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PREFACE
Medieval period of Indian culture is a golden period of Jainological studies. More than thousand works on different subjects and commentary literature on Jaina Agamas have been written in this period in Prakrit, Apabharamsa, Sanskrit and other Indian languages. During this period many important temples and other monuments of Jaina Art were constructed in different parts of India. Exponents and followers of Jaina religion also contributed a great deal in their own ways in the development of Indian Society and Culture.
Jain way of life, Ahimsa, vegetarianism, simple living, charity, service and other essentials for human survival have played an important role in the protection of national culture and environment of the country. Freedom, equality, religious tolerance, national unity and other values of Indian culture were always honoured and cherished by Jainism. The way of life of the Jain Monks and householders formed an important basis for preservation of the environment and culture of the country.
For a proper understanding of the Jainism and its role in protection of culture and environment of the country, the Department of Jainology and Prakrit, Sukhadia University, Udaipur organised a National Seminar on The Role of Jainism in the Protection of National Culture and Environment with the financial support of UGC from 8th to 11th January, 1987 at Udaipur. Some selected papers of the seminar have been edited and included in this Volume. These papers highlight various aspects of national culture and environment through Jain sources of Medieval India. We are grateful to the
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