Glory of Jainism

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

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FOREWORD
hese are a few gems discovered from the ocean of the Jain
literature - the brief life-sketches of those who blazed a trail and invested Jinshasan with a unique glory. The volume comprises 108 sketches and through them one can get a glimpse of the glorious past buried long ago. An attempt is made to resuscitate the past and make one re-live the past and realise the uniqueness of Jinshasan.
The history of Jinshasan has been chronicled systematically and the great historical figures sketched here are part and parcel of the Jain ethos and culture. In them one finds a rare blend of religion and spirituality, courage and impeccable character, and piety and devotion and these co-existing with worldly affairs. These are, therefore, not life-sketches or chronicles of a few lives or sequence of events or documented history but a realistic reflection of devoted, selfless, pious lives led by Sadhus, Sadhvis, Shravaks and Shravikas and others who set an example by their courage, selflessness, nobility and philanthropy.
The carefully selected 108 sketches constitute but a small part of the vast panorama of Jinshasan. It is possible that one may not find the life stories of many other outstanding figures, whose number is legion, in this little volume for which we crave forebearance of our readers. It is but an humble attempt to glean, from the vast ocean, a few gems and proffer them to you. The task to compile a bigger volume, comprising all those who brought glory to Jinshasan, is gargantuan and the project can be taken up later.
India and Jain religion had been subject to numerous invasions in the past. Foreign merceneries and invaders tried to destroy our civilization and values which we all hold dear to our heart. Jinalayas and temples of learning were the convenient targets of the marauders and yet Jinshasan has been able to preserve its entire history in tact. In this history is found the contribution of Jinshasan to fields as diverse as spiritual, intellectual, literary and cultural. In it one finds heights of spirituality achieved through penance, renunciation and restraint, saga of sacrifices made for the defence of the nation or the religion. How noble are these figures, how inspiring are their lives !