Book Review - Riches and Renunciation: Religion, Economy, and Society among the Jains

Summary

This review summarises James Laidlaw’s book “Riches and Renunciation: Religion, Economy, and Society among the Jains.” The reviewer notes that Laidlaw’s work joins an expanding body of sociological studies on Jainism and that it complements earlier classics by Vilas Sangave and Balwant Nevaskar. Laidlaw conducted fieldwork in Jaipur between 1984 and 1990, living among the Khartar and Tāpa Gaccha households. The book analyses how lay Jains practise ascetic routines, organise identity and relate to their renouncers. Despite forming less than one‑half of one percent of India’s population, Jains have played a disproportionate role in trade, industry and commerce since ancient times; in Jaipur, many Jains are active in the diamond trade. The reviewer observes that lay Jains rarely flaunt their wealth and practise non‑attachment (aparigraha) while still engaging in commerce. Laidlaw’s study explores the tension between riches and renunciation and how ascetic ideals influence lay practices such as vows, fasting and gift‑giving. It also examines how householders relate to monks and the broader Hindu community. The reviewer notes that the book is rich in detail, sympathetic to its subjects and highlights practices like the anuvrat movement that bring asceticism into lay life. Some minor criticisms are mentioned, including typographical errors and inconsistent use of diacritical marks, but overall the reviewer concludes that Laidlaw’s book is an excellent contribution to understanding Jaina ethics and the social lives of lay Jains.