Charlotte Krause Her Life And Literature

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dr. Charlotte Krause: Her Life & Literature, Volume I," based on the provided pages:

Overview:

This book, published by Pārśvanath Vidyāpīṭha in Varanasi in 1999, is a tribute to Dr. Charlotte Krause, a German scholar of Indology who dedicated her life to the propagation of Jainism. It is a compilation of her extensive writings, covering various aspects of Jaina religion, philosophy, ethics, and culture. The volume aims to bring her significant contributions to light, acknowledging her lesser recognition among some Jaina scholars and the lack of prior compilation of her works.

Dr. Charlotte Krause: A Life Devoted to Jainism

• Background: Born in Germany in 1895, Charlotte Krause initially studied natural sciences but was soon drawn to Indian languages and philosophy, particularly Sanskrit and Prakrit.
• Academic Career: She earned her Ph.D. from Leipzig University and became a Fellow and Assistant Professor of Indian and Comparative Philology at the University of Leipzig.
• Embracing Jainism: In 1925, she came to India to deepen her knowledge of Jainism and was profoundly influenced by the teachings and lifestyle of Jain monks. She publicly announced her decision to adopt Jain vows, changing her name to Subhadra Devi and dedicating her life to the study and practice of Jainism.
• Life in India: For over half of her long life, she lived in India, conducting research, working in education, and traveling extensively with Jain monks. She experienced Indian life firsthand, engaging with its customs, dialects, and diverse religious practices.
• Later Life and Return to Christianity: Despite her deep commitment to Jainism, in her old age, Dr. Krause returned to Christianity and lived in a Roman Catholic Church campus in Gwalior. The reasons for this shift are attributed by some to a perceived lack of recognition and proper regard from the Jaina community, leading to her feeling isolated and disillusioned. She passed away in Gwalior in 1980.
• Legacy: The book highlights her significant contributions as both a scholar and a devoted practitioner of Jainism, enriching Jaina literature with her multifaceted writings.

Key Contributions and Works:

The volume compiles a wide range of Dr. Krause's writings, including articles and edited books, across English, Hindi, and Gujarati. Some of her notable contributions to Jaina literature mentioned are:

• English Works:

  • "The Kaleidoscope of Indian Wisdom": A comparative study of Indian philosophical schools, classifying them into Vedic and Shramanic traditions.
  • "An Interpretation of Jaina Ethics": A detailed examination of Jain ethics from both theoretical and practical standpoints, discussing Karma theory, Jinakalpa, Sthavirakalpa, ethics for monks and laypeople, and various austerities.
  • "The Heritage of Last Arhat": Discusses the fundamental teachings of Jainism, emphasizing the principle of Anekāntavāda and its role in religious harmony and social welfare.
  • "The Jaina Canon and Early Indian Court Life": Explores the rich cultural material within the Jaina canon, offering glimpses into early Indian court life, though noted for lacking original references.
  • "The Social Atmosphere of Present Jainism": An observational account of the social dynamics within Jainism, including its opposition to the caste system and the sectarian quarrels among different groups.
  • "Pythagoras: The Vegetarian": Highlights the shared principles of vegetarianism between ancient Greek thinkers like Pythagoras and Jainism.
  • "Siddhasena Divākara and Vikramaditya": Establishes the contemporaneity of Siddhasena Divākara and Vikramaditya, a masterpiece of her research supported by extensive references.
  • "Jāvada of Māņḍu": A biographical essay on a charitable Jaina businessman from the 16th century, showcasing her depth in studying Jaina history.
  • Biographies and sayings of Vijayadharma Sūri, her teacher and spiritual guide.

• Hindi Works:

  • "Jaina Sāhitya aur Mahākāla Mandira": Explores the literary evidence for the Mahākāla temple and its connection to Jainism.
  • "Ādhunika Jaina Samāja kī Sāmājika Paristhiti": The Hindi version of her English article on the social atmosphere of contemporary Jainism.

• Gujarati Works:

  • Articles on hymnical literature and reviews, showcasing her proficiency in Gujarati and deep insight into the subject.

• Books:

  • "Ancient Jaina Hymns": Critically edited hymns with introductions, discourses, notes, and a bibliography.
  • "Nāsaketarī Kathā": An edition of an Old Rajasthani tale with grammar and glossary, fulfilling her Habilitation requirements.

Compilation and Acknowledgements:

The publication of this volume is largely due to the dedicated efforts of Shri Hazarimull Banthia, who took the initiative in compiling her works. Sincere thanks are expressed to Dr. Luitgard Soni and Dr. Jayendra Soni for contributing her biography and bibliography. Professors Sagarmal Jain and S.R. Sarma are acknowledged for their insightful introduction and foreword, respectively. Dr. Shriprakash Pandey is credited for his meticulous editing.

Overall Significance:

This book serves as a vital resource for scholars and individuals interested in Jainism, offering a comprehensive overview of Dr. Charlotte Krause's scholarly and personal journey in understanding and propagating the Jaina faith. It highlights her significant contributions to Jainological studies and acknowledges the breadth of her research and the depth of her commitment. Volume II is promised to include her remaining articles and books.