the spiritual foes that hinder the soul's progress towards its ultimate goal of spiritual emancipation or liberation from the mundane existence, which is fraught with sorrow and misery. However, it is not a sectarian religion within the confines of its rituals and traditions but a religion of humanity. With its comprehensive perspective and vision of spreading world-wide the culture and practice of non-violence, peace and harmony integrated with the concepts of detachment and lack of dogma, it has a global relevance in the contemporary world.

No claim about the superiority of any creed over the others can be justified. However, all faiths are a reflection of the stage of evolution of the seers who propound their precepts and principles and to that extent it can be said that Jainism, as a creed reveals a high degree of evolution of noble thoughts on the part of its Propounding-Prophets or Tirthankaras and it compares well with other noble creeds such as Buddhism, based on the noble principle of universal compassion, and Christianity that preaches Universal Love.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages