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FOREWORD
COMPREHENSIVE ENCYCLOPAEDIA ON JAINISM
Prof. M.R. Gelra needs no special introduction either in the field of Science or education or Jain Studies, He is equally known and facile in all these fields, complimentary to each other. After serving the State of Rajasthan as Director of college Education he was made the First Vice Chancellor of the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun. With his vast administrative experience and profound scholarship, he laid a strong foundation for the overall development of the JVBI. I recollect vividly how, as the first Vice Chancellor, so well equipped with extraordinary qualifications and academic distinction, he gave a new dimension and introduced metamorphic changes to move with new age of technology. Since then on JVBI is slowly and steadily progressing.
The Jaindharma is not an apaurusheya religion. On the other hand it is a paurusheya religion of self-restraint and self-reliant. All souls are equal and are governed by karmas; a self-operated regulatory system. Jainism takes away the role of middleman and insists that the individual must ultimately find the truth and path of salvation for himself. Anekanta is for thinking, syadvada is for expression and ahimsa is for practice. Jainism is similar to Hinduism in practise but it is different and independent in its theory and philosophy in the recent decades scientists are fascinated to study Jainism and its principles.
Professor M.R. Gelra's present book, Jainism in 13 chapters' is an example in this direction. Looking at the relevance of this ancient dharma, Prof. Mahavir Raj Gelra, by authoring this monograph in easy flowing lucid style, has tested Jain testaments/commandments in the laboratory of science. With his insightful approach to the subject and by reinterpreting the age old principles and the Life and Message of celebrated Vardhamana Mahavira. M.R. Gelra has left indelible imprints in the minds of readers. Very often the author's prose becomes poetry or rises to mystical heights and in both cases reader is the beneficiary. There are a number of quotable quotes, from the point of beautiful expression and clarity of thought. Since Gelraji has mastered the subject there is no scope for confusion. He has displayed an intellect of incredible versatility. I would like to quote some passages from the book to show how even profound philosophy is communicated to the readers enveloped in simple but effective prose. But selection of a particular paragraph is difficult because entire book is worth quoting. We can pick and choose any passage from any page! For my satisfaction I quote 3 passages from 3 different chapters of:
1. Prayer, 2.Jiva and 3. Relaxation
