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Appendix III
Pearls of Jaina Wisdom - I* In the sixth century B.C. Lord Mahāvīra, the 24h Tīrthankara (“the liberated soul') preached that only one who cultivated the 'Right Faith' could acquire ‘Right Knowledge and thereby become capable of 'Right Conduct. Action without knowledge and knowledge without action would be utterly meaningless. These three--the 'Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct ‘are the three jewels of Jaina Wisdom. Lord Mahāvīra laid particular emphasis on the five great principles, namely, Non-violence, Truth, Non-possessiveness, Non-stealing and Celibacy.
Shri Dulichand Jain, in his book titled Jinavāni Ke Moti (Pearls of Jaina Wisdom) released the other day by Hon'ble Justice P. S. Mishra at a function in a city venue, has meticulously chosen especially inspiring sūtras (“Aphorism' pithy truths) from various Jaina canonical texts and compiled them in a meaningful order. The classification of the sūtras under various titles is fully in keeping with the Jaina tradition. The translations selected are pointedly appropriate and relevant for all times and climes. He has also devoted a few chapters to the life-history and teachings of Lord Mahāvīra.
The basic aim of the publication (it is in Hindi and in an easy understandable style) is to inculcate a positive awareness and understanding, in the minds of the objective reader-follower, of the essential tenets of Jainism.
* The Indian Express, 24 March 1994
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