Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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CONTRIBUTION OF FOREIGN SCHOLARS IN
JAIN LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY
DR. JITENDRA B SHAH DIRECTOR L.D. INSTITUTE OF INDOLOGY AHMEDABAD
"I tell my countrymen that the principles of the Jain Dharma and the Jain Acharyas are sublime and that the
idea of the Jain dharma are lofty. The jainliterature is superior to the Buddhistic literature. As I continue to study the Jain Dharma and it literature my fascination for them keeps increasing " Johunnes Hurtell (Germany)
This is the statement by a learned scholar from Germany. At number of instances he has whole heartily praised Jain religion literature and Jain principles.In the mid 19th century German scholars turned towards the study of Indian literature. Sir William James first of all studied Sanskrit language and thereafter he translated Kalidas's "Abhigyan Sakuntal" in English. Since then European scholars got inclined towards the study of Indian literature and in turn they got acquainted with Jain literature too. Since then the study and teaching of
Jain religion started in foreign countries and is still continuing. JAIN RELIGION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES :
The earliest evidences regarding spreading and the teaching of jain religion abroad is obtained from Buddhist scriptures. According to Buddhist literature, Buddha religion started in Srilanka in 3cent, B.C., during the time of Mahendra and Sanghmitra, who were son and daughter of the Emperor Ashok. They started Buddha religion over there. References show that Jain religion was there prior to that. If we consider Nepal as a separate nation, then according to Jain scriptures and jain scholars, Nepal is said to be the birthplace of jain tirthankars Shree Neminathswami and Shree Mallinathswami. Evidences show that Bhadrabahuswami had done his Mahapranyoga meditation in Nepal.
A Russian group of scholars named Ducobarsi has noted that a jain saint Manibhadra had visited Ashtrakan, Kasviyansi , Russia, and Soviet union. Jain religion idols, inscriptions, manuscripts, paintings, documents etc. are kept in the museums of Egypt, Babilon, Aleczandria, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, England, America, Denmark
etc countries.So it can be believed that the people over there well knowing at least something about jain religion.
A world religion conference was held in 1892 in Chicago. Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi was there as a representative of jainreligion.He had delivered a very impressive lecture over there. Then he went to America and different countries of Europe and there he spoke to them on Jain religion. As a result people there also came to know about Jain religion.
Jain householders basically being business oriented,were travelling overseas. They were visiting Africa and other countries. As such jain religion was spread over there also. A well
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