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Karmayogi H.H. Charukeerty Swamiji SHRAVANABELAGOLA.
Sri Jain Math, Shravanabelagola-573 135. KARNATAKA (INDIA).
16.07.1992
PREFACE Umaswami the author of Tattvarthasutra may rightly be regarded a Philosopher par-excellence, whose teachings constitute a bright beacon for the guidance of human soul, to supreme fulfillment. His monumental work Tattvartha Sutra, is a compendium of the basic doctrines of Jainism, Umaswami was a great disciple of the great Acharya Kundkunda. The sage Umaswami knew quite well that the cream of any religion is compassion and therefore, he understood the whole world with a compassinate and universal heart. Thus, Tattvarth Sutra is a guiding light for many.
Umaswami devoted himself to inner culture and to the pursuit of truth, enjoying communion with the enlightened Tirthankaras" of the past, following their foot-prints. Thus, his work is the outcome of his constant meditation, contemplation and concentration about the mystries of the universe.
The significance of this Philosphical treatise is that all Sacred books of the East are attributed to an author in a peculiar way but this treatise is one man's work. It is not a revealed text like the Vedas, nor is it the work of God like the Christian Bible, nor it is the divine measage heard by Mohammed, the Prophet of Islam on Mount Hira, nor does it adopt the technique of the dialogue of the Upanishads, nor the dialetical method adopted by the Greek Philosopher Plato. Its field of action is the world and its existence as it is. The search for truth is not one way traffic. It is many sided. So there is no one path to truth. Following blindly, according to pleasure of temparament, does not emancipate
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