Being Jain: Art and Culture of an Indian Religion

Jainism is set to return to the Rietberg Museum in an exhibition that offers a new take on the religion. The exhibition will feature works from the museum's collection and loans from India, including illuminated manuscripts and sculptures that reveal Jain ideas and ideals. It will also explore contemporary practices among the Jain community and their contribution to resolving global challenges such as climate change, consumerism, and social inequality. Visitors are encouraged to engage with new ideas and discussions about good, healthy, and sustainable living.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

After nearly fifty years, Jainism is poised to make a grand return to the Rietberg Museum in an exhibition that presents a fresh perspective on the religion. The comprehensive catalogue will feature a diverse array of artworks, both from the museum's own collection and on loan from India. These include lavishly illuminated manuscripts and imposing sculptures that vividly depict the evolution of Jain ideas and ideals over countless centuries.

Furthermore, the catalogue delves into the contemporary practices of this relatively small but economically influential religious community, scattered across the globe but largely unknown outside India. It explores the unique contribution that Jainism's living tradition, with its rich and varied history, can make to address the pressing global challenges of our time: climate change, rampant consumerism, ethnic and religious intolerance, and social inequality.

To enhance the exhibition experience, the catalogue will be accompanied by masterpieces of Jain art and short films that showcase the various practices and beliefs of the Jain community. Additionally, engaging discussions with Jains from diverse walks of life, including religious leaders and laypersons actively involved in business, culture, and politics, will provide valuable insights into the distinctive lifestyle fostered by Jainism.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in this captivating journey of exploration and reflection, as they engage with new ideas, contemplate their own beliefs, and participate in thought-provoking discussions about what constitutes a good, healthy, and sustainable life. The Rietberg Museum is committed to fostering intellectual discourse and promoting understanding between different cultures and religions, and this exhibition is a testament to its commitment to promoting dialogue and enlightenment.

Weight: 682g
Dimension: 271 x 211 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775753500