Jainism - A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence

by Kurt Titze

Jainism is a religion which appeals to the eye at first sight. Visitors to places like Ranakpur or Shravanabelagola will verify this observation. Paradoxically, Jainism is at the same time one of the least known religions of the world. With this opening sentence on page one, Kurt Titze invites the reader, after acquainting him or her with the main tenets of the world's classical religion of non-violence to join him on a fascinating pilgrimage.

The past glories of India have been and still are a favourite subject in books and films. In this book with its 350 illustrations, spread over 280 pages Kurt Titze enfolds a sequence of glories which have been kept alive to the present day preserved intact by men and women who like dragons guard a great treasure.

The aim of this book is to entice the reader to ask his way to spots and sites that are not mentioned in tourist guide books, to the Digambara Meru Temple, in Old Delhi, for example, or to the Veerayatan Ashram on the outskirts of Rajgir run by Jaina nuns, or to the rock cut twenty four Tirthankaras near Gingee in Tamilnadu, that an increasing number of people who pick up this book may do so instead of climbing the ramparts of yet another fort or of gazing at yet another collection of horrifying weapons.

Kurt Titze invites the reader, after acquainting him or her with the main tenets of the world's classical religion of non-violence, to join him on a fascinating pilgrimage. The past glories of India have been and still are a favourite subject in books and films. In this book with its 350 illustrations spread over 280 pages, Kurt titze enfolds a sequence of glories which have been kept alive to the present-day.

The aim of this book is to entice the reader to ask his way to spots and sites that are not mentioned in tourist guide books. To the Digambara Meru temple in Old Delhi, for example, or to the Veerayatan Ashram on the outskirts of Rajgir run by Jaina nuns, or to the rock-cut twenty-four Tirthankaras near Gingee in Tamilnadu. That an increasing number of people who pick up this book may do so instead of climbing the ramparts of yet another fort or of gazing at yet another collection of horrifying weapons.

About the Author:

Kurt Titza, a German by birth, is an intermediator between scholars who devote their time to the study and translation of ancient manuscripts and the general user of public libraries.

Review:

"Straight forward account of the basic tenets of Jainism, with over 350 illustrations, shrines, pilgrimage. Includes color plates, excellent production."