Dharmonu Tulnatmak Adhyayan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dharmonu Tulnatmak Adhyayan" by Bhaskar Gopalji Desai, based on the provided pages:

The book, "Dharmonu Tulnatmak Adhyayan" (Comparative Study of Religions), authored by Dr. Bhaskar Gopalji Desai, Reader and Head of the Philosophy department at M.S. University, Vadodara, is a scholarly work published by the University Granthnirman Board, Gujarat State. The catalog link and provided pages offer a detailed insight into its structure and content.

Overall Structure and Scope:

The book is meticulously structured into three main divisions:

• Division One: General Questions and Methodologies: This section delves into the general nature of religion, discussing various study methods and different perspectives on comparative religious studies. It also outlines the ideal approach for scholars in this field and examines the changing nature of religion from both a religious truth and historical viewpoint.
• Division Two: Comparative Outline of Eleven Major Religions: This division presents a comparative overview of eleven prevalent religions worldwide. For each religion, it discusses the key themes covered, its development as a dynamic force, and its evolution in relation to other faiths.
• Division Three: Comparative Analysis and Future of Religion: This final section engages in comparative discussions on various aspects, including the founders of religions, the organizing forces within religions, their times and places of origin. It also undertakes comparative studies of religious doctrines and "religious couples" (likely referring to paired concepts or figures). The book concludes by offering insights into the future of religion in light of the unique characteristics of contemporary faiths, even classifying Communism as a religion in this context.

Key Features and Content Highlights:

• Scientific and Objective Approach: The author, Dr. Desai, aims for a scientific and objective analysis of religions, emphasizing the need for a balanced perspective without bias.
• In-depth Exploration: The book covers a wide range of topics related to religion, including:
  • The definition and nature of religion.
  • The evolution of religion throughout history and in human life.
  • The role of logic, experience, and faith in understanding religious truths.
  • The influence of religion on individual and societal life.
  • The characteristics of religion's founders, organizational forces, and historical contexts.
  • Comparative analysis of religious doctrines and ethical teachings.
  • The concept of the divine, soul, and cosmology across different religions.
  • The future of religion, including the potential of ideologies like Communism.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The book discusses eleven prominent religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, Taoism, Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and Chinese religions. It also briefly touches upon the evolution of religion from tribal to national to universal forms.
• Methodological Depth: The first division extensively discusses various methodologies for studying religion, including historical, philosophical, scientific (psychological and sociological), biographical, aesthetic, and ethical approaches, culminating in the comparative method itself.
• Authoritative Perspective: Dr. Desai, with his background in Philosophy, brings an academic rigor to the subject. The publisher, University Granthnirman Board, indicates the book's academic standing.
• Detailed Structure: The inclusion of appendices, tables, diagrams, bibliographies, and indexes further enhances the book's utility for students and researchers. The table of contents provided reveals specific topics within each religion covered, such as the historical development of Hinduism, the core principles of Jainism, the teachings of Buddhism, the concept of God in various faiths, and the comparison of concepts like heaven and hell.
• Focus on Gujarat Context: The publisher's preface highlights the board's initiative to create substantial content for higher education in Gujarati, making this book a significant contribution to the regional literary landscape in the field of religious studies.

In essence, "Dharmonu Tulnatmak Adhyayan" is an extensive and foundational work that provides a structured, comparative, and analytical study of major world religions, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of their origins, development, doctrines, and societal impact. The book is intended for a serious academic audience interested in exploring the complexities and commonalities of religious traditions from a neutral, analytical standpoint.