Page Text
________________
૫૮૨
?1-x2r74 Bzes.
AAAAAAA
AVANA
3. We Jains are proud of the part taken by our noble ancestors in the formation of that ancient civilization, and their contribution to it; and we are proud more particularly of the glorious and undying heritage which they have left us in the voluminous literature which testifies at once to the versatile genius, the prolific activities and the profound learning of our ancient ancestors.
4. It is a matter of great satisfaction to us that in this the twentieth century, with the rapid strides in education and the exploration of so many relics of antiquity, our community has begun to understand and appreciate the value of the rich literary legacy which has survived to them from ancient times, and that there is a definite tendency to bring about a revival among us of the study of our noble litera with its deep learning and philosophical disquisition that lend a charm and interest to the student of ancient history and the lover of speculative thought:
.5. To you, Sir, our community is indebted a great deal for infusing into its educats members a real impetus in this direction, and we shall be doing sheer jnstice to you when we say that you have awakened in the hêarts of our young men à noble spirit which has incited them to bring about a renaissance of our classical literature and learning.
6. Your authoritative versions and critical comments and introductions which have been published in the Sacred Books of the East series, with reference to our revered Sootras, and the numerous other publications, both in the English and German languages, and particularly yourscholarly exposition of our literature in general, have helped to place Jainism and Jain learning before the literary and philosophical world of Europe in their true light and perspective and have helped to dispel the vague and hazy notions which once receive currency that Jainism was but a branch of Buddhism, or that the Jain community could hardly be distinguished from the Hindus. You have been the pioneer worker in the field of Jain literature in the West, and your name will be ever remember. ed amongst Jains with foelings of gratitude and reverence.
7. But we owe you a still deeper debt of obligation. Not only have you laid-bare by your own efforts the noble philosophy and learning of our past literature, but by infusing a vivid interest and scholarly proclivities in a band of workers in Europe who all are proud to be yonr disciples and who appear to take the same interest as yourself in our General Literature, and in works on History, Logic, Psycho. logy and other germane branches of thought, you have suc
| SR No. | 536608 |
| Book Title | Jain Shwetambar Conference Herald 1912 12 Pustak 09 Ank 12 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Mohanlal Dalichand Desai |
| Publisher | Jain Shwetambar Conference |
| Publication Year | 1912 |
| Total Pages | 32 |
| Language | Gujarati |
| Classification | Magazine, India_Jain Shwetambar Conference Herald, & India |
| File Size | 3 MB |