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Foreword - Shri Shri Ashtapad - Past, Present and Future
Kumarpal Desai
A rare & respectable research journey to locate Ashtapad (lost) Tirth on the basis of old scriptures and with the help of newer scientific methods
The research into Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth has become an incredible history for the last twelve years. It's an incredible research work carried out on such a prehistoric subject. The idea of this research originated from a small incident, but with the passage of time the seed of this research grew into a huge fruitful tree. For this a lot of literature has been collected on Shri Ashtapad Tirth and compiled in XX different volumes. One Granth containing selected material from scriptures has already been published and this is the second Granth on it containing research material which is in your hands. A huge effort has been made to collect all the material from ancient manuscripts as well as from today's literature. To make an easy job for all researchers this material was compiled in two DVDs. Dr. Lata Bothra a scholar, has written a book "Ashtapad Yatra" on it.
In order to dig out the information from Tibetan literature Dr. Thomas Parmar went to Dharamshala and carried out a survey in all Tibetan libraries. Further three field trips have been organized in the Kailash area to look for Ashtapad. Archaeological and Satellite studies have been conducted to get some concrete evidences. All efforts have been made to locate this lost Tirth. Such a wonderful research work from all aspects has never been carried out ever before. So let's have a glimpse of this research done during the last twelve years.
Five main Tirth
Each religion has its own places of pilgrimage, similarly there are numerous places of Jain pilgrimage but five of them are the most important ones and hence are known as Maha Tirth and one of them is Ashtapad.
Out of these five Tirth, Sametshikhar is in Bihar in North India (presently in Jharkhand state). This is not the Nirvana bhoomi of one or two but twenty Tirthankar so it has its specific importance among the Jains. The other three i.e. Abu, Girnar and Shetrunjay are in Gujarat. The Delvada temples at Mt. Abu are famous all over world as a marvelous piece of art and architecture since the 11th century. Girnar is famous since the time of Mahabharat. It is the Nirvanbhumi of Bhagwan Neminath. Among these four mountains, Abu is on the highest peak. And lastly Shetrunjay- which is the greatest of all Tirth. Out of these five Maha Tirth only Ashtapad, presently does not exist which we are trying to locate.
Nirvan Kalyanak
The Jain scripture has singled out five central events (known as Pancha Kalyanak) that occur in a Tirthankar's life time as the most auspicious moments. First is Chayavan Kalyanak, second is Janma Kalyanak and third is Diksha Kalyanak. After very deep contemplation and meditation, the Tirthankar attains omniscience, Kevalgyan Kalyanak, -the fourth life-changing event. The last event is Nirvana Kalyanak, where the soul gets free from all karmic bonds and is liberated
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