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SCOPE OF RESEARCH IN JAIN STUDIES
(Dr. Jagdishchandra Jain)
A man by nature has been a seeker, an inquirer, designed to turn around an axle passed through the an investigator, an examiner and a scrutiniser. This is centre. Its turning around produces force that provides the background of research, inquiry, investigation, energy, movement or direction. We have a spinning inquest, exploration, trial and analysis. The Vedic Aryans wheel, a water wheel and so on. It takes us to a potter's were mystified to see the natural phenomena around wheel, a device composed of a revolving, treadleoperated them and started their query : What are these stars horizontal disk upon which potter's clay is modelled for and planets in the sky ? How this earth and sky are making pottery. This was a very useful substantial joined togther ? How these variegated cows by eating research in the life of a primitive man for which he had green grass supply us white milk? How this vast to apply his brain. Take another instance; we come! universe came into being? From existence? Or from across electric machines, an atom bomb, a furnace and non-existence ? It was a period of original research. so on. We try to think deeper and reach the root of In European countries much emphasis is laid on
such performances. We find that the fire-cult played an research. In universities and Research Institutes
important role in the life, of the ancient Indians. As the numerous scientists and research scholars are occupied
fix was a necessity for life, they used to generate it with in carrying out their research work. In Germany, for
the primitive manner of fire-drill. It consists of two frictioninstance, full six years or twelve semesters are assigned
sticks (arani) of which the one is a small board the for Fundamental Research. In carrying out a research
others a pointed stick which is turned round in the small project, first of all, we have to speculate and ponder
board until a flame comes out. This fire-producing over the problem, i.e. what is the problem we are going
implement is still popular among the tribal people. When to handle. This stage of speculation has nothing to do
the fire was generated the ancient Indians used to shout much with the proper subject of research. Further, we
with joy while reciting hymns in praise of the fire. This have to pass through various stage in course of our
was anohter useful research in the life of a human being. research work. First, there is observation, we contemplate A researcher has to be pitilessly just to truth and and take cognizance of the subject. It is called darsana not consider anything of value except truth. He develops or perception in Indian philosophy. Then comes the an objective attitude in place of the subjective one, study of the problem, i.e. what is our problem which we pertaining to an individual element in one's own are going to study and what are the main issues which experience. He has to accept hard and straight thinking we are going to discuss and the puzzling questions which and avoid soft or emotional or sensational thinking. A need a solution. After going deep into the problem true research must prove logically derived conclusions comes the stage of intellectual thinking. This is a long and not defend at all costs pious wishes and pleasing process of research which continues from beginning till imaginings He should try to announce what is true, end. This process is essential for the constant never mind whether it pleases or irritates. Haribhadrasuri, development of the research is not difficult, nor a prominent Jain scholar has stated: "The reasoning of complicated but very easy, simple and at the same time a man of obstinate inclination follows his intellect, pracical. We go to buy vegetables in the
whereas the intellect of the one who does market. We visit certain shops, inquire
not side with partiality follows his reasoning." about the price, examine the stuff and
आग्रहीबत निनीषति युक्तिं, तत्र, यत्र मतिरस्ष्य ultimately pay the price and purchase it. It
निविष्टा । पक्षपातरहितस्पतु युक्ति, यत्रि, तत्र मतिरेति was a part of our research but the whole
ACT | Foreign scholars, particularly the process was so quick that we could not
Germany, have made a substantial differentiate the various stage we have
contribution towards Jainism and Prakrit passed through. We come across
studies. The readers might be aware that aeroplanes, motor-cars, bullock-carts and
about a century ago from now. F.M. other moving vehicles. Here we observe a
Maxmuller (1823-1900), a professor of wheel a solid rigid circular ring connected
Dr. Jagdishchandra
Comparative Religion in the Oxford by spokes to a centre part of a wheel. It is
Jain
University, was a General Editor of the
SHRIMAD JAYANTSENSURI ABHINANDAN GRANTH/ENGLISH SECTION
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सभी स्वयं का भुगतते, उदित शुभा शुभ कर्म । जयन्तसेन टले नहीं, बिन भुगते दुष्कर्म ।।
