The Jains (Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices)

By Paul Dundas

Book Overview

This volume contains the edited versions of papers presented at the IUTAM-Symposium Topological design optimization of structures, machines and materials - status and perspectives, held at Rungstedgaard, near Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2005. The Symposium was attended by scientists in mechanics, optics, and applied mathematics from 19 countries. It is now more than 15 years ago that the so-called homogenization method was proposed as a basis for computational means to optimize the topology and shape of continuum structures. From initially being capable mainly of treating minimum compliance design we now see the basic material distribution idea of the methodology applied to a wide range of structural and mechanical problems as well as to problems that couple structural response to other physical responses. Also, the method has provided insight for micro-mechanical studies, meaning that the method has given feedback to the area which provided impetus to the field of topological design optimization in its creation. Finally, topological design is now an integral part of most FEM software systems and it has become a standard industrial tool in some fields. The IUTAM Symposium provided a forum for the exchange of ideas for future developments in the area of topological design optimization. This encompassed the application to fluid-solid interaction problems, acoustics problems, and to problems in biomechanics, as well as to other multiphysics problems. New basic modelling paradigms, covering new geometry modelling such as level-set methods and topological derivatives, as well as developments in computational approaches were also focus areas.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415051843
• ISBN13: 9780415051842
• Release Date: September 1992
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 2.0" x 8.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Excellent but not Easy

Paul Dundas has produced some serious and valuable scholarship on Jainism. Academics wishing a deeper appreciation and understanding of Jainism than most introductions can give will like Dundas' work. Beginners will find it hard to digest. Dundas has successfully and critically presented a broad account of Jain beliefs and history. The strength of the book -- its thoroughness and density --also may be a deterrent to the new reader. The Jains, a small religious group believing in an immortal soul, are indigenous to India, and affirm many of the ideas of their Hindu counterparts, but are critical of other Hindu doctrines. Jains do not have a traditional place for "God" or "Gods", but do for the omniscient Fordmakers. Dundas work in portraying the Jains will have lasting value.

A fine text on Jainism

The author does a very thorough job introducing the reader to Jainism, its history, its sacred days, its customs and its sects. Indian language vocabulary is also well-explained (mostly Sanskrit). The one thing grossly lacking in this book is citation of scripture. As I recall, there may be a sentence or two of Jain scripture in the entire book. It has long been my belief that the best way to learn about the beliefs of any religion is through its own source text(s). The author does state that there is no definitive canon of Jain scripture, but the book could have been made about 25% larger through some reasonable scriptural selection, or, alternatively, 25% of the existing content could have been cut to provide the reader some feel for Jain scripture. This is the only negative critcism that I have to offer. Aside from this one criticism, this is an excellent book and I recommend it highly.

Difficult but thorough read

This book gets really detailed, and it's hard to keep track of some of the histories and nuances in philosophy. Nonetheless, my mother was amazed at how completely the author covered Jainism, and I'm learning alot myself (we're both Jain).