________________
PREFACE
Being a Jain by birth, I had accepted and practiced Jainism under my parent's guidance and family traditions. Later on, as a part of my intellectual pursuit to understand the world and life' philosophically, Jainism in general and Jain Theism in particular was my main research area. This pursuit has been still going on with a wider enquiry into philosophical issues. During the period 1984 and 2007, a number of papers were written on different philosophical topics and were presented in seminars and conferences. This book, 'Gems of Jainism' is a collection of some of the papers exclusively reflecting the Jaina religion and its philosophy and thought.
Neither I wish to establish the superiority of Jainism nor I wish to under estimate the other systems of Indian Philosophy. Being myself, a jain house holder, knowingly or unknowingly through my thoughts, language or arguments, if I have hurt anybody's feelings please forgive me.
This book does not cover or clarifies all that Jainism is. It can't. Jainism and Jain literature, its scriptures, principles and content is immensely vast. During the last two decades, a number of articles were written on Jainism and were read in seminars or conferences, even some talks - lectures were also delivered. This book is a collection of some of the selected articles, each one reflecting an important philosophic aspect of Jaina philosophy and thought. These articles - research papers are all not written at a point of time.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
