Harmless Souls

"Harmless Souls considers doctrinal change and its implication for religious practice in early Jainism. It focuses on evolving views about the conditions necessary for Karmic bondage and the liberation of embodied souls, as described inparts of the early Svetambara canon, Umasvati`s Tattvartha Sutra, and the major works of Kundakunda. It is concluded that, although significant doctrinal changes do take place, these are not permitted to affect Jaina practice which constitutes and preserves the distinctive religious and social identity of the Jaina community. "