Jain Journal 2013 07

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

Page 49

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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLVIII, NO. 1-IV JULY 2013-JUNE 2014
The sixth chapter deals with the problems of other sources of empirical experience Retention (dhāranā), recollection (smrti), recognition (pratyabhijñāna) are factors involved in memory. This chapter gives the analysis of retention as the condition of memory and recollection and recognition as forms of expressing memory. Similarly the psychological implications of inference (anumāna) as a source of knowledge have also been analyzed.
In the seventh chapter, the problem of supernormal perception has been discussed. The Jaina philosophers accepts the possibility of direct experience without the instrumentality of the sense organs and the mind. This is the supernormal perception according to Jainas. All school of Indian thought except the Carvaka, accept the possibility of supernormal experience. Modern psychical research also have been analyzed two forms of supernoram experience with reference to their investigation. Chapter eight gives the description of the fourteen stages of the struggle for the realization of the self. The way of self-realization, is a struggle for emancipation and for the attainment of perfection. The struggle for perfection in the fourteen stages is psychologically very important subject. In this way this book takes a bold step towards moving beyond the individual to the highest level.
However, it is not an easy task to compare the ancient Indian thought with the concepts of modern psychology, the author has succeeded in pointing out some possible similarities between ways of thinking out problems by ancient Jaina philosopher including the other Indian philosopher and thinkers of the west. In this book, the author T. G. Kalghatgi successfully highlighted the importance of psychological analysis in the philosophical thought of Jainism. It could be worth mentioned that there are no other book on Jaina psychology have appeared till date except this single one. We do hope and believe, however, that the reader will find a “big picture” here that will, if nothing else, serve as an invitation for further study, discussion, and reflection.
Last but not least to mention that the author also gives a detail index of seven pages that will be of great assistance to the researcher of Jaina psychology