________________
Muni in pursuit of science through
Jain treatise RANDOM NOTES
By Tushar Bhatt (Senior Editor, The Times of India,
Ahmedabad Edition) In the spacious first floor hall at the Ambawadi Jain Upashraya, silence ruled. A few monks here and there, disciples of Acharya Suryodayasurji, were seated on the floor, in front of small, reclining writing desks. There were only a couple of devotees around, whispering in order not to jar the peace. Outside, there was a steady drizzle and the afternoon was dragging on at a drowsy pace, as if reluctant to make way for the evening. The monks seemed totally oblivious to the somnolence that the weather was casting on worldly mortals.
Dressed in the mandatory white cloth of a Jain monk, Muni Nandighoshavijayji was absorbed in writing. Several ruled, foolscap pages, filled with neat handwriting lay around. Next to him stood a rack filled with books for reference.
He was making notes on a subject that many might think unlikely topics
preoccupy celestial minds of monks : mathematics and pure physics, Einstein's theories, quantum leap. This is in addition to the routine chores of a monk.
If Tao of Physics can be acceptable, it is, perhaps, perfectly in order for a monk to undertake a reverse examination of science. Learning has been a time-honoured tradition among the Jain monks, as would be testified by the works done over centuries. Even today, new entrants to the order under any Acharya spend years, studying Sanskrit, Prakrit and Agams and other divine literature. Acharya Suryodayasurji himself has done a lot of work in researching and writing in these areas.
But the 42-year-Nandighoshavijayji has charted almost a new course for nearly a decade-and-a-half now, exploring pure science and examining its compatability with what has been observed, and remained buried to the common eye, in the Jain scriptures.
The Muni, with a frail body, topped by a head with receding hairline, face covered with deliberatey uncared for beard that sprouts many grey strands, has a winsome smile, sparkling eyes and a scientific temper. He
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
