________________
Publisher's Note
International School for Jain Studies conducts various programs for the students, scholars and faculty members of the universities of North America primarily and Europe, Asia in general. Since its inception, more than 250 persons have attended various programs conducted by ISJS. ISJS alumni occupy positions of significance in their respective universities and are regularly contributing to promote Jain studies, research and publication. Experience of ISJS so far had been the perception of Jainism as being mostly concerned with detachment with the world and aiming to attain liberation. This may be true for the monks but partially true for the laity and householders as Jains do form a small but highly educated, prosperous and socially involved minority community. ISJS had been taking several steps, like organizing eleven one day conferences on Social Consciousness in Jainism in the universities of India and abroad and regularly participate in seminars on topics of social relevance.
The present book by Prof. Prakash C. Jain, is the first publication by ISJS on this topic. Prof Jain is a senior adviser and faculty member of ISJS. I hope this is the beginning and the book shall arouse more research and publication in similar or associated topics concerning anthropology, social and professional ethics, economic, health and political scenario etc. Prior to this publication, ISJS had translated in English books on metaphysics (Jainism, key to reality, i.e. Tatvarthasutra in questions and answer form and Jain Legend (history of Jainism till 1500 A.D. i.e. Jain dharma ka Maulik Itihas by Hasti Malji in 4 volumes) for the benefit of ISJS alumni and associates and English speaking scholars which were published by different Jain research institutes.
We wish success to Prof. Jain on writing this up to date book on Jains in India and abroad and hope it will lead him to undertake more research projects on Jain sociology.
Shugan C Jain Chairman International School for Jain Studies New Delhi Email: svana@vsnl.com
