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Foreword
This Compendium is a 'systematic treatise on Jainism. Even a glance at the tities of the Chapters gives an idea of the vast range of topics discussed by the learned author in this work.
Jainism is an ancient religion. When the Jaina studies were in their infancy, there were many misconcepts about its antiquity etc., but now they are all being cleared with the advance of studies carried ou by Indian and Eastern scholars. The holy dignitaries like Vrşabha, Pārsva, Mahavira, whose biographies are succinctly sketched here, have enriched the cultural wealth of this land. The post-Mahāvira career of Jainism, especially its spread to the South and subsequent schisms are a fascinating chapter in the religious history of India. The Jaina concepts of divinity and worship, of the Universe and its constituents, of the sentient world and its elaborate details etc., deserve the special attention of a student of comparative religion.
That Karma is a subtle variety of matter affecting one's spiritual destiny by its association with the Atma operates automatically and functions as an irresistible moral law which leaves no scope for any divine intervention in the affairs of all living beings. Every one must reap the fruits of his own thoughts, words and deeds. The fundamental principles like the Tattvas or Padārthas and the stages of spiritual progress (Guņasthānas) fully work out the relation batween the Ātman and the Karman in details. The liberation of the Ātman from the clutches of Karman depends upon the cultivation of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct working in Unison
Jainism is rightly called Ethical Realism; and it has laid great stress on good conduct, One for the layman and the other for the ascetic. The former is less rigorous than the latter. The ascetic observes the Mahāvşatas ideally; he lives a spiritual life, devoted to meditation and absolute possessionlessness (aparigraha). One
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