Book Reviews
By Unexhibited
Summary
1. Absent Lord: Ascetics and Kings in Jain Ritual Culture by Lawrence A. Babb i) Explores the “ritual theatre” of Mūrtipūjak Jains in Jaipur and Ahmedabad. ii) Highlights the existential tension in worshipping the Tirthankaras—liberated beings who are absent from the world. iii) Discusses how lay Jains engage in rituals not to gain divine favor but as ascetic self-purification and karma-shedding. iv) Contrasts two ritual models: Tirthankaras: Non-present beings symbolizing ultimate renunciation. Dādāgurus: Historical ascetics who are believed to respond to worship and provide worldly help, thus resembling Hindu deities but within a distinctly Jain framework. 2. Open Boundaries: Jain Communities and Cultures in Indian History edited by John E. Cort i) A collection of essays emphasizing that Jain identity is formed in dialogue with broader South Asian cultures, not in isolation. ii) Counters the reductive view of Jainism as marginal or derivative of Hinduism. iii) Topics span philosophy, gender, ritual, art, politics, etc. iv) Celebrates the methodological diversity and interdisciplinary richness in modern Jain studies. 3. Jaina Philosophy and Religion by Monk Nyayavijayaji (trans. Nagin J. Shah) A comprehensive six-chapter work on Jain philosophy covering: i) The soul and karma, Liberation paths, Karma theory, Jain logic (syādvāda, saptabhaṅgī), Ethical conduct. ii) Strong emphasis on mokṣa, ahimsā, karma, and spiritual practice rooted in ancient Jain texts. 4. Ācārāṅga: Restoration of Śrutaskandha Chapter One edited by Dr. K.R. Chandra i) Focuses on textual restoration of the first canonical Jain text using Prakrit philology. ii) Discusses linguistic reconstruction of Ardhamāgadhī based on manuscript evidence. iii) Valuable for scholars of phonology, morphology, and orthography in Prakrit studies.
Conclusion
The document presents a vivid scholarly portrait of contemporary Jain studies—one that challenges outdated views of Jainism as insular or derivative. It highlights how Jain communities have actively engaged with their social and cultural surroundings while retaining distinct ideological foundations such as asceticism, non-violence, and karma theory. The books reviewed reflect a mature, multi-disciplinary approach that enriches both Jain and broader South Asian historiography.