Gender and Salvation: Jaina Debates on the Spiritual Liberation of Women - Hardcover
Is a total renunciation of clothing a prerequisite to attaining salvation? In Gender and Salvation, P. S. Jaini brings to light heretofore untranslated texts centering on a centuries-old debate between the two principal Jaina sects, the Digambaras and the Svetambaras. At the core of the debate is the question: should gender-based differences of biology and life experience condition or limit an individual's ability to accomplish the ultimate religious goal?
For the Digambaras, the example of total nudity set by Mahavira (599-527 B.C.), the central spiritual figure of Jainism, mandates an identical practice for all who aspire to the highest levels of religious attainment. For the Svetambaras, the renunciation necessary occurs purely on an internal level and is neither affected nor confirmed by the absence of clothes. Both sects agree, however, that nudity is not permitted for women under any circumstances. The Digambaras, therefore, believe that a woman cannot attain salvation, while the Svetambaras believe they can. Through their analysis of this dilemma, the Jaina thinkers whose texts are translated here demonstrate a level of insight into the material and spiritual constraints on women that transcends the particular question of salvation and relates directly to current debates on the effects of gender in our own society.
For the Digambaras, the example of total nudity set by Mahavira (599-527 B.C.), the central spiritual figure of Jainism, mandates an identical practice for all who aspire to the highest levels of religious attainment. For the Svetambaras, the renunciation necessary occurs purely on an internal level and is neither affected nor confirmed by the absence of clothes. Both sects agree, however, that nudity is not permitted for women under any circumstances. The Digambaras, therefore, believe that a woman cannot attain salvation, while the Svetambaras believe they can. Through their analysis of this dilemma, the Jaina thinkers whose texts are translated here demonstrate a level of insight into the material and spiritual constraints on women that transcends the particular question of salvation and relates directly to current debates on the effects of gender in our own society.
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About the Author:
Padmanabh S. Jaini is Professor of Buddist Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
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- PublisherUniversity of California Press
- Publication date1991
- ISBN 10 0520068203
- ISBN 13 9780520068209
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages250
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Gender and Salvation: Jaina Debates on the Spiritual Liberation of Women
Published by
University of California Press
(1991)
ISBN 10: 0520068203
ISBN 13: 9780520068209
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Hardcover
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Book Description Hard cover. Condition: Very good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very good. Jacket edges are slightly worn. Spine is tight. Cover is worn, especially along edges. Front free end paper is lightly stained, but readability is not impacted. Inside is clean and unmarked. Seller Inventory # 1142644
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