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VICE CHANCELLOR'S NOTE / 19
theories. His novel interpretations may or may not find acceptance with other thinkers, however his efforts have broadened the horizon. In this context, his discussions on Syadvada are highly thought provoking. Excerpts from the book - “The scientific principle of uncertainty has an immediate alibi in the form of Syadvada. When a micro entity is in motion, two possibilities exist -
>When behaving as a particle, the wave nature is obscured and vice-versa. > For an observer, it is impossible to correctly predict the behaviour of a micro entity either as a particle or as a wave. This 'uncertainty of science' is the “unpredictability of Syadvada'. Interestingly, this uncertainty or unpredictability arises not due to the characteristics of the entity but due to the inadequacies of the observer's perception and limitation of his knowledge.”
Commenting, Mahapragya says, “Dr. Mahavir Raj Gelra is a great scholar of Jain Agamas while simultaneously keeping himself acquainted with the latest happenings in the world of science. This aspect of author is manifested repeatedly throughout the present work. Dr. Gelra is a born Jain and a trained scientist. His strong association with Terapanth and his unequivocal presentation of Jain fundamentals has earned him the laurel of 'Terapanth Spokesman' by none other than the Rev. Ganadhipati Shree Tulsi. I strongly believe that his present work, namely, 'Jain Study and Science: Context - Acharya Mahapragya's Literature' will prove to be a milestone and beacon to all those who seek the confluence of science and spiritualism. This endeavour of Dr. Gelra is just a good beginning from where he has to travel a long way ahead.”
I had the privilege of editing this book, when published in Hindi in 2005. I am immensely pleased to find that its translation in English is ready within a year's time. I specially record thanks to Shri Piyush Jain for this commendable work of translation and the re-edition of the book, which carries various technical terms of Jain Philosophy. I would also like to thank Shri R.L. Parakh, Churu (Rajasthan) for the financial assistance for the publication of this book.
. In Acharya Mahapragya's literature, various aspects of Jain Philosophy, like, Sociology, Economics, Health-science, Psychology, Physics etc. have been discussed in great depths. This treatise is created keeping only scientific concepts at the centre. Scholars from various fields can select various other topics available in Mahapragya's literature for their writings, thereby, contributing in the e of Jain studies.
I firmly believe that this project undertaken is a right step in the direction of achieving its goals.
SAMANI MANGALPRAGYA
Vice-Chancellor, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute
Ladnun (Raj.).
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