________________ - 5 an independent and ancient system of Indian philosopy which had a bright and glorious past in the history of India. The se scholars have also testified to the fact that Jainism hos a vast and rich literature based on rationalistic facts which has its foundations on the subtle study and observations of the Cosmic order and the substances governing the world. To substantiate this sublime truth, I have included: an Appendix to this treatise containing the valuable views of scholars of international repute. Jainism has a wonderful system of logic called 'Syadvad! or 'Anekantavad' for revealing the sublime ultimate reality or truth. This wonderful system of logic is considered very helpful for developing universal love and brotherhood for among mankind and also to establish peace and harmony for making human life happy and prosperous. Many a distinguished schola r has hailed 'Syadvad! as a right approach for peace, an unifying and compromising system to effect reconciliation in disputes arising from misunderstanding, misapprehension and ignorance of the ultimate truth. To make my points more clear, I would like to submit a few more facts in support of my above statements about Jainism. Lord Mahavira is not the found er of Jainism, but he was the last of the twenty four Thirthankaras or Omnicient Teachers of the Avasarpini cyole, the descending era in which the Dharma or rightesousness will reach its lowest ebb and in the end, a state of chaos and confussion will reign supreme on the earth. Thirthankara Rishabhadeva was the first among the twenty four Thirthankaras who lived in the hoary past
