Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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PREFACE
The present book is a collection of important selected research pasers on Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism, written by me during last six to seven years period. All the papers are based on study of original Sanskrit texts and exclusively devoted to neglected aspects of Indian Philosophy and Religion. As for as I know, no substantial research has been made on these topics so far. Some of the papers were presented in national and international conferences and won the recognition of these learned bodies. Almost all the papers included in this book have been published from time to time in research journals and periodicals devoted to Indological studies. Indian and foreign scholars in the field of Indology encouraged me to bring out all these papers in a book form. I have selected only twenty-two research papers to include in this book. Eighteen papers are in English and four in Sanskrit, wnich were presented in various 'Pandita Parisads.'
Roally speaking, there is no scope for exhaustive introduction in a book like this one, because it is not concerned with one single subject. But different papers on different subjects can be summarised in short in the interest of the readers. Each paper has its own significance in the field of research.
In the first paper, an attempt is made to throw light on commcndable contribution made by the Jaina thinkers to reconcile divergent philosophical viewpoints in the field of Indian philosophy. It is aiso shown that how their Anekantavada doctrine itself leads to this reconciliation in the end.
Second paper deals with, for the first time on the presentation and refutation of Advaita by Jaina philosophers, which is an out-come of indepth study of philosophical texts of Jain thinkers. [o this paper, one can read the criticism of Advaitic doctrines of non-dual Brahman, Maya, Self, Liberation etc., by the Jaina philosophers.
Umāsvāti Vācaka's contribution to Jain philosophy is unparallel. lofact entire palace of Jaina philosophy is erected on his two foundational works, viz, 'Tattvārtha thigamasutra', also known as 'Tattvārthasūtra' and 'Pragamaratiprakarana.' Third paper, in nutshell, highlights his contribution not only to Jaina Philosophy but to Indian Philosophy in general, comparing his views with other systems of Indian thought. Fourth paper deals with