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n the west. Nevertheless, the Jainas should ponderover this remark and try o improve their image in the west.
This abridged summery of these articles leads us to take care. The following points to encourage familiarity, studies and research on Digambara (ainism in the west : 1. There is high density of ignorence about Digambara Jainism in the west. 2. The reasons are
(i) Non-availibility of proper Digambara literature in English. (ii) Non-participation of Digambara scholars in related academic conferences
abroad because of financial difficulties. 3. Almost all the scriptural texts of Svetambaras has been translated in
English and other foreign languages, and have reached the western scholars. Unfortunately, none of the pro-canonical Digambara texts like Sat-khanda-gama, Kasaya-pähuda, Mulācāra, Bhagavati Aradhana still remain untranslated (of course, Kundakunda texts are exception). It is stated, it took about 100 years to get the first two books from the matha translation and publication. Does it mean that the Digambara community will have the same inertia in this century ? Once, I requested a Digambara Jainācārya to initiate this project for global promotion of Jainism along with a model book published from Jaina Visva Bharati, Ladnun. But it seems he showed the same mentality which has been stated by a western scholar that the Digambaras developed the concept of the loss of Mahaviran canons lest the people may not read their works! Of course, this is not correct, but it is a sleep satire. In view of all this, I would suggest the Digambara institutions and Jaina philanthropists to initiate the translation project, and try to make this available to the west as early as possible. This author is doing his best to send available literature there (upto the tune of Rs. Three lacs) and trying to translate
Dhavala, Rajavārtika etc. without any encouragement from any corner. 4. It is also necessary that Digambara scholars should be sent in related
international conferences who could present different aspects of Digambara Jainism. Currently, many Digambara monks have encouraged many multi-dimensional and multi-crore projects which are under comments from the intelligentia, However, they may be requested to initiate the above project also in view of the global promotion of Digambara Jainism. In Suetambara
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Arhat Vacana, 15 (3), 2003 Jain Education International
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