Book Review – The Doctrine of the Jainas

Summary

This review examines the reprint of Walther Schubring’s “The Doctrine of the Jainas,” an English translation of his seminal German work “Die Lehre der Jainas.” The book, first translated into English in 1962 and reissued in 1978 by Motilal Banarsidass, provides a comprehensive introduction to Jaina philosophy and practice. Schubring, a German Indologist, assembled textual and archaeological evidence to present the core doctrines of Jainism to Western readers. He explains concepts such as jīva and ajīva (soul and non‑soul), karma, the cosmology of upper, middle and lower worlds, and the path of liberation through right faith, knowledge and conduct. The translation by Wolfgang Beurlen retains Schubring’s clear exposition of the differences between Śvetāmbara and Digambara canon and their respective commentaries. The reviewer remarks that although the reprint reproduces the first edition without new material, its availability is timely because Jain studies are growing and students need access to reliable introductions. The book remains valuable for its balanced presentation and its inclusion of excerpts from primary sources. The reviewer suggests that an appendix summarising subsequent Jaina research would have enhanced the new edition but nevertheless welcomes the reprint. He notes that Schubring’s work stimulated further study, inspiring translations of Jaina texts and comparisons with Buddhist and Vedic philosophies. The book has thus served both as a primer for newcomers and as a reference for scholars. The review underscores that Schubring combined philological skill with an appreciation for Jaina ethics, conveying the ideals of non‑violence and renunciation. His analysis of karmic bondage and the gradations of spiritual progress continues to inform modern scholarship. The reissue by a leading Indian publisher ensures that the book remains accessible to students and libraries across Asia. The review concludes that while the reprint could have been updated, its enduring value lies in making a classic work widely available.