Jain Journal 1997 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 40

Book Review Dulichand Jain - Pearls of Jaina Wisdom, a Selection of Inspiring Aphorisms from the Jaina Scriptures, with a Foreword by Satya Ranjan Banerjee, Parshvanath Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, and Research Foundation for Jainology, Madras, 1997, price Rs. 120.00.
'Pearls of Jaina Wisdom' is a translation of inspiring Sūtras from various Jaina texts, meticulously compiled by Shri Dulichand Jain. The book is a result of an in depth study of the vast Jaina Agamic literature, it is a select collection of aphorisms from various Jaina texts, it is an invaluable compilation for laymen as well as research scholars.
In today's fast-paced world, we are at the brink of personal and social crisis, and such a book helps us to integrate ourselves in the complex dimension of life. Having run after material consumption, we have left behind the picture of the good life. We can't trust our social system, our present familial system offers us no feeling of well-being or security, we are disillusioned by our present economic and legal systems, we don't feel healthy despite all the medical advances, we are bewildered as changes creep upon us unawares.
The best and most effective way to cope with the changing trends is to create a personal change. Once a personal change is achieved, we can apply it much more effectively to all the areas of our life. To facilitate this change, the ancient seers have shown us a way of life which is ethical, honest and beneficial. Jainism is a religion which believes in the unique potentiality of each individual to find the divine within - the human becomes the divine. All the Tirthankaras were human beings who attained the position of Godhood by tapping their own inner resources and they propounded some eternal truths which can be followed by anyone who is an aspirant. These truths are timeless, they adapt and fit into the changing and shifting framework of life.
It is the timelessness of these truths that inspires people like Mr. Jain to bring out a book that becomes a storehouse of wisdom for today's world. He believes that these aphorisms can be an answer to today's needs; and it is with this aim of creating an awareness and understanding of the basic tenets of Jainism as propounded by Lord Mahāvīra that this book is written.