Jain Digest 2007 11 1

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

Page 18

11
JAIN DIGEST.Winter 2007
Prerana
Scholar of Distinction in Jainism and Buddhism
- Compiled by Guest Editorial Team
What does Savirakambada Basadi, a thousand pillar Jain temple built in 1462 AD in Moodbidre, a costal town near Mangalore in the Indian state of Karnataka have in common with the confusing corridors of the University of California Berkeley campus? Even though the Jain population in southern India has significantly declined over the last 800 years, the pillars of the temple are symbols of the strong inherent strength of the Jain values and tradition and how this Jain tradition has withstood the onslaught from other traditions. Nellikar, a small town near Moodbidre, has produced an another Pillar, a pillar whose detailed and rigorous academic investigation and research
eloquent description Prof. Jaini's background and academic has produced a body of information that is not only inspiring,
achievements written by the Jain philosophy and Sanskrit informative and stimulating for the next generation of religious
scholar Mr. Paul Dundas, of the University of Edinburgh. scholars, but it has also helped in presenting the Jain tradition
Instead of rewriting the description we have included a in its proper perspective to the world at large. This Pillar is
condensed version of this foreword. In addition to his Prof. Padmanabh S. Jaini; a Professor Emeritus who continues
educational attainment, Prof Jaini has played an important to work and inspire from his scripture filled room in Dwinelle
role of an ambassador of Jain values, traditions and culture in Hall at University of California Berkeley. This issue of Jain
various forums, conferences and meeting. His scholarly and Digest that is dedicated to education would be incomplete
to-the-point lectures or presentations leave a deep impact on without Honoring Professor Padmanabh S. Jaini, whose
the audience. He has offered these services to JAINA and academic accomplishments and research in Jainism has brought
various other Jain organizations through out the world. Prof. Jaini has met with Dalai Lama to discuss Buddhism. During his meeting at the Vatican organized by the Vatican and the Institute of Jinology in London, Prof Jaini had the opportunity to present his book “The Jaina Path of Purification" to Pope John Paul II. The Pope gracefully referred to Jains by telling Prof. Jaini “So you are the pure ones". Honoring a scholar would not be complete without giving some idea about his intriguing work and rescarch. For this purpose we have included a brief introduction of one of the papers written by Prof. Jaini. Finally, behind every successful man, especially an intellect that is fully absorbed in his work, there is always a person in the background whose name we rarely hear but is equally responsible for the man's success. This person is none other than his wife Sashiprabha also of Moodbidre.
Scholarly Journey of Professor Padmanabh S. Jaini to the forefront the religious, philosophical and literary Abstracted from the original Foreword written by Mr. Paul achievements of the ancient Jain and Buddhist tradition to the Dundas-University of Edinburgh. western world.
(Please send an email to jaindigest.info@gmail.com for the While, interviewing Prof. Jaini, we had the opportunity to see entire copy of the foreword) many books, papers, and publications of Prof. Jaini. In his book Padmanabh Shrivarma Jaini was born into a devout Digambara
titled "Collected Papers of Jaina Studies" we found a very lain family residing in Nellikar, a small town near the famous Jain Education Intemational For Private & Personal use only