The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society - Scholarly

In this review of The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society, the editors Michael Carrithers and Caroline Humphrey assemble anthropological essays that explain why a small religious community has had outsized influence in India. Scholars, advanced students and readers interested in South Asian religion will find the book's sociological focus and fieldwork insights the single biggest reason to buy, because it reframes questions of identity and community beyond caste and class. The review highlights how careful ethnography and theoretical discussion make this volume a useful reference for research and teaching.

Key Features

• Sociological focus: The collection foregrounds the sociology of the Jains, offering a focused lens on community and religious affiliation that complements broader South Asian studies.
• Ethnographic fieldwork: Recent fieldwork featured in the essays supplies concrete, locality-based examples that illuminate everyday Jain practices and social organization.
• Themes across contexts: Chapters examine topics from Jain ideals and identity to popular Jainism and reform movements, showing the diversity within the tradition.
• Gender perspectives: The book includes sustained attention to women in the Jain community, adding important nuance to discussions of gender and religion.
• Transnational outlook: Coverage of Jain identity in the UK highlights diaspora and reform issues that matter for comparative studies.
• Theoretical contribution: The essays collectively challenge the dominance of caste and class paradigms by offering community as a central category for analysis.

Who It's For

This volume is best for academic readers: anthropologists, sociologists, historians of religion and graduate students who need a focused study on Jain community dynamics and identity. Instructors seeking readings that pair ethnography with theoretical discussion will also find chapters that work well as seminar texts.

Readers looking for an introductory or popular history of Jainism, or a comprehensive doctrinal overview, should look elsewhere; the book assumes some familiarity with social science approaches and prioritizes sociological and ethnographic analysis over broad religious exposition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a clear sociological framing that helps reorient debates about community versus caste and class in Indian studies.
• Strong ethnographic material gives readers concrete examples rather than only theory.
• Includes discussion of women and diaspora, expanding the scope beyond local practices.

Cons

• The book is scholarly and assumes background knowledge, so it may be dense for general readers.
• Because it is a collected volume, coverage varies by chapter and some topics receive more depth than others.

Specifications

Title	The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society
Editors	Michael Carrithers, Caroline Humphrey
Subject	Sociology and anthropology of Jainism
Key topics	Jain ideals, identity, women, popular Jainism, reform, diaspora
Approach	Ethnographic fieldwork and theoretical analysis
Intended audience	Scholars, graduate students, researchers

Our Verdict

The Assembly of Listeners is a valuable scholarly collection that reframes Jain studies through a sociological and ethnographic lens; it is recommended for academics and advanced students who need a focused, research-driven account of how religious community operates in India and the diaspora, offering strong value as a reference for teaching and further research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for undergraduate courses?
Yes, it can serve as a reading for upper-level undergraduates in anthropology or South Asian studies, though instructor guidance is helpful because of its scholarly tone.

Does the book cover Jainism outside India?
Yes, it includes material on Jain identity in the UK and discusses aspects of reform and diaspora experience.

Will I find doctrinal summaries of Jain beliefs?
The book emphasizes sociology and ethnography rather than comprehensive doctrinal overviews, so readers seeking theology-focused summaries may need supplementary texts.