Potpourri of Jainism

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"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."

"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).

Dr. Sulekh Jain, the author of this wonderful book- Potpourri of Jainism, is indeed the best person to write such a great piece of work. From an early age, he had inculcated a firm belief that there is immense beauty in Jain doctrines. His belief remains unchanged as he, a simple village boy, came to the big city of Delhi to learn more about worldly education while retaining his curiosity about Jainism as well. Due to his stature as a small-town boy, his classmates often made fun of him. But that only firmed his beliefs and resolve to excel in education and help as many people as he could. Hence, while completing his education, he also started teaching literacy and arithmetic skills to financially weak people like tongawalas (people driving a light horse-drawn two-wheeled vehicle). This helped him adhere to the core principles of Jain principles: Live and let live and practise Ahimsa rather than getting involved in non-productive extra-curricular activities during his spare time. With all his tremendous efforts and blessings from many people, he not only secured the top position in his class but even claimed a name on the honours list of the Delhi School Board. He proceeded to get engineering degrees from Punjab University and IIT Kharagpur. Thereafter, he married the daughter of the principal of the school that he had attended. Eventually, he shifted to the UK for his PhD. in engineering and later to the USA to work for prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley. Wyman Gordon Company, MIT, and the Aircraft Engine Division of the General Electric Company.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages