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PREFACE
I have always been fascinated by the deeply ascetic outlook towards life and the world which is reflected in the ancient religious texts of Jainism and Buddhism. The subjects of meditation or the themes of soteriological reflection in Jinist and Buddhist scriptures illustrate this ascetic outlook of munis and śramaņas. This outlook stands in sharp contrast with the this-worldly attitude of Vedic brāhmaṇas.
An attempt has been made in the first two chapters of this slender volume to discuss the meaning and function of twelve anuprekşās. The third chapter seeks to elucidate philosophical, ethical and devotional aspects of the Jaina doctrine of the holy pentad (pañcaparameșthin).
I follow a combined methodology which includes elements of historical, philosophical and philological approaches employed in a comparative perspective. The stress throughout is on the elucidation of religious phenomena and methodological tools are not allowed to overwhelm the centrality of the elements of human religiousness.
The following pages contain the text of a series of three lectures on Jainism which I delivered on February 25-27, 1981, at the L. D. Institute of Indology in Ahmedabad. I am thankful to Dr Nagin J. Shah, the Director of the L. D. Institute, for inviting me to deliver these lectures and for arranging their early publication. The Royson Printers of Patiala deserve praise for executing the work of printing so well.
Guru Gobind Singh Bhavan Punjabi University Patiala-147002
L. M. JOSHI Professor of Religious Studies Head of the Guru Gobind Singh Department of Religious Studies, and Dean, Faculty of
Religious Studies and Humanities
16 May, 1981
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