Potpourri of Jainism

"What is ahimsa or non-violence? Is it just the absence of violence or is it something more? Is ahimsa or non-violence even possible in today’s world? How does one interpret the meaning of war from the lens of ahimsa? Or how does one apply this concept to our own life? How can one learn respect and tolerance from the Jain doctrine of anekaanta (non-one-sidedness of views)? How and why should one apply the principle of aparigraha (non-attachment and non-possessiveness) in our life? Can a certain set of Jain values lead us to the path of inner peace?

Can Jainism answer all these questions and some more? According to Dr. Sulekh Jain, the answer is yes.

In the Potpourri of Jainism, Jain elucidates on the application of these values, to common everyday experiences (like how it inspired Dr. Christopher Miller to not kill a lizard after attending a lecture on ahimsa) and to understanding the historically unprecedented events (like how the COVID-19 pandemic can be explained through the Jain concept of paras-prop-graho-jivaanaam or interconnectedness of all life forms on earth).

The book offers practical applications and learnings of the Jain principles from the life of Dr. Sulekh Jain (and many others) over a span of 30 years. Hence, we sincerely hope that it encourages you to discover whether whatever is mentioned is relevant or not by applying these principles to your life."

About the Author: 

"SULEKH JAIN, Ph.D., is a retired engineer from GE Aviation in USA. He has dedicated his post-professional life to the promotion of Jain education in academia to share and educate students about Jainism.

As Chairman of JAINA Academic Liaison Committee ( ALC), Sulekh Jain and his team have raised millions of dollars to promote and fund academic programs in several dozen universities in the United States, Canada, U.K, Belgium, India, Israel, Brazil, Pakistan, and other countries. ALC has promoted academic excellence by encouraging innovative and intellectual research, curriculum, and course offerings focusing on and advancing the teachings of Jainism.

Dr. Sulekh C. Jain lives in Las Vegas and is the co-founder of the International School for Jain Studies, and has also served as President of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA).