Book Title: Bhagavana Mahavira Hindi English Jain Shabdakosha
Author(s): Chandanamati Mata
Publisher: Digambar Jain Trilok Shodh Sansthan
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My opinion about Jain Dictionary
Thousands of the scriptures are being published daily in the world, but due to the language problem all people can not read them. For un ing all such scriptures, anly dictionary Is a prominent source. Various dictio naries have been published in various languages of the world and with their help different languages and subjects are understood & clarified easily
Jain religion is the most ancient religion in the world, but, presently the population of Jain devotees in the world is at minority level. Then also, in last 2500 years after Lord Mahavir, writing of thousands of Jain trea. tises could be possible in many Indian languages like Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannad, Marathi, Gujarati etc but in the most popular language English, the number of published Jain scriptures is quite minimum. As a matter of fact, the writing of Jain treatises in English has been observed only in the preceding century.
In the attempt of spreading Jain literature worldwide, publication of English Jain dictionaries began since last 10-15 years. In the same series, Pragyashramni Arvika Shri Chandnamat Mataji, the able disciple of supreme Jain Sadhvi Ganini Premukh Shri Gyanmali Matasi, desired to compile a Hindl-English Jain dictionary and for that she took blessings of Pujya Gyanmati Mataji.
The process of dictionary-compilation started gradually. Dr. Anupam Jain (Indore) was entrusted with the responsibility of providing assistance in the work after selecting the team of efficient & devoted persons. Firstly collection of the Hindl words with their description from the Jain scriptures and thereafter their English translation, was really a tough task to perform. But because of the firm determination, this difficult task could reach at its final shape.
Names of all the devoted members, who applied their full effort for it. have been mentioned in this dictionary. But Arvika Shri Chandanamati Mataji worked hard beyond her capability and for that she was continuously getting power from the blessings of Ganini Gyanmati Matajl.
Tam fully confident that the publication of Jain scriptures in English language will become easy in future and such scriptures will be available to the society in great number.
My hearty wish is that this Lord Mahavir Hindi-English Jain Dictionary may get high respect & unanimous validity throughout the world and by understanding the substantial theme of Jainism, the principle of Non-violence may be established all around, Kundalpur (Nalanda)
Kshullak Motisagar 14-7-2004
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