Tulsi Prajna 1992 07

Author(s): Parmeshwar Solanki
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 109

A SURVEY OF PRÄKRIT AND JAINA STUDIES
IN INDIA AND OUTSIDE [ Dr. Bhagchandra Jain 'Bhaskar'
Prākrit was a dialect of ancient days which had been used mainly by Jain thinkers since inception for preaching and its compilation. Tirthankar Mahāvīra delivered his sermons in this dialect which were largely compiled by his followers after quite sometimes. The modern scholars made laudable efforts for making them available to the public. It is actually very difficult task to carry out a complete and satisfactory suvery of Prakrit studies in India and outside as a great progress has been made in the field during these years. Here what can be done is to refer to the more important works done in the field of different branches , viz. Catalogues, Jaina Āgama literature, Kāvyas, Dramas, Satakas, Caritas, Kathās, Linguistics etc, which may help the research scholars. History of Jainism
In France, Jainism constantly aroused a great interest among the scholars practically in all the branches. A valuable catalogue of Jaina epigraphy, with a "sketch” of the history of Jainism according to the inscriptions, has been edited by A. Guerinot as early as 1908. His another contribution is the " Essai de bibliographic Jaina, Repertoire analytique et methodique des travaux relatifs a Jainisme” (1906, items no. 1-852) followed by valuable indices containing 852 entries. This study lists all books and journal articles published until the end of 1905; it has been supplemented by the same scholar in the
Asiatique (X 11, 1909, p. 417-448) "Notes de bibliographie Jaina" where the works published from 1906 to the end of 1 listed items no. 853-1145). Moreover, in many later issues of the same journal, Guerinot gave bibliographical notes and various new facts concerning the projects and activities of the Jaina community. His last book, written in French, is a very clear general exposition of Leligion djaina. Histoire Doctrine culte, Coutumes, Institutions (1926, with twentyfive fine plates.).
The next detailed treatment of the subject is made by L. Renou and D. Lacombe, in " L'Inde classique. Manuel des etudes Indie nnes 2 (1953. P. 609-664: sources, history of the Church, rites and customs by L. Renou, 2387-2433; doctrines by O. Lacombe, 2455-2492;