JAIN teachings is practised in north-eastern India for over 5,000 years. Today, these teachings give us a set of principles that guide the lives of around ten million Jains worldwide. One of the pillars of Jainism is the concept of non-violence (ahimsa).
Practising non-violence has led Jain community to lean towards business and trade than agriculture (they think that tilling a field may kill many insects) and livestock. Since Independence, renowned Jainists have contributed to the development of India. The Jain community manages several philanthropic organizations promoting cultural and educational activities. The Jain philosophy that encourages sustainable business is developed from the ancient spiritual understanding gained from Jain canonical books. These writings serve as a handy reference for Jains in India and elsewhere to craft their professional and personal life. The Jain community's professional accomplishment is based on mutual dependency and collaboration.
The book edited by Shugan C. Jain, Prakash C. Jain and Malay R. Patel is a compilation of eleven chapters highlighting commercial philosophy, history and various aspects of Jain business ethics and their engagements. The editors have peppered the book with appealing anecdotes and personal accounts. To gauge the current inclination of Jains towards business a chapter on Sample Survey on Jain business leaders is included.
Jainism is a safe way to introduce ideals into a company strategy without jeopardizing revenue. Dharma, according to Jain religion, is a universal norm or cosmic order. But only those who have attained enlightenment may fully appreciate dharma's presence in their life. Mahavira, who lived roughly 2,500 years ago, was the last to be enlightened. Without understanding one can simply express one's opinion on the dharma, but not its whole. This constraint applies to anekanta (multi-sidedness). Every living being perceives dharma differently and hence each living being's perspective should be respected.
The Jain doctrines stress aparigraha (non-possessiveness). Pompousness and self-pride earned via worldly riches are incompatible with Jain teachings. As a result, aparigraha advises philanthropy. As per narration in the book, although Jains form less than 1 per cent of India's population, their contribution to charity is far more than that of their equivalent demographics. Business students, as well as business professionals in general, might benefit from learning about aparigraha philosophy, which holds that assets are only means to a goal rather than an end.
This book is a valuable addition to the current body of knowledge in business literature. It may be useful for business managers to reflect on the thoughts presented in this book. The editors have attempted to uncover the cultural factors that contribute to the Jain entrepreneurial skills and success which are not often taught in business schools. In my opinion, the book is an excellent read and it gives an overview of running a business enterprise from the standpoint of a Jain believer.
SINCE its establishment in 2005, the International School for Jain Studies (ISJS) has been actively engaged in researching, studying and teaching the Jain philosophy, religion and other aspects of Jain studies. ISJS conducted eleven one-day international seminars on social awareness in Jainism, which were followed by numerous two-day/three-day seminars on the antiquity of Jainism, santhara/sallekhana, determinism in Jainism, and the relevance of Jainism in maintaining social harmony in society. It has also published a number of books on these and other aspects of the Jain religion and community. Furthermore, its summer and winter schools are aimed at providing experiential knowledge of Jainism to international graduate and postgraduate students and researchers.
As part of its research projects, ISJS had earlier completed first one on Jainism and Gandhi, which was followed by another on Jain business entrepreneurs and their enterprises. It is a well-known fact that Jains have been successful businessmen since ancient times and their business success is often attributed to the key Jain values of ahimsa, aparigraha and Anekantavada. By and large the Jain merchants and traders have also been considered as honest people, strongly suggesting that economic behaviours are effectively influenced by their religious sentiments and virtues. It is precisely this theme that this book attempts to explore.
My professional international background in information technology, business family background and my post-retirement involvement in Jain studies not only provided me with a better understanding of the Jains as a business community but also prompted me to undertake this study.
Hindu (931)
Agriculture (122)
Ancient (1098)
Archaeology (775)
Architecture (564)
Art & Culture (919)
Biography (719)
Buddhist (545)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (569)
Islam (244)
Jainism (316)
Literary (888)
Mahatma Gandhi (378)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Visual Search
Manage Wishlist