Jain Legend Vol 3

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

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At a glance
Jain religion is a great and scientific religion and philosophy of the world. It is a religion of the believers in the attainment of the supreme and great development of through the purity of the practitioner and his/her objective. In this religion equal emphasis has been laid on the purity of both act and thought. Historically Jain religion is the oldest religion of the world. This religion is an independent religion. It is neither a branch of Hinduism nor of Buddhism. From archaeological, scientific, historical, linguistic, literature and leadership views, it has been established that a prosperous religious tradition existed before the onslaught of Vedic tradition in India. This religious tradition was called by different names from time to time. From this prosperous and ancient tradition, Lord di N tha was the first profounder in the present avasarpi time era. In the Vedic holy texts also, the religion which had discussed, has its 24" T rthamkara as Lord Mah v ra.
After Lord Mah v ra, a tradition of luminary c ryas started. From historical point of view, after Lord Mah v ra, laxity in the conduct of the
rama a monks propounded by Lord Mah v ra crept in during the twelve years long famines. Alongwith laxity in conduct even laxity in the thoughts also crept in leading to the bifurcation of the unified congregation as Digambara and vet mbara. Later on several branches (gacchas) and sub gachhas started emerging from these sects as well. Fortunately from time to time, some distinguished personalities kept on emerging who kept the true form of conduct and doctrine in the congregation alive. Such personalities and their exemplary conduct became the source of great strength for the good followers who were few and far between. Reverend c rya Hast Mala s M.S. had been an unbiased thinker, non partisan discussant and highly sensitive person of the c rya tradition. The deep belief in the conduct as per the Scriptures had been deeply rooted even in the smallest part of his life and conduct and projected in his writing of history of Jainism. History of Jainism had been written under his able guidance with lot of farsightedness. His fine intellect and farsightedness is visible in each and every chapter of this history books.
The author had to do more strenuous work in writing this present volume as compared to the earlier two volumes. This part of history is one which had been almost forgotten and hence became unavailable. There are so
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