Jainism by Vividus

Author(s): Ramnik V Shah
Publisher: Ramnik V Shah Canada

Page 13

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION
Much water bas flown down the Ganges during these eleven years of the first edition of this book and now. While there have been colossal changes on the world scene, Jainism and the Jain Society bave not lagged behind. A tremendous enthusiasm has been generated among the Jains who have settled outside India and the Great Reformation both in India and abroad has already begun.
Jain monks and nuns have crossed the oceans and flown in the skies and at present are often found on the soils of U.K., Europe, America and Canada in the West and Japan, Malayasia, Singapore, Hongkong in the East. Jain centres, societies, associations and unions have prospered both in funds and the number of their active members. Even the Jain Society of Toronto, Canada has moved from its small old place to a large new million-dollar location. Scholars and Ceremonialists have started being invited and sponsored in a greater sumber day by day in all countries.
In the seminars, conferences and the meetings held in Canada and the U.S. A. which I had the honour and privilege to address during this period and which comprise the second part added to this book, this spirit of enlightenment and action seems much more evident.
The demand for literature on Jainism in English language has considerebly increased as a consequence. Rites and rituals bave also found their appropriate place. Always the participants phenomenally increase in austerities such as long-duration fasts, different kind of Pujas, Samayika and Pratikramana. And so also, interestingly, the number of “thinking elite” in the Jain Society at large the world over. Great realisation appears to