Jainism: An Ancient Path of Peace and Ecological Wisdom

Elizabethtown College Professor, Long, to Discuss New Book on Jainism

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Dr. Jeffrey Long, professor of Religious and Asian Studies at Elizabethtown College

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (11/10/2009)(readMedia)-- Dr. Jeffery Long, Associate Professor of Religion and Asian Studies, and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, at Elizabethtown College will discuss his new book, "Jainism: An Introduction," on Tuesday, November 17, at 7:00 PM. The event, which will be held in the Hoover Center for Business, Room 212, is free and open to the public.

Jainism is a mysterious and little understood religion of India, best known for its monks, who wear face-masks to protect insects and micro-organisms from being inhaled. Jainist monks also sweep the ground in front of them to ensure that living creatures are not inadvertently crushed and killed by their progress: a practice of nonviolence so radical and all-consuming, it defies easy comprehension.

Is there anything the Western world can learn from this radical religion? Is there anything we can learn from its practitioners, the Jains, who had a profound influence on the life and thought of Mahatma Gandhi? Long has been studying this intriguing community for the last decade.

Of his new book it was written, "This highly readable book provides an excellent introduction to an ancient and complex tradition that predates the birth of the Buddha. The author skillfully explores Jain doctrines regarding the nature of the soul and the observance of nonviolence, placing Jainism within the context of Hinduism and Buddhism. He also highlights the influence that Jainism had upon the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi. The book corrects misperceptions that have characterized Jain ethics as extreme, and discusses how Jainism is being practiced globally, including in the US heartland."--Christopher Key Chapple, Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

Long is also the author of "Hinduism: A Vision for the Future." A reception and book signing will follow the lecture.

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