________________ Vaishali Prakrit Jain Research Institute 477 particularly the generous Jain community at large, to lend their support and cooperation by making handsome donations to pusb through the proposed scheme. The response to these appeals was encouraging and the Government of Bibar was pleased to approve of the proposal for the establishment of the Vaishali Institute on May 18, 1953. The conception of an institute for Prakrit Studies all the more gained ground as two centres of traditional learning, namely, a centre of Post-graduate Studies and Research in Pali and Buddhism and a centre of Postgraduate Studies and Research in Sanskrit and Brahmanism, had already been established at Nalanda and Darbhanga respectively by the Government of Bihar. Preparations According to the charter of sanction of the Government of Bihar, the Institute was initially characterized as an Oriental centre of Postgraduate Studies and Research in the field of Prakrit and Jainology to be located at Vaishali, the seat of the ancient Republic of the Lichchhavis and also a place from which Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha disseminated to the world the message of non-violence and peace. Sri R. R. Diwakar, the Governor of Bihar during 1952-1957, recalling the resounding message of "Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah', that went forth from Vaishali some twentyfive centuries ago, considered Ahimsa 'not only as a religious tenet but as the basic approach and attitude of man towards man as a great principle in the social organisation of humanity.'1 Hence he suggested that as research on it was of immediate importance. Abimsa should form one of the salient features of this lostitute. As such, the Institute was suitably christened Research Institute of Prakrit, Jainology and Ahimsa.' Shri Shanti Prasad Jain, the leading industrialist and philanthropist of Bihar and a prominent figure in the Jain community, volunteered to make a generous donation of Rupees six lacs and twentyfive thousand for the initial establishment. The poor but overwhelmed members of the public of the Vaishali area unhesitatingly offered to donate thirteen acres of laod for its campus. The Government of Bihar in the Education Department undertook to run the Institute and meet the recurring ex. penditure. A suitable permanent site for the Instituto was selected at Vaishali, known at present a$ Basukund and identified as Kundagrama or 1. 'Appeal from Sri R. R. Diwakar, the Governor of Bibar,' p. 2.
