Jainism: History and Teachings by Dr. Navinchandra Mehta

In his book, Dr. Navin Mehta begins with the pre-history of Jainism—before the first Tirthankara, Rishabhnath—acknowledging the challenges of drawing conclusions from limited or indirect evidence. He critically examines the vast time cycles in Jain cosmology, emphasizing their logical progression (1–6 and 6–1) as more rational than the repetitive Vedic model. Challenging the belief that the 14 Purvas are lost, Dr. Mehta argues that their teachings still persist and explores them in depth, along with the 24 Tirthankaras of both past and current cycles. He outlines the teachings of Mahavir Swami and both major Jain sects, then examines Jainism’s historical decline, its interactions with other religions, and the adaptive power of Anekantvad (Multiplicity of Viewpoint). He also explores the evolution of temple worship and prayer practices, and closes by summarizing historical and contemporary conflicts within Jainism and between Jainism and other religions, offering a broad yet critical perspective on the past, present, and potential future of Jainism.