Essence Of Jaina Scriptures

Author(s): Jagdish Prasad Jain
Publisher: Kaveri Books

Page 21

PREFACE
XIX
translators could use the same Jaina technical terms as in the original. However, this facility is not available in English. A number of early scholars like J.L. Jaini, A. Chakravarti, and A.N. Upadhye have translated many scriptures, including those authored by Kundakunda. I have been benefited by these translations as well as by the translations of terminology such as J.L. Jaini's Jaina Gem Dictionary, N.L. Jain's Glossary of Jain Terms, and Ramesh Chand Jain's Sudha Sagar: HindiEnglish Jaina Dictionary. However, quite often these translations including those of Pravachanasara, whether in English or Hindi, have been found wanting in one respect or other in properly explaining the true purport or meaning of the subtle concepts. I have, therefore, tried to elaborate the technical terms as far as possible so that the reader may grasp the actual meaning of the term. I have also retained many original terms like jiva, karma, etc. as these are quite common nowadays. Other problems encountered in the English translation of the scriptures pertain to the paucity of scholars proficient in the English language and the subject matter or the lack of financial and/or literary encouragement.
Moreover, the task of a proper understanding of Kundakunda's concepts and ideas is further complicated by the preferences of some biased Shvetambara scholars and the one-sided interpretations of Kundakunda's concepts by the Kanjipanthi writers. Even some Digambara scholars and writers seek to give a certain twist to Kundakunda's ideas in favour of asceticism and external austerities, etc. The proper understanding of this scripture (The Essence of Jaina Scriptures) and the reality of things, Amrtachandra states, requires the right mental perspective and the purified enlightenment, which is free from any bias, preference or prejudice, which is obtained by the practice of conduct and the power of knowledge of the doctrine of syadavada (PS 275 AC and PS Kalash, 20-22).
In my detailed introduction, I have tried to highlight the significant points covered in Pravachanasara giving my own translation wherever necessary in order to present a correct and balanced view of the various issues to the best of my ability without any bias or preference. To that end, I have made full use of existing translations and commentaries in Sanskrit, Hindi and English. I have also drawn heavily on Kundakunda's other works, especially Samayasarā (The Essence of Spirituality, Consciousness and the Transcental Self) together with various