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PREFACE
The basic ideology of Jainism has been close to my heart for the following reasons — firstly, I have found an intellectual basis of the Gandhian principle of Ahimsā in the Jaina theory of Anekāntavāda ( Non-absolutism ); secondly, I had, therefore started my initial research on Syadváda-Anekāntavada which was later changed into the “Jaina Concept of Omniscience” on the advice of my revered teacher late Dr. D. M. Datta. Thirdly, I have been greatly benefitted in my life from the association of several Jaina scholars and saints, who have bestowed upon me their affection and kindness. Lastly, as a student of Indology, I thought that it is better to devote my attention to Jainology, which has been relatively a neglected descipline although it has immense potentiality.
Jainology is an amalgalm of Jaina philosophy, Religion and Culture. The scope of the literature produced by Jaina masters and scholars are unlimited. However, a systematic research on Jaina philosophy, Religion and Culture has been very meagre.
The present work is perhaps the first important contribution in this comprehensive field born out of deep study and analysis. It is undoubtedly a scholarly compendium of Jajna Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics, Psychology, Religion and Culture. However, unlike an introductory outline, it is marked by profundity and the typical synthetic approach to all problems. The book is neither sectarian nor unsympathetic in this treatment but fully balanced.
This book will enrich the small shelf of books on Jainism in English of every intelligent scholar and lover of Jainism.
My first work on The Jaina Concept of Omniscience was published by L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad in 1974. In the meantime, I have prepared several research papers on Jaina Philosophy, Religion and Culture, which were presen
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