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

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Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals
Publisher's Note
"Biology in Treatise on Reals" is the English translation of the second chapter of Tattvārtha-Rājavārtika,an exhaustive explanatory by Bhatta Akalanka (720-780 AD) on the first Samskṛta Jaina aphorismic sacred text Tattavartha Sūtra of Umāsvāmi (-ti) of 3 cent. AD. describing the Jaina tenets in systematic way. This chapter deals with the concepts about the first of the postulated seven reals- the living being which forms the base of this worldly life and also of the goal of salvation. It deals with twelve major issues related with the living being. It defines the living beings and classifies them on various bases like senses, mind, karmic mobileness etc. It also deals with trans-migratory motion, birth, birthplace, bodies, gender, volitions and death of the living beings. These contents are not only historically important but they still hold good to a large extent. The current science has only supplemented most of them.
In the days of global promotion of Jaina system, it is necessary to translate the original and commentary texts in English. Advancing the efforts of many other 20th century scholors, Dr. N. L. Jain has not only translated the original text in question-answer type as far as possible, but he has also presented its critical evaluation on the basis of other commentaries available and current scientific facts related with different topics. He has worked on this project under History of Science division of INSA, New Delhi, and the book is being published with their permission. We are thankful to both, the Academy and Dr. N. L. Jain.
We are vary thankful to Shri Digambara Jaina Samaj, Chennai, India for sponsoring and entrusting this work to us as a joint publication.
We are also thankful to Dr. N. L. Jain who produced such a nice and timely work. We have published his books on 'Scientific Contents in Prakṛta Canons' and 'Jaina Karmology' earlier, which have been well recieved by the scholarly world. We hope this work will also the welcomed by the scholars and researchers of Jainology here and abroad.
We are very thankful to Dr. Sagarmal Jain, Director Emeritus and Dr. S. P. Pandey, Administrative Officer of Pārsvanath Vidyāpīṭhā for their commendable decision to publish this work. We are also thankful to Dr. Vijaya Kumar Jain for seeing it through the press. Our thanks are also due to Smart Processings, Rewa and Vardhaman Mudranalaya, Varanasi for beautiful composing and excellent printing.
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B.N. Jain Secretary, Pārsvanath Vidyapitha