Jain Digest 1990 01 Vol 17 No 01

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 21

JAIN DIGEST welcomes books, periodical magazines HEARD
and souvenir publications for review under HEARD ANY GOOD
ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY ?. Send copies to: Jain Digest, 4665 Moccasin Trail, Mississauga, ON, Canada
L4Z2W5. Tel: (416) 890-3368. DRAVYA SANGRAHA of Saint Nemichandra Siddhantideva of 11th century - edited by Sarat Chandra Chosal with original text and English translation with commentary. This third edition is published by Chandraprabha Jain Chaityalay Trust, 161 Bhuleshwar, Bombay 400002, India. Price Rs. 15.
BOOKS LATELY?
Dravya Sangraha, which comprises of 58 verses, was written by Jain Saint Nemichandra Siddhantideva, who lived in the period of king Bhoj in the 11th C. It is a compendium of all aspects of Jain Religion and philosophy, where Dravya, the substance is the component factor of the universe. This Dravya is further subdivided into Jiva, the living and the Ajiva, the non-living.
The book deals with the doctrine of Jainism and elucidates the gradual stages of the development of soul, from a Nigoda to the 14th gunasthana, Ayogi, the liberated. The commentary by Bramhadeva on Dravya Sangraha provides scientific description of substance in opposition to the extraneous views of Hinduism and Buddhism.
and in
The book is recommended for students of philosophy, comparitive religion particular to people who want to explore Dravya, its interrelation to science.
FOODS OF EARTH TASTES OF HEAVEN, the newest vegetarian cook book, by Pramoda Chitrabhanu is a delightful welcome to the vegetarian world's authentic as well delicious recipes from the East. It is printed and published by Prairie Web Press, 1322-39th street NW, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, USA. Price $10.95.
Pramoda's contribution is timely;refreshing and reinventive to vegetarian lifestyle. The book exoplores exclusive blends of the ancient vegetarian cusine from Gujrat state, which happend to have had royal decree in 1133 AD, under the direction of legendary Jain Saint Acharya Hemchand, against animal killings for food or sport.
Foods of Earth Tastes of Heaven gives an extensive explanations on various dishes, main courses, accessories and the desserts. The introduction to the basics, measurements and ingredients, is descriptively simple and yet the stylish presentation provides easy and faster approach for a try on some of the recipies. To discover the rich tastes of vegetarian cuisine, Foods of Earth Tastes of Heaven is understably unpretentious and upstand. *****
KSAMAPANA, by Dr Kumarpal Desai of Ahmedabad, India, is a small booklet dedicated to the loving memory of Bhavanlal Chaturdas Mehta-Champaben Bhavanlal Mehta, the parents of Dr Manilal Mehta of Cypress, California.
The functioning of forgiveness is finely weaved into the very fabric of Jaina living,philosophy and doctrine. Its rational value and essence take a newer and wider dimension during Paryushan Dashlaxan, a very important festival prescribed thereof from humanist spiritualism and socio-ethical collectiveness and conscious are examined and explored. Of the canonically prescribed many virtues to examine the self, Ksamapana is ardently practiced during Paryushan Dashlaxan.
The book presents the virtue of forgiveness, its many actions and metaphors. The qualities of inner search, humility, anger, mercy and their related actions and non-actions are evalued and often underlined in light of the virtue of forgiveness. And some canonical references substantially enrich the subject.
Dr Desai's attempt to write singularly on virtue of forgiveness as explained in the Agamic canons is laudable. However, to the readers in the West, it is monotone in its content with obscure references, poor anecdotes and metaphors. Perhaps too mythical.
The statements Dr Desai makes, "That is the only justification for celebrating Paryushan" on page 8, in the times of Lord Rishab men were simple and dull" on page 27 and "Sometimes anger lasts for a year. Samvatsari Pratikraman is for this" on page 46 display the depth and the difficulty of an incomprehensive understanding of the subject in question.
Trust, 13-B
Chandra
Nagar
For a copy, contact Jaybhikhkhu Sahitya Society, Paldi, Ahmedabad - 380007, India. *****
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