Nandanvana

SR No.: 006597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 592
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 281

Jainá Scholarship: Decline or Growth : (261)
The author has stated that in the medieval age, Pt. Āsādhara in 13" century and Pt. Banarasidasa and Pt. Todarmala in 15-16 century composed some literature. (Though Pt. Prabhācandra (later ācārya) was also there in 11' century). While stating the name of Pt. Kailash Chandra Shastri, he has stated that the Pathaśāla trained Digambara Pandits have done creditable work in the last 100 year. However, it could not be credited by the west because it was in Hindi. Moreover, Digambara study has been woefully neglected in comparison to the Svetāmbaras. Nevertheless, the Digambara Pandits have shown a scholarship like the western scholarship without being influenced by the western opinions. They showed the critical and independent thinking. However, there are many questions (like the authorship of Tattvārtha-sútra and Bhaktāmara-stotra), which cannot be properly solved due to sectarianism. With this point in view, the westerners should study Jaina literature seriously as they also face the difficulty of language in many of which it is written. Nevertheless, the west agrees two authorities for the Jains: (1) Sacred canons and (2) Logic. Though the earlier should correspond with logic, but it is the supreme authority.
The author has stated that it is very necessary to enrich intellectualism for maintaining prestige of the Jaina system. The current status of Jainism is based on ancient intellectual literature. He seems to admit that the current Jaina scholarship is not equivalent to earlier saints and as a result he has expressed his intense disappointment at the declining intellectual level of current Jaina scholarship. To improve this state of affairs, he has hoped and suggested to have a full-fledged center in London with independent financial status. While indicating this point, he has praised the scholarship of Muni Jambuvijayaji, Punyavijayaji, and Jinavijayaji along with Pt. Sukhlalji, Bechardasji and Malvaniaji. However, there is not a single name of any equivalent Digambara scholars. It shows the ignorance about Digambara Jainism in the west. However, the Digambaras did have president-award-winner Dr. Kothia, Pt. Phulchandji, Pt. Mahendra Kumarji, Dr. Hiralal Jain, Dr. A.N. Upadhye, Dr. Jyoti Prasadji Jain and Ācārya Jnansagarji in the past and do have Acharya Vidyasagarji, Ganini Jnanamatiji, Aryika Vishudhimatiji, president-award-winner Dr. Rajaram,