Jain Legend Vol 1

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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Between us ( c rya r Hast malaj Mah r ja)
Benefits of the History of Jain Religion
History, of a country, race or religion, is a chronicle of all that has happened in the past. The objective of writing history is to inspire coming generations to behave in an appropriate manner following the path of great men. We do not see history of religion in as abundant a measure as the history of other subjects. That is why people believe that Jainism has no ancient or corroborative history. But that is not true. Though Jain historical works are available since a long time; however as these works were compiled in Pr k ta and Sanskrit and they did not present historical facts in a systematic manner they could neither attract attention of common people nor become popular. Moreover, readers are more attracted to worldly scenario (matters) and unrefined (gross) affairs of humankind than to the history of religion.
History of Jain Religion
Religion does not have its own independent history. Lives of great religious men and their preaching serve as introduction to religion. History of religious people is the history of religion. History of religion is the chronicle of the thought and conduct, propagation and preaching's of religious men in the country. The path to achieve victory over attachment and other flaws through right thought and right conduct is the essence of Jain religion. About the status of religion, experts of scriptures point out that just as five existents (Astik y s) have always existed in this universe. Similarly right canons comprising the 12 limbs (Dv da mg ) comprising cr mga etc composed by the venerable composers of the sermons of omniscient Lord (Ga adharas or ga ipi akas) is eternal and without a beginning. In a religious place like India with religious people and their expectations, the start of the religion from the end of the enjoyment period (bhogayuga) and the end period of unhappy period (duh amak la) of the declining happiness epoch can be said to be the end period of religion. The exact description of religion during this period from its start till its (religion) end is called the complete history of religion. The history presented here is from the point of view of India and this half-cycle of regression. The first T rthamkara
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