The Jain 1992 04 Special Issue

Author(s): Natubhai Shah, Vinod Kapashi
Publisher: UK Jain Samaj Europe

Page 39

physics, and suggests the possibility of discovering new natural phenomena by an interaction of the two.
Leicester from the very beginning. We have now received an appreciation of this book from Professor CB Rio of Pennsylvania State University. Professor Rao's many distinctions are too numerous to mention here, but they include Fellowship of the Roval Society, the highest British honour in the field of science. We feel that the views of Professor Rao will be of interest 10 our readers.
Jainism is a religious system founded very many centuries ago and developed by a series of spiritual leaders called Tirihankaras. It is based on a highly sophisticated logic amd on scientific principles as reexpounded by the twenty-fourth Tirthankara. Mahavira (599-527 BO), who was al contemporary of the Buddha. The ancient texts of Jainism, like all literature in those times, were written in Sanskrit and Prakril using the existing vocabulary and in a style which is somewhat lets and needs it deep study to understand Mardia has clone a valuable service to larmen, as well as scholars in comparative religion by writing a book plaining the logic and philosophy of Jainism in terms of modern concepts and ilcas.
Written by a modern thinker and a scientist with an international reputation in research and the Klissemination of scientific knowledge, The Scientific Foundations of Jainism is a valuable guide in understanding Jainism. Mardia refers to the Jain claim that one can see the whole truth of Jain science when one attains kevalajnana or infinite knowledge! His efforts to reveal to us the truth of Jain science in an understandable way provide a testimony to the vast amount of knowledge he must have acquired through the diligent study on the literature on Jainism. The book will be of great value to Jains as well as non-Jains in understanding the emergence of a great religion, to help us in seeking truth and understanding our existence and the purpose of life.
Vardia seis out four axioms neccled 10 explain the spiritual path of Jainismi. Three of them postulate the scientific theory of karmons, or particles of nonliving material, and their relation to the pure soul, the living pail. Axiom postulates the application of the theory of harmons in purifying the soul. These txioms are Then examines for their logical content and relevance to modern life
Jaimisii was founded to understand problems of real like: What we imperfect. What should we do about 11: W are there different forms of life? Different religions have clillerent approaches to answer these questions. Vandia deduces the answers in a logical Was using the basic axioms. Ile states the Three Jewels of the Jain path of purification to attain moksha on salvation : choosing the Right Faith acquiring the Righ knowledge and finally observing the Right Conduct
highlight the book is the discussion of Jain logic. which allows for conclusions (inference to be drawn when i st questions asked to not lead to complete exertain or complete uncertainty central leature of this sistem is il principle of conditional predications in alles vachinda in which one examines inference from seven Sandpoints (prabhugar
a) cliffering peso Ceramal involved. It is In ting to that fun logic is the form er of 1110 111 Vintill TTUI. intill
Vardia characteris's Jainism not simply as it religion but it holistic scene which encome's (ving. including religion. Ile I l malogy between harmonis und hat mi lor's US conceived by Jauns, and the fundamental particles and forces postulateel in
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