Early Asceticism in India: jvikism and Jainism

jvikism was once ranked one of the most important religions in India between the 4th and 2nd centuries BCE, after Buddhism, Brahmanism and before Jainism, but is now a forgotten Indian religion. However, Jainism has remained an integral part of the religious landscape of South Asia, despite the common beginnings shared with jvikism.

By rediscovering, reconstructing, and examining the jvikism doctrine, its art, origins and development, this book provides new insight into jvikism, and discusses how this information enables us to better understand its impact on Jainism and its role in the development of Indian religion and philosophy. This book explains how, why and when Jainism developed its strikingly unique logic and epistemology and what historical and doctrinal factors prompted the ideas which later led to the formulation of the doctrine of multiplexity of reality (aneknta-vda). It also provides answers to difficult passages of Buddhist Smañña-phala-sutta that baffled both Buddhist commentators and modern researchers.

Offering clearer perspectives on the origins of Jainism the book will be an invaluable contribution to Jaina Studies, Asian Religion and Religious History.