Jainism and Ecology

In the struggle to sustain the earth's environment as viable for future generation, environment studies have, thus far, left religion unprobed, in contrast to the emphasis given to science and technology.

Yet, no understanding of the environment is adequate without a grasp of the religious life that constitutes human societies.

As all encompassing, religious ideas not just content with other ideas as equals; they frame the mind set within which all sorts of ideas commingle in a cosmology. Built on the premise that religions of the world maybe instrumental in addressing moral dilemmas created by environmental crisis, this book discusses Jain Cosmology, its Ethics and worldview. The voices included reflect a wide spectrum of approaches.

This book in the S.L. Jain Research Series, intends to expand this discussion, inviting further collaboration on a topic of common concern - the fate of the Earth as a religious responsibility.

CHRISTOPHER KEY CHAPPLE is Professor of Theological Studies and Director of Asian and Pacific Studies at Layola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

He is the author of Karma and Creativity, Nonviolence to Animals, Earth and Self in Asian Traditions, as also editor of several books.