Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02

SR No.: 007665
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune
Publication Year: 2013
Total Pages: 170
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

Page 12

The third part of the paper is valuable to get the crux of the matter exactly. The summary given at the end of the discussion is useful to understand the favorable points at a glance. The theory of Gunasthāna is designated as ethico-religio-spiritual evolution. From the empirical direction there is a scope for change by adaption in all the bio-forms. The unbiased and impartial conclusion runs like this - "The spirituality of Jainaism is not at all a hindrance for the serial progress or regress in the bio-species of the universe."
Two reference-books and Wikipedia Website used to understand the Darwinian theory of evolution. Sufficient citations from original Jaina texts are given in the list of references.
(15) Revealing the Scientific Nature of the Jaina Concept 'Sammūrcchana'
This paper was presented by Dr. Anita Bothara in the above-mentioned conference at Jasol, Rajasthan in Oct. 2012. The conference was specially arranged to highlight the scientific nature of Jainaism. It seems that sufficient scientific data was studied by the scholar of the present paper by referring the topics viz. (i) Asexual Reproduction, (ii) Hermaphrodite and (iii) Cloning.
In the introductory part of the paper, classification of living organisms and specially types of birth according to Jainaism are noted down in nutshell which is utterly necessary to understand the concept of 'Sammürcchana'. The words 'sammūrochima jīvas' are translated as 'agglutinated beings'. A lot of details about these organisms are given from the original texts of Jainas. The common points between agglutinated birth' and 'asexual reproduction are pointed out.
Agglutination in plant-kingdom is very much revealing from the Botanical point of view. In the next two points, Zoological views are mentioned in connection with the two-three and four-sensed organisms. The concept of Sammūrcchima Manusyas is explained from the viewpoint of Pathology. Enough discussion is found in the paper about the grafting and tissue-culture in plant-kingdom with reference to the Jaina concept 'agglutination'. About cloning, it is said that, “In toto, agglutinated human beings are born asexually from sexually-born human beings under natural circumstances. Same thing done artificially in laboratories is nothing but cloning."
It is noteworthy that a sincere attempt has been made in this paper to bring out all the implications of the Jaina concept 'Sammūrcchima' but the scholar is aware that it is surely farfetched to claim that the descriptions of Jaina texts are hundred percent scientific.
The above-mentioned summary of the papers will help the reader to understand the sum and substance of each paper in nutshell.
The General Norms and Methodology Followed in the Papers
In all the research papers prepared under the H.N.Jaina Chair whether written in English, Hindi or Marathi a common methodology and particular norms are strictly followed. They can be enumerated likewise :
1] 714
fuel felela - Nothing has been written which is not enrooted in the original
framework of Jainaism.