Jambudwip Part 02 - Book Summary

This comprehensive summary details the contents of "Jambudwip Part 02," a publication by Vardhaman Jain Pedhi, based on the provided pages from the Jainqq.org catalog.

Book Title: Jambudwip Part 02 Author(s): Vardhaman Jain Pedhi Publisher: Vardhaman Jain Pedhi Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/005568/1

Overview:

"Jambudwip Part 02" is a publication by Vardhaman Jain Pedhi, a Jain institution located in Palitana, Gujarat, India. The book is presented as the second volume in a series dedicated to the concept of Jambudwip, a significant geographical and cosmological entity in Jainism. The publication appears to be a collection of essays and research presented at a conference or seminar organized by the institution, focusing on the intersection of Jain philosophy, cosmology, and modern science.

Key Themes and Content:

The publication delves into various aspects of Jain cosmology, geography, and philosophy, aiming to reconcile or compare them with contemporary scientific understanding. The core themes include:

Jambudwip Cosmology: The book elaborates on the structure, dimensions, and inhabitants of Jambudwip, a central continent in Jain cosmology, as described in ancient Jain scriptures. It presents detailed explanations of its geography, including mountains, rivers, continents, and celestial bodies.
Reconciling Jain Philosophy and Science: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to exploring how Jain principles, particularly in cosmology and astronomy, align with or differ from modern scientific theories. This includes discussions on the movement of celestial bodies, the nature of the Earth, gravity, and the concept of time.
Critique of Modern Scientific Theories: Several articles critically examine prevailing scientific models, particularly the heliocentric model and the spherical Earth theory. The authors, drawing from ancient Jain texts and alternative interpretations, question the universally accepted scientific paradigms and propose that Jain scriptures offer a more accurate or alternative understanding of the cosmos.
Articles on Specific Topics:
- Speed of Light: An article by Batuk Pandya compares Vedic traditions regarding the speed of light with modern scientific calculations, finding a remarkable similarity.
- Worldview (Vishva Darshan): Muni Shri Ravindrasagarji explains the Jain worldview, describing the universe as composed of six substances (dravyas) and detailing the structure of the universe as a cosmic man.
- "Is the Earth Flat?": Articles by J. McDonald and Jayesh R. Shah present arguments and experiments questioning the spherical nature of the Earth, suggesting it might be flat. This includes discussions on water levels and observable phenomena.
- Sun's Motion and Shadow's Motion: Ramanlal Bababhai Shah discusses the movement of the sun and the implications for shadow calculations, highlighting differences from standard scientific models.
- Gravity: Ramanlal Bababhai Shah questions the scientific understanding of gravity, suggesting that the inherent properties of substances (like water flowing downhill due to its nature) rather than a universal gravitational force explain phenomena.
- Human Landing on the Moon: Dr. P. G. Patel critically analyzes the Apollo missions, suggesting inconsistencies and propaganda, and proposing that human landings might have occurred in mountainous regions on Earth rather than the moon.
- Reincarnation: Jagdishchandji examines the concept of reincarnation from a philosophical and scientific perspective, citing various scholars and scriptures that support the idea.
- Subtle Body and Scientific Research: Dr. Narayan Kansara discusses the concept of the subtle body (linga sharira) and its scientific investigation, referencing various parapsychological and scientific studies.
- Jainism and Science: Dr. Rudradev Tripathi explores the harmonious blend of Jain philosophy and science, while also critically examining the limitations of scientific materialism.
- India and Bharat: Ramanlal Bababhai Shah clarifies the distinction between "Bharat" (India) and "Bharatkshetra" (Jambudwip's Bharata region), addressing potential confusion arising from similar names.
- Jain Geographical Knowledge: Yashwant Bhatt discusses the geographical knowledge preserved in ancient Indian traditions.
- Russian Scientists' New Discoveries: This section touches upon new astronomical findings from Russian scientists.
- Is the Earth Stationary?: Muni Shri Hemchandrasagarji presents the argument that the Earth is stationary, as proposed by a Pakistani astronomer, challenging the prevailing scientific view.
- The Soul (Atman) in Samkara-Vedanta: Prof. K. N. Iyer analyzes the concept of the soul from the perspective of Samkara Vedanta, discussing its nature, attributes, and the philosophical arguments surrounding it.
- Jain and Vedic Geography of Jambudwip and Bharat Kshetra: Prof. Kapoor Chand Jain compares the geographical descriptions of Jambudwip and Bharat Kshetra in Jain and Vedic traditions, highlighting similarities and differences.
- Read Seriously: Dr. R. D. Tripathi offers a call for serious consideration and critical analysis of the information presented.
Inspiration and Support: The publication acknowledges the inspiration and support received from various Jain monks (Munis) and scholars who contributed to the intellectual and practical aspects of bringing this work to fruition. The efforts of the editorial board and patrons are also recognized.
Purpose of the Project: The overarching goal of the Jambudwip project, as highlighted in the "Objectives of the Project," is to preserve and promote Jain knowledge, counter the influence of materialistic and scientific materialism on the younger generation, and demonstrate the scientific validity of ancient Jain cosmology.
Call to Action: The book encourages readers to engage with the material critically, to visit the Jambudwip model in Palitana, and to support the ongoing research and efforts to disseminate this ancient wisdom.

Key Figures:

Pujya Upadhyaya Shri Dharmasagarji Maharaj: A key inspiration and spiritual guide for the project.
Pujya Panyas Shri Abhay Sagarji Maharaj: A central figure, the driving force behind the research and organization of the conference that led to this publication.
Vardhaman Jain Pedhi: The publishing entity and organizing body.
Editorial and Support Staff: The publication acknowledges the contributions of various scholars, editors, and supporters from different fields.

Overall Impression:

"Jambudwip Part 02" represents a significant effort by the Jain community to engage with complex cosmological and scientific questions from their traditional philosophical perspective. It reflects a dedication to preserving and propagating ancient Jain knowledge while also fostering a dialogue with modern scientific inquiry. The publication showcases a deep respect for their scriptures and a belief in the inherent scientific validity of their cosmological descriptions.