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Flügel, Peter (2005) 'The Invention of Jainism: A Short History of Jaina Studies.' International Journal of Jaina Studies, 11. pp. 1-19.

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Alternative Location: http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs

Abstract

The article provides a short summary of the institutional history of the new field of 'Jain Studies' in its historical and political context. It shows that the Sanskrit term 'Jaina' used as a self-designation (rather than as the designation of a doctrine or in the sense of 'pertaining to the Jina') is based on the vernacular precursor 'Jain' which became prevalent from the early modern period onwards - most likely as an internalised observer category. The words 'Jain' and 'Jainism' became widely used only in the context of 19th communal movements in colonian India. At the same time the Jain scriptures were published to back the identity claims of the Jaina law movement and modern 'Jainism' as a disembodied text-based set of idea-ologies or dogmas from which one can pick and chose was born.

Item Type: Journal Article
Additional Information: With permission of the Society for Jaina Studies in Kyoto, the article has also been published in the International Journal of Jaina Studies Vol. 1 2005, http://www.soas.ac.uk/ijjs
Keywords: Jain Studies, Jaina, Jains, Jainism, History of Religions
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > School of History, Religions & Philosophies > Department of Religions & Philosophies
Legacy Departments > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Department of the Study of Religions > Centre of Jaina Studies
Legacy Departments > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Department of the Study of Religions
ISSN: 17481074
Date Deposited: 08 May 2006
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/98

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