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Preface
I am pleased to present this updated Version V.4.0 of collection of papers / articles / essays termed as 'Study Notes' and prepared under the auspices of The International School for Jain Studies. The distinguished scholars, who are the experts in their field of activity, are the faculty members of the school during the last six years have contributed to these notes. This version has several improvements over the previous version in the form of:
• Editing for language, format, diacritical marks, sequencing • Addition of seven new papers to version V.3.0
Deletion of five old papers from V.3.0. • Update papers for references and details. The entire academic program of the school is designed to give a comprehensive experience of all aspects of religion, philosophy-cosmology-metaphysics-psychology and ethics along with papers on Jain history, culture, preceptors, and evolution of different sects, rituals, art and paintings, pilgrimages and their importance. Based on the feedback received from the visiting scholars attending the school since its inception in 2005, this syllabus is being continuously updated. The curriculum designed keeps the needs of learned scholars from countries like USA, Canada, Russia, UK, Europe, Japan, China, Korea, Thailand and Cuba etc. attending the summer school in mind as well as while preparing these notes. References for further research are provided at the end of each paper.
These essays reflect upon the Jain wisdom rather to say the essence of Jain way of life. Jains claim their religion to be eternal with its first ford-maker (trtha kara) Lord din tha and the most recent Lord Mah vra showing the path to attain liberation / salvation. Jain religion had been revived from time to time by a series of 24 ford-makers / omniscient lords.
I hope this collection of essays will succeed in its aim and give the message of Jain spiritual prowess, Jain way of life, its practical approach to non-violence, vegetarianism, international cooperation (parasaparopagraho jv nm), Live and let live to all the living beings (kliste u j vesu day drbh vam) and friendship with all (satveşumaitri).
This note will be incomplete without expressing my heartfelt thanks to the authors and faculty members of the school who have on a voluntary basis taken the time to prepare and present these papers. I thank Mr. Sushil Jana, Ms. Chanchal Jain at ISJS India and authors of the new papers for their untiring work in incorporating changes and making it available in its present form. Lastly, I thank you, the visiting scholars from overseas to the school, as you are the sole aim for which these papers are compiled. Kindly do provide your valuable suggestions to make these papers worth your and future attending scholar's time.
Shugan Chand Jain
New Delhi April 17th 2011