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________________ Sacred Books of the East Series (S.B.E.), comprising 40 volumes, out of which 31 contained the translation of important Indian texts. Maxmueller was invited to deliver a series of cambridge lactures in England to young English men who were recruited for the Indian Civil Service and had to work in India in the British administrative service. These young men, ignorant of Indian culture, did not like Indians and called them natives as an indication of disrespect. Native is a man who is considered as not amenable to the recognised principles of self-respect, uprightness and veracity'. Professor Maxmueller, in order to emphasise the richness of Indian culture, delivered these lectures, which later were published under the Title" India What It can Teach Us." He exhorted these young men saying: "If I were to search the world to find out the country most richly endowed with all the wealth, power and beauty that nature can betsow-in some parts a very paradise on the earth 1 should point out to India." Soon the interest developed in Germany about the study of Indian studies and as a result the chairs of Indology were established in Bonn, Tuebingen, Gottingen, Muenschen and Hambrug. Hermann Jocobi (1850-1973), a pupil of A. Weber (1825-1901), was a distinguished German scholar and a pioneer in the field of Jain and Prakrit studies, who for the first time established that Jainism was not only an independent of Buddhism but even older. He was only 23 when he made a trip to India in search of Jain manuscripts. Subsequently he translated some of the important Jain Sutras under XXII and XLV volumes in the Sacred Books of the East Serie's. His another monumental work was "Ausgewaehlte Erzaehlungen in Maharashtri" (Selected Stories in Maharashtri) which was published in 1886. The important work on Prakrit studies was dedicated by him to his revered, guru Weber. Jacobi was conferred an honorary title of 'Jain Darshan Divakar (The Sun of Jain Learning) in a Jain Conference held at Ahmedabad. In order to satisfy his queries about his studies he had a correspondence with Muni Shri VijayaDharmasuri. Jacobi gained so much popularity in his own country that his Bronze Placket, designed by an Italian artist, was hung with pride in the houses of scholars of Indology. This memorable Placket is still preserved in the Departmennt of Indology of the Universiity of Kiel where he had worked as a professor. Richard Pischel (1849-1908) had specialised in Prakrit Studies. He wrote his monumental work matik der Prakrit-Sprachen" (Grammar of Prakrit Languages) in 1874. As much of the Prakrit literature was not available in print, Pischel had to work hard in reading the hand written manuscripts. This work has been translated into English and Hindi. Pischel also wroked in the university of Kiel for a number of years. He was invited to deliver a series of lectures on Prakrit grammar and literature in the calcutta University. He had already reached Madras but unfortunately he developed ear trouble and died. Among other Jain scholars of genius, mention may be made of E. Leumann (1859-1931), W. Schubring, Johannes Hertel, Helmuth von Glasenapp, L. Alsdorf, K. Bruhn et al. Some of them could not get an opportunity to visit India, the land of their dream, still they devoted themselves to the study of Indology and left their mark in the world of scholars. During the tenure in the University of Kiel in 197074, as a research scholar and a teacher, the present author got an opportunity to meet some of them and observe their methodology of research. Generally they carry their research work independently without any team as such. They are provided with all kinds of research facilities and an upto date library; most of them have their own library too. Alsdorf, who recently died, was a distinguised scholar of Jainism. After the death of his guru Schubring, he occupied the Chair of Indology in the university of Hamburg. He visited India several times when he made an extensive tour of important places, including Jaisalmer, Patan, Ahmedabad, Kolhapur, Belur et al. He came into contact with Muni Shri Punyavijaya Maharaj, a renowened scholar of Jain Agamas. He presented Alsdorf a copy of the Vasudevahindi by Sanghadasagani Vacaka, published in 1930-31. Alsdorf was so much fascinated by this work that he read a scholarly paper entitled' 'Eine neue Version der Verlorenen Brhatkatha des Gunadhya' (A New Version of the Lost Brhatkatha of Gunadhya) in the International Oriental Congress held in Rome in 1938. Later on the present author wrote his work titled "The Vasudevahindi--An Authentic Jain Version of the Brhatkatha' during his tenure in the university of Kiel, which has been published by the L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad in 1977. There is a vast scope of research in Jain Studies and Prakrit. We have to work hard to point out under what conditions and situations the universal principle of Ahimsa was made a grit of the teachings of Mahavira and how can this principle successfully be implemented to maintain peace and harmony in this world heading towards confrontation. SHRIMAD JAYANTSENSURI ABHINANDAN GRANTH/ENGLISH SECTION 7 रंक राय के भेद को, कर्म करत संसार / OPETT he fase, HGT af urtavljainelibrary.org