Jain Vidya Evam Prakrit

This document is the first section of "PARISAMVADA [4] JAINAVIDYĀ EVAM PRAKRITA", published by Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Varanasi, in 1987. It serves as the proceedings of a national seminar on "Jain Studies and Prakrit" organized by the Department of Prakrit and Jaināgama in March 1981, with financial support from the University Grants Commission.

The initial pages provide publication details, including the publisher, editors, supervisor, and publication officer. The editorial section (Sampadakiyā) highlights the significance of the seminar and the publication. It mentions that the seminar brought together scholars from various universities and institutions across India, representing diverse fields such as ancient Indian history, art, culture, archaeology, religion, philosophy, Prakrit, Pali, Apabhramsa language and literature, linguistics, sociology, psychology, and modern sciences. The editor, Dr. Gokul Chandra Jain, emphasizes the unprecedented gathering of scholars from various branches of knowledge to discuss Prakrit and Jain studies in Kashi after fifty years.

The editorial also notes that the Department of Prakrit and Jaināgama had organized two other national-level events in March 1987 related to Jain studies and Prakrit: an interdisciplinary study seminar and a short-term session on the Prakrit study curriculum. These events are seen as a progression of scholarly discourse stemming from previous seminars held in different parts of India over the past three decades.

The document then delves into the historical context of the growing interest in Jain studies and Prakrit, tracing it back to the efforts of Western scholars like Dr. Hermann Jacobi and Dr. Richard Pischel. It mentions the establishment of a separate section for "Prakrit and Jainism" in the All India Oriental Conference and the founding of the Bharatiya Jnanpith in Kashi in 1944, inspired by a conference session held at Banaras Hindu University.

The editorial further discusses the historical development of the study of Prakrit and other Eastern Indian languages within Indian universities, particularly after India's independence, with the establishment of separate departments for Prakrit. It highlights the significant contribution of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in establishing a separate faculty for Shraman (ascetic) traditions, including dedicated departments for Prakrit and Jain Philosophy, and Pali and Buddhist Philosophy.

The document acknowledges the interdisciplinary nature of Jain studies and the potential for further research in various branches of humanities, social sciences, and sciences. However, it also points to certain challenges and crises facing Jain studies and Prakrit, including the need for comprehensive revision of existing courses, a decline in the study among followers of the Jain tradition, and the impact of "professionalism" and materialistic trends on scholarly pursuits.

Finally, the editorial expresses gratitude to individuals and institutions that supported the seminar and publication, and dedicates the volume to the memory of the late Professor Jagannath Upadhyay.

Following the editorial, the document presents a detailed Table of Contents (Vishay-Suchi) of the papers presented at the seminar, categorized into:

• Jain Shraman Tradition: History, Art, and Culture (covering philosophy, culture, syncretism, Buddhism, Indian ideology, art, and rulers).
• Jain Thought and Social Sciences (including anthropological studies, contributions to Indian society, historical and sociological background of literary activities, merchant communities, social conditions, ancient Indian ornaments, yoga, education, and scientific content).
• Jain Philosophy and Science (discussing anekanta, concepts in Kannada literature, subtle bodies, karma theory, scientific content of canons, and contributions to Indian karma structures).
• Prakrit, Indian Languages, and Literature (covering chronological estimates, assimilation of consonants, reviews of Prakrit, its presence in Karnataka, cultural crisis, Pali and Prakrit, its continuity, Vedic elements, and contributions to modern Indian languages).

The document then proceeds to provide the full text of the papers presented, starting with "Jain Shraman Parampara ka Darshan" by Pt. Phoolchandra Shastri, followed by numerous other scholarly articles on various aspects of Jain studies and Prakrit. The provided text includes the first few papers, offering detailed analyses from historical, philosophical, linguistic, sociological, and artistic perspectives.

In essence, this is an academic publication stemming from a significant national seminar, aiming to foster and disseminate research on Jain studies and Prakrit, highlighting their interdisciplinary relevance and historical depth within the broader context of Indian culture and languages.