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( 20 ) INTRODUCTION
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We are told that "The Jains possess and sedulously guard extensive Libraries full of valuable literary material as yet very imper. fectly explored, and their books are specially rich in historical and semi-historical matters. ', * It is true to a word, though the science and inethods have advanced far lavishly by now, but to our regret the conditions with the Jain Literature have turned out to be no better at all even in this 20th Century. The existiny Jain Libraries of even a single province have not been fully explored yet: then what to think of a systeinetic publication of sacred Jain Canons ! Even today we cannot hope for a uniform publication of the whole canonical col. lections. We have had a ray of hope in the sincere & sucred efforts, in this connection of memorable late Kumar Devendra Prasada Jain of Arrah. But to our unfathomable sorrow he kicked away his bucket of life quite untimely and with him the 'ray' disappeared. The atmosphere of Jain Literature in one way again plunged in quite dark oblivion. There was no projection or improvement seen in this direction after him, and it was little hoped that the Jain Literature would get again such enthusiustic champions as he was whose efforts might bear sacred fruits for the upheaval of Jainism, and we might get Jain authorititive books in all languages --gpecially in English and Hindi- in the near future. But the rosy tine dawned and we have the occasion to hear a hopeful sound raised for the sacred cause from the far suth. It was welcomed all amongst the Jains. Consequently Mr. C. S. Mallinath, the new chain pion, has been successful in establishing "The Devendra Printing & Publishing Co., Madras", for bringing out the Jain sacred books on the same lines as sacred books of the East. We only wait now for its ripe fruits. Along with this, another inore enthusiastio cha in pion for the selfsame cause has appeared in the self of Mr. BIHARI LAL Jain (Chaitanya) of Bulandshahr, Assistant Master, Govt High School, Barabanki , who was working hard single banded for years in quite seclusion. His untiring zeal & enthusiasm have resulted now in the shape of a comprehensive and exhaustive JAIN ENCYCLOPÆDIA. The first volume of this is now being placed in the hands of general readers. Such a work was need. ed badly. So, to the author is rightly due the credit of the charm and admiration of the work which is the only existing one of its kind.
# Late Sir Vincent A. Smith, M. A., M. R. A. S., F. R. N. 3, 'A Special Appeal to Jains'.
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