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PUBLISHER'S NOTE
Anekānta Sodha-Pitha, the Research Division of Jain Vishva Bharati, has been publishing critically edited texts of the Jaina Agamas and comparative studies in Jainism in the form of monographs. It has already published scholarly works like Aspects of Jaina Monasticism, New Dimensions in Jaina Logic, etc
The present publication is the English rendering of the Jainasiddhānta-dipika of Ācārya Sri Tulsi, by the late Prof. Dr. Satkari Mookerjee who was a very eminent scholar not only of Jainism but also of Buddhism and Hinduism in their different ramifications. Dr. Mookerjee was a great devotee and admirer of Ācārya Tulsi As early as 1949, giving a vivid picture of what he saw and felt about Terapantha Order and its Head, His Holiness Acārya Tulsi, he observed, "It was a revelation to me that such a mighty spiritual power was let loose in a corner of Rajasthan which, I hope and believe, will one day overwhelm the whole of India and therefrom the rest of the world in course of time.”
This translation entitled Illuminator of Jaina Tenets was completed by Dr. Mookerjee long ago. But as the original Sanskrit text was revised to contain the modern studies in Jainism, and a new edition was published in the mean time, the task of recasting the English translation and notes was assigned to Dr. N. Tatia and Muni Mahendrakumar. We are, however, happy that the book is being published on the occasion of Amsta Mahotsava, marking the completion of 50 years of Ācārya Tulsi's pontificate dedicated to the well-being of mankind.
The logical explanations and the manner in which the subjectmatter has been critically expounded deserve careful attention of the readers. The strenuous task of presenting the Jaina biological tenets in such a comprehensive and scientific way will inspire scholars for further investigations in the field of the Sciences of Life.
I am thankful to the editors for their onerous task in providing new material in their Notes. I am sure, this treatise will prove to be a very useful research guide for the beginners as well as advanced research students of Jainism. The Contents and the Indexes have no doubt enhanced its utility, and the Introduction will, I am sure, provide new matter that would provoke further thinking in the modern scientiac studies.
I should also thank Shri R.S. Soni, Research Officer, for going through the proofs which too was no doubt an arduous work."
Ladnun, 22nd Sept., 1985,
-Shreechand Bengani Secretary, Jain Vishva Bharati
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