Being Jain: Art and Culture of an Indian Religion

A visual primer on the art and culture of the Jains, and their legacy today

Strict nonviolence, the renunciation of possessions and universal tolerance are the guiding principles of Jainism--a religious community that is found around the world but is little known outside India. Combining masterpieces of Jain art from the collection of the Museum Rietberg, richly illustrated essays and interviews with Jains from Europe, the US and India, Being Jain: Art and Culture of an Indian Religion provides impressive insights into the unique lifestyle and ethical values cultivated by Jainism over many centuries.
The catalog investigates how the living tradition of contemporary Jainism can deal with the fundamental challenges the world faces today: climate change, rampant consumerism, ethnic and religious intolerance and social inequality. A board game inside the book encourages readers to reflect on their own ethical lives while engaging their sense of play.