Jainism is a religion which appeals to the eye at first sight. Visitors to places the Ranakpur or Shravanabelagola will verify this observation. Paradoxically, Jainism is at the same time one of the least known religions in 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. If Mahatma Gandhi should be named the greatest politician of the 20th century, which seems likely, the still little known name of the third great son of India, namely Mahavira, should be added to the names of Gautama Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. Mahavira (=great hero) is the elder of the three. A world without wars is not yet a world without violence. This obvious fact needs to be seen and admitted. What is being preached to the people in the western democracies was and still is: make peace, no war! This falls too short. What is needed now is to propagate both peace and ahimsa (non-violence). That guarded ‘treasure’ mentioned above is the knowledge of how the daily practice of non-violence can be learned and perpetuated. Adherence to the principle of non-violence, as devised by Mahavira, has not only motivated kings and generals to voluntarily atone for their committed acts of force, but at the same time led to the creation of great works of art. This remarkable achievement in the history of the world’s religions makes a guided pilgrimage to the religion of non-violence, as outlined in this first Pictorial Guide to Jainism an enjoyable venture–and be it only an imaginary journey at first.
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