Doctrine of Liberation in Indian Religion

Author(s): Shivkumarmuni
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publisher's Pvt Ltd New Delhi

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as a monk-student wherever I happened to stay during the last five years.
My deepest debt of gratitude, however, goes to Dr L.M. Joshi, M. A., Ph. D., Professor of Religious Studies, and Head of the Guru Gobind Singh Department of Religious Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, who supervised the present work and guided me all along. It was my good fortune and a rare privilege to carry out my reseach work under his careful supervision and guidance. It is because of his illuminating guidance, thought-provoking discussions, constructive criticisms and painstaking corrections that I have been able to present this work in its present form. In fact, words fail to express my gratefulness to him for his personal interest in my academic training. During the last five years he has given to me some of his most valuable time always explaining threadbare, the subtle and complex doctrines and concepts not only of Buddhism which is his speciality, but also and with equal thoroughness, those of Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. He facilitated my studies and researches considerably by placing at my disposal his personal library consisting of rare and valuable book on world religions.
This book emodies substantilly the thesis of the same title approved by the Punjabi University, Patiala, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Religious Studies.
The publication of this work has been possible through Professor Joshi's keen interest in it. At my request he has very kindly edited and carefully revised the entire work, and added a Foreword to it. While I record my profound and grateful thanks to him for his intellectual labours and manifold courtesies. I hold myself responsible for the shortcomings that might still be found in the pages of this book.
Thanks are due to the authorities, of Sri Jainendra Gurukula Panchakula for defraying cost of printing this book. The helpful attitude and enthusiasm displayed in its printing by the Royson Printers of Patiala is also deeply appreciated.
I hope and believe that this book will prove useful to the students of Jainism in particular and to those of Indian religions in general.
Jaina Sthanak, Patiala May 15, 1981
(viii)
MUNI SHIV KUMAR