Jain Journal 1999 07

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

Page 66

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXIV, No. 1 July 1999 idea seems to be a paradox at the initial stage. But a closer insight will reveal the fact that it is true from the point of view of anekāntavāda; e.g., if a glass is half-full with water, it can be described in way that the glass is hall-full, but in a negative way it can also be said that the glass is half-empty. However, this is not a place where I should dilate upon the importance of anekāntavāda, but in order to show how the Jain logical system has produced a system which is quite unique in the logical history of Indian philosophy.
It is needless to say that the Indian history and culture cannot be complete without the study of the contributions made by the Jains. In religion and philosophy, in art and architecture, in history and culture, in language and literature, in cosmology and cosmography, or in any other branch of human knowledge, the Jains have contributed so much that any aspect of Indianism cannot be complete without taking into consideration the contributions of the Jains. So also in logic. From the time of Umāsvāti till the 17th cent. A.D., lots of Jain logicians appeared and a thorough and systematic study of all systems of Jain logic is necessary. This International Seminar on Umāsvāti might help scholars to re-assess the history of Jain logic.
To cut my speech short, I can place before the scholars present here to deliberate upon the contributions of Umāsvāti to Jain logic and compare and contrast it with the other systems of Indian logic. I believe that this Seminar will enhance our knowledge on Umāsvāti for understanding the Indian logic and philosophy in a greater and better way.
In this Seminar the fifteen topics on Umāsvāti have been chosen for doing primary research on him. It is the intention of the authority of the BLII to dilate upon all these points, so that some fruitful and substantial discussions may emerge out of this Seminar. It is also the intention of the authority concerned that a complete analysis of the TS is a sine qua non, and for this reason this seminar is organised.
In the end, I again welcome all the delegates present here for the troubles they have undertaken for making this International Seminar a great success. I also welcome their contributions to Umāsvāti which we will listen in all these three days. I hope their stay will be comfortable and there will prevail a congenial atmosphere during their stay in this part of the country. I again express my thanks to all the delegates and am looking forward to their deliberations.
Thank you.