Introduction to Jainism
Jainism: The Basics
These sites offer quick summaries on Jainism and the basic principles.
Jain Super sites
These are sites with a large number of articles and books compiled using extensive efforts.
Jain Calendar is complex. The following link offers a great guide to Jain calendar and festivals.
Jainism for Children
The following web sites for children are fun and exciting:
http://www.jainworld.com/literature/dictionary/alphaframe.htm – Jain Alphabet
http://www.jainworld.com/shortstories/ssindex.htm – Jain Stories
http://www.jainworld.com/teachers/child3.asp – Variety of Jain teaching material
http://www.jainworld.com/education.htm – Guide to teaching Jain School/Pathshala
http://www.jainstudy.org/MoralSt-WhyReligion-1.01.htm – Jain Stories
There are numerous books on Jainism. Some are available here for free download:
Texts: Some excellent sources for scholarly books and articles are here:
http://www.sendai-ct.ac.jp/~ousaka/1109F/Win95down.html/ (original texts)
The following links guide you to hundreds of Jain temples and pilgrimages (Tirthsthans).
http://www.jainsamaj.org/ – Along with excellent information about several temples, this web site offers biographical information about Jain priests, and a matrimonial database.
The following web sites have many of the Jain mantras, sutras, and prayers. These prayers are in Hindi with English translation. The meanings of these sacred prayers are also given.
www.jainpujŠ.com – Excellent site for online streaming pujŠ with temple graphics
http://www.jainworld.com/bhs/bhsmeang.htm – Bhaktamar Sutra
http://www.cs.colostate.edu/%7Emalaiya/j/divo.html – Aarti and Mangal Dipa
http://www.atmasiddhi.com/book.html – Atma Siddhi
http://www.terapanth.com/popular_mantra.htm – A collection of mantras
Audio: Jain Sutras and Lectures
These web sites provide hundreds of lectures and sutras in audio format.
On-Line Groups - Publications
The following web sites are links to the popular magazines and back issues.
If you are interested in discussing Jainism, the following web sites are for you. Many engaging and interesting discussions, all about Jainism, happen here.
Would you like to be more involved in Jainism? Along with visiting your local Jain Centers, you can also join the various Jain organizations in your area.
Federation of Jain Associations in North America
JAINA is the main Jain organization in North America with over 60 Jain centers and 30 subcommittees. JAINAŐs vision is to Live and Share a Jain Way of Life.
Young Jain Professionals
The Young Jain Professionals is a group of people who focus on increasing the awareness and understanding of Jainism amongst the Jain working professionals in North America.
Young Jains of America
This organization is for Young Jains. They hold a convention once every two years.
Young Jains of Singapore
Young Jains UK
Jains in Australia
Intermediate & Special Interest Sites
Books: You can search university libraries, web-based booksellers and some lists:
http://www.jaindharam.org/List of Printed Jain Books in English.htm
Rituals and Symbols: Ritual descriptions and symbolism can be found here:
Images: You can find free clip-art at
Many beautiful images can be seen at
Jain Names: There is even a list of Jain baby names:
Jainism: Jain Principles, Traditions, Practices
This Jain web site has an easy-to-use links section which contains links to several articles and other Jain resources.
Harvard Pluralism Project
One of the most comprehensive resources on world religion including Jainism.
Jain Study Circle
A magazine containing articles, stories, and poems on Jainism and related subjects.
Jainworld is an excellent web site that provides educational information, literature, recipes and a lot more.
Jain Center of Greater Boston
A refreshed web site with links to many resources.
Jain Society of Northern California
A user-friendly web site that provides visitors with several resources.
Essence of Jainism
This web site has a variety of topics covered in terms of Jainism. This web site also offers educational information based on knowledge level.
Has information about Shrimad Rajchandraji and the Atma-Siddhi.
Excellent site to visit for an introduction to Jainism, lyrics, recipes, and ecards.
The following web sites focus on vegetarianism. Note that not all vegetarian recipes are suitable for Jains who have taken higher Vrats (vows).
Vegetarianism & Ahimsa: There are many excellent sites like
Veggies Unite provides information on vegetarianism and includes vegetarian recipes, a discussion board, and many articles may provide valuable information.
Vegetarianism in a Nutshell
Offers details about being a vegetarian, as well as specifics regarding vitamins and simple food substitutions.
Promotes people choosing the vegan food habits, and provides vegans with information about what to eat for meals.
Focuses on vegan products ranging from food, clothing, and vitamins.
This is a PETA site that provides information about health, activist kits and information on animal rights.
The following web sites focus on vegetarianism and delicious vegetarian recipes. Note that not all vegetarian recipes are suitable for Jains who have taken higher Vrats (vows).
Animal Cruelty and Ahimsa
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
PETA is one of the leaders in promoting animal rights. Extensive information is available on this topic.
The American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The ASPCA is another organization that urges the prevention of cruelty to animals. This site offers information about adopting animals as well as pet nutrition and national shelter outreaches.
Ahimsa of Texas
Ahimsa of Texas is an organization promoting kindness to all life, with the primary focus on eliminating the euthanasia of healthy animals in our community shelters and animal pounds.
Ahimsa: The Real Right to Live Movement
This Ahimsa site offers religious perspectives from various other groups.
If you come across other web sites that we should include in the next edition of this book, please send email to firstname.lastname@example.org.