________________ An Admirable Integrating Approach The present effort of Dr. (Mrs.) Pritam Singhavi relates to one of the core tenets which, she thinks, is commonly shared by the Jain, Buddhist and Vedic religo-philosophical traditions. It is well-known that the Samyak vision, knowledge and conduct are, according to the Jainas the path to liberation. To achieve Samyak-Sambodhi and become Samma-Sambhuddha is laid down as the highest goal in Buddhism. The Bhagavad-Gita says that Yoga is nothing but Samatva. It characterizes a wise man as one who possesses Sama-drsti. Krsna calls him his dearest devotee who has cultivated samatva between all the pairs of opposites like happiness and misery etc. In the Siddha tradition of late Buddhism becoming samarasa is laid down as the sumum bonum. Dr. Singhvi has equated this samatva and samyaktva, and has tried to show systematically how in all the three great traditions they have been considered the highest goals of thought and practice. Her treatment is quite noteworthy because of her wider perspective and synthesizing approach as against the usual tendency of emphasizing individual specificities. Our great religion traditions have much in common and there has been constant mutual give and take between them in theory and practice exhibiting, as in other cultural areas, unity in diversity, Some simplification is inevitable in this type of efforts, which cannot bother about niceties of various concepts and practices. Her lucid exposition will be found instructive to all who are interested in our religious culture. H.C. Bhayani L. D. Institute of Indology Ahmedabad. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
