At the core of Jainism's teachings is non-violence (ahimsa). In Jainism, non-violence extends to man's relationship with all natural life, a sensitivity being articulated anew in contemporary times by a concern for the environment and animal rights. Truth, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness are the other central teachings of Jainism.

This book covers all important touchstones of Jainism in more than 450 crisp, alphabetical entries spanning:

• The basic teachings of Jainism;

• The life of Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of Jainism, and its best-known and most influential propagator;

• The main sectarian traditions of Jainism, and mendicant and lay practices;

• Important Jain scriptures;

• Influential Jain leaders and scholars;

• Sacred and historic Jain sites;

• Jain prayers and pilgrimages, beliefs, rituals and ceremonies.

KRISTI L. WILEY (B.S., Santa Clara University; M.A. and Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley) is a visiting lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley. She teaches courses on Indian religions and religion and ecology. Her area of specialization in Jainism is karma theory. She has published articles in Approaches to Jaina Studies (ed. N. K. Wagle and Olle Qvarnstrom), Doctrines and Dialogues (ed. Peter Flugel), Essays in Jaina Philosophy and Religion (ed. Piotr Balcerowicz), Jainism and Early Buddhism (ed. Olle Qvarnstrom), Jainism and Ecology (ed. Christopher Key Chapple), and Philosophy East and West. She is a member of the American Academy of Religion and the American Oriental Society.