Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals

SR No.: 001656
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 210
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Biology
File Size: 13 MB

Page 10

Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals
Prologue
The Buddhist texts like Mahāvamsa mention that Jaina temples and monk-houses existed as far as Srilanka even in the fourth century B.C. indicating the fact that the undivided Nirgrantha religion reached South India and Tamil country through the Nirgrantha Cārana monks of Bengal and Orissa of pre-Mauryan period. The earliest Tamil literature of pre-Christian and early post-Christian era-Tholkappium, Thirukkural, and Silappadikāram are said to be composed by Jaina authors. The presence of Jaina temples and sanctions of grants to them in areas of early Cola, Pandya and Cera indicate popularity of Jainism in south (specially Kāñci, Madura, etc.). It remained so even in the days of Yuan Chwang of seventh century AD up to the period of Mahendravarman-I. Dr. Chatterjee feels that Jainism spread in Karnataka through Tamil and Andhra area. Its influence began declining in this area due to Saivism and regal persecution of the Jainas. However, inscriptions and epigraphs indicate that some rulers still offered grants for Jaina temples and monasteries even in sixteenth century. Thus, the torch of Jainism has been continuously burning in Tamil country and now we have a number of temples, pilgrimmage places, research institutions and university departments through the thriving business of the community in all parts of south. The government has also been liberal in promoting the Jaina cause.
The promotion of Jainology through royal patronage and literature has been an important aspect in this area. Many Jaina scholarly saints including Kundakunda are mentioned in inscriptions of different periods. Since the British period, the scholars turned to produce/translate Jaina literature in English. Prof. A. Cakravarti (1880-1960) translated Kundakunda's works along with many other original books and essays. Prof. S. A. Jain translated Sarvärthasiddhi commentary on TS in late fiftics. Dr. A. N. Upadhye followed suit. Dr. Padmarajaiya worked for Ph.D. in Oxford in U.K. A good amount of research work on Jainology is also being done by southern scholars. Of course, it is not only the scholars of south, but also the scholars of north participated in globalising Jaina literature through English. Shri J. L. Jaini, C. R. Jain, Br. Shital Prasadji, Kamta Prasad Jain, A. P. Jain, Dr. Jyoti Prakash Jain and others have done good work in translating many primary Jaina texts of Prākrta and writing many original books and pamphlets. It is in this literary tradition of south and north that Dr. N. L. Jain, a noted scholar with 10 books, 120 papers and many journeys abroad to his credit, has also thought of active participation. He has blessings from many noted Jaina monks in his objective. That is why, he has translated Dhavală part-1 and Rājavārtika chapter 2, 5 and 8 which are gradually being published by institutions like P.C. Shastri Foundation and Pārsvanātha Vidyāpītha. The Digambar Jaina Samaj, Chennai is pleased to encourage the efforts of Dr. N.L. Jain by sponsoring the publication of this