Heritage of the Last Arhat Or Lord Mahavira The Message of Jainism

SR No.: 034511
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Charlotte Krause, Balchandra M Parikh
Publisher: Chimanlal Kothari
Publication Year: 1960
Total Pages: 50
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 3

FOREWORD
Jainism, like Hinduism and Buddhism, has attracted international interest today, although in ancient times, unlike its two other sister faiths, it did not enjoy transIndian expansion. In modern times, several foreign savants have made distinguished contributions to the study and exposition of Jain literature, religion and thought. Among these scholarly Jinologists, Dr. Charlotte Krause is a noteworthy name. This German scholar not only devoted herself intellectually to a study of Jainism, but lived in India for over quarter of a century, working under the direct guidance and inspiration of the Jain teacher Sri Mun: Vidyavijaya of Sivapuri, with whom she was closely associated. Among her writings are translations into German of Jain edificatory stories', of the sayings of Vijayadharma Sūri and a monograph on Ancieni Jaina Hymns. In the following pages is offered a lecture of hers delivered in Madras, adapted for the sake of non-academic readers by Sri Balachandra Parikh.
Jainism forms an interesting subject of study in all its three branches, its literature, religious practices and metaphysics. In all these three spheres, it had, in its development, a close association with Hinduism. While Hinduism in its leading mode of thought, affirmed the one Absolute Reality and Buddhism the other extreme position of the non-existence of any, Jain metaphysic may be said to have adopted a middle course in offering its theory of Syādvūda and the seven-facetted (sapta-bhangi) nature of reality. It is striking to a student of Indian history how Jainism has, unlike Buddhism, stayed and been part and parcel of the country and the community. Apart from their writings on their own religion and philosophy, the Jain authors had made valuable contributions to branches of general Sanskrit
1. The Aghata-Kumara-Katha and the Ambada.caritra 2. Seindia Oriental Series 2, 1952.