Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 1

Author(s): Nathmal Tatia
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 181

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VAISHALI INSTITUTE RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 1
Pandit Sukhalalji and Professor Dr. Satkari Mookerjee, combines in himself the qualities of a lovable teacher and a dispassionate scholar. He will no doubt promote the cause of Prakrit and Jaina phillosophy during his sojourn at the foreign centres of study and research.
The Research Institutes
3. As early as 1937, the Parshwanath Vidyashram was established at Varanasi through the efforts of Shri Harjas Rai Jain on the advice of Pandit Sukhalalji. By 1945, the Vidyashram had developed into a centre of higher studies and research in Prakrit and Jainism, and the presnt speaker had the privilege of preparing his doctoral thesis at its Library named as Satavadhani Ratnachandra Pustakalaya. At present the institution is known as the P. V. Research Institute with Dr. Mohanlal Mehta as its whole-time Director. Guidance of doctoral research, organization of extension lectures and publication of researches done by their scholars are the main activities of the Institute.
Another centre of Post-Graduate teaching and research in Prakrit and Jaina learning was established by the Government of Bihar in 1956. This is now known as the Research Institute of Prakrit. Jainology and Ahimsa and is functioning at Vaishali, the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. Specialized Post-Graduate teaching in Prakrit Literature, Jaina Philosophy and Jaina Logic and Epistemology, admission of research scholars for Ph. D. and D. Litt. degrees, publication of research works and critical editions of unpublished texts are some of the main functions of the Institute. Foreign scholars from the South-East Asian countries and Japan also come to Vaishali for Post-Graduate studies and doctoral research in Prakrit and Jainism.
A third research and publication centre came into existence in 1959 at Ahmedabad. This is the L. D. Intitute of Insdology, which has a very fine library of manuscripts as well as printed books. Collection and preservation of manuscripts, works of art, paintings and sculptures, publication of Catalogues of Manuscripts and unpublished texts written by Jaina authors and critical studies and translations prepared by competent men are included in the programme of the Institute.
A band of dedicated scholars, all of whom are monks, under the Pontifical authority of Acharya-Shri Tulsi, constitute a mobile centre of learning, whose scholarly activities are now well known. Their devotion to learning is deep and concentred, and the researches conducted by them deserve special attention Their patience and perseverance which is the sine qua non of scholarship is extraordinary. The