Contents: Foreword; Introduction; The Meaning of Life; The Antiquity of Jainism; History; The Origins of Jainism and the First Tirthankara--Risabhadeva; The Later Tirthankaras; Vardhamana Mahavira; The Jain Sangha, Monks and Nuns, Yatis and Bhattarakas; Prominent Aacaaryas; Royal Patronage; Popular Support; Decline and Revival; The Schisms; Jain Migration Abroad; Jains in the Twentieth Century; Teachings of Mahavira; The Path of Purification; Jain Ethics; Ahimsaa, Aparigraha, Anekaantavaada; Austerities; Jain Yoga and Meditation; The Jain Community; The Fourfold Order; Monks and Nuns, and their Daily Duties; Laypeople and their Daily Duties; Jain Society as Depicted in the Narrative Literature; Jain Society in the Contemporary World; The Future -- Jains and Jainism; Popular Jainism; Regular Practices and Rituals; Svetambara Rituals; Penitential Retreat; Digambara Rituals and Rituals of Other Sects; Social Rituals; Jain Sacred Days and Festivals; Jainism in the Modern World; Human Attitudes and Jain Ethics; Animal Welfare; Environmental Concerns; Vegetarianism; Jain Food Habits; Current Trends and Conclusions; The Current State of Jainism; Index.