{"product_id":"the-assembly-of-listeners-jains-in-society-scholarly","title":"The Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society - Scholarly","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSociological focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The collection foregrounds the sociology of the Jains, offering a focused lens on community and religious affiliation that complements broader South Asian studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic fieldwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Recent fieldwork featured in the essays supplies concrete, locality-based examples that illuminate everyday Jain practices and social organization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThemes across contexts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chapters examine topics from Jain ideals and identity to popular Jainism and reform movements, showing the diversity within the tradition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGender perspectives:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book includes sustained attention to women in the Jain community, adding important nuance to discussions of gender and religion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransnational outlook:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coverage of Jain identity in the UK highlights diaspora and reform issues that matter for comparative studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical contribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e The essays collectively challenge the dominance of caste and class paradigms by offering community as a central category for analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eProvides a clear sociological framing that helps reorient debates about community versus caste and class in Indian studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStrong ethnographic material gives readers concrete examples rather than only theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIncludes discussion of women and diaspora, expanding the scope beyond local practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe book is scholarly and assumes background knowledge, so it may be dense for general readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBecause it is a collected volume, coverage varies by chapter and some topics receive more depth than others.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Assembly of Listeners: Jains in Society\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMichael Carrithers, Caroline Humphrey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSociology and anthropology of Jainism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJain ideals, identity, women, popular Jainism, reform, diaspora\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnographic fieldwork and theoretical analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars, graduate students, researchers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for undergraduate courses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book cover Jainism outside India?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it includes material on Jain identity in the UK and discusses aspects of reform and diaspora experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill I find doctrinal summaries of Jain beliefs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book emphasizes sociology and ethnography rather than comprehensive doctrinal overviews, so readers seeking theology-focused summaries may need supplementary texts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Michael Carrithers, Caroline Humphrey","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48773888901339,"sku":"0521084806","price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/41LsyLatGoL._SL1000.jpg?v=1778764333","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-assembly-of-listeners-jains-in-society-scholarly","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}