Nandanvana

This comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Nandanavana" by N. L. Jain, published by Parshwanath Vidyapith, is based on the provided pages from the book. The summary covers the book's conceptual framework, its contents, and the philosophical and scientific explorations within its pages.

Book Title: Nandanavana (Elysium) Author: N. L. Jain Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith Series: Parshwanath Vidyapith Series: 147

Overall Concept and Structure:

The title "Nandanavana" (Gladdening Forest) is a metaphor for a vast and multifaceted literary collection, drawing an analogy from the four celestial forests in the Jain cosmology. These forests, located on Mount Sumeru, are Bhadra-śāla, Nandana, Saumanasa, and Pānduka. Nandanavana, as described in the book, is the second of these, signifying a place of delight and academic pursuit.

Dr. N. L. Jain, a noted Jain scholar and scientist, has meticulously arranged this "literary forest." It comprises two "mini-gardens" – one in Hindi and one in English. These gardens contain 24 "subject-trees" (representing major topics) with approximately 195 "branches" (articles, essays, etc.). The collection also includes a cluster of fifty books and booklets, covering a wide array of subjects from Jainology to canons, religion, science, archaeology, chemistry, travel, biography, and autobiography. The articles themselves are categorized into various sections, detailed in appendices.

Key Themes and Content Areas:

The book is structured to present a representative selection of Dr. N. L. Jain's writings, aiming to bridge ancient Jain postulates with modern scientific understanding. The core idea is to present Jainology in a new, analytical, and modernized form that resonates with the current scientific age, proving the scientificity of Jainism even in contemporary times.

Major Sections and Their Focus:

The book is divided into English and Hindi sections, each further categorized by subject matter:

English Section:

The English section features 16 chapters and covers a broad spectrum of topics, including:

• Principles of Jainism:
  • Defining Religion and Jainism (Chapter 1)
  • Science and Religion: Conflict and Convergence (Chapter 2)
  • Theory of Relativity and Relativism (Chapter 3)
  • Mathematical Formulary of Mahāvīran Precepts (Chapter 4)
  • Changes in Order of Some Jaina Chains of Concepts and Practices (Chapter 5)
  • Tirthankaravāda of Jainas (Chapter 6)
  • The Jaina Theory of Karma and Current Scientific Views (Chapter 7)
  • Anekāntavāda and Conflict Resolution (Chapter 8)
  • Concept of Śūnya (Zero) in Jaina Canons (Chapter 9)
  • Early Concepts of Chemistry in Jaina Canons (Chapter 10)
  • Studies on Biology in Tattvārtha Sūtra (Chapter 11)
  • Properties of Matter in Jaina Canons (Chapter 12)
  • Technical Sciences in Jaina Canons (Chapter 13)
  • Mathematical Expositions of Vīrasena in Dhavalā Commentary (Chapter 14)
  • Medical Sciences in Jaina Canons (Chapter 15)
  • Peace through Meditation: Medical Aspects (Chapter 16)
• Rightful Exposition of Jainism in the West: (Chapter 17) - Discusses the need for accurate representation of Jainism to a global audience.
• Jaina Scholarship: Decline or Growth: (Chapter 18) - Critically examines the state of Jaina scholarship and its reception in the West.
• A Reformist Jaina Missionary: Br. Shital Prasadji (1878-1942): (Chapter 19) - A biographical sketch highlighting his contributions to social and religious reforms.
• Let All Enjoy Welfare (Auto-biography of Mahāvīra): (Chapter 20) - Presents the teachings of Lord Mahāvīra from a first-person perspective, emphasizing practical application and adaptation of principles over time.

Hindi Section:

The Hindi section mirrors the English section with a focus on similar thematic areas:

• Jain Research:
  • Research in Jain Studies (1983-1993): A Survey (Chapter 1)
• Canons:
  • Evaluation of the Authenticity of Canonical Texts (Chapter 2)
  • Making Canonical Beliefs Relevant to the Age (Chapter 3)
• Jainism and Principles:
  • Definition of the Living Being and Its Consciousness (Chapter 4)
  • Mathematical Formulary of Mahāvīran Precepts (Chapter 5)
  • Some Thoughts on Changes in Order of Some Jaina Chains of Concepts and Practices (Chapter 6)
  • The Scientific Aspect of Karma Theory (Chapter 7)
  • Soul and Rebirth (Chapter 8)
  • The Efficacy of Mantras: An Analysis (Chapter 9)
  • The Sea of Violence: The Boat of Ahimsa (Chapter 10)
• Jainism and Science:
  • Scientific Aspects of Jainism (implicit in many chapters)
  • Exploring the scientific underpinnings of Jain postulates.
• Translation:
  • Problems in Translating Non-literary Jaina Literature (Chapter 16)
  • In the Shelter of Ignorance (Chapter 17)
• Promotion of Jainism Abroad:
  • Plans for Propagating Jainism Abroad (Chapter 18)
  • Expansion of Jainism Abroad (Chapter 19)
  • Contribution of Foreign Scholars to the Development of Jain Studies (Chapter 20)
• Reviews:
  • Various Forms of Learning in Harivanshapurana (Chapter 21)
• Travel:
  • Bombay and London (Mirrors of India and Britain) (Chapter 22)
• Diary Entries:
  • Reflections on Mahāvīra Jayanti, 1952 (Chapter 23a)
  • Religion and Practice, 1963 (Chapter 23b)
• Appendices:
  • Appendices 1-5, likely containing lists of books, articles, and other relevant data.

Author's Approach and Contribution:

Dr. N. L. Jain's approach is characterized by a "scientific and analytical bias." He aims to present ancient Jainological concepts in a modernized form, demonstrating their relevance and scientific validity in the current age. The collection includes both original and translated works, reflecting a deep engagement with Jainology and a broad interest in various academic disciplines. The author acknowledges that the opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily those of the Parshwanath Vidyapeeth.

Publisher's Note and Preface:

The Publisher's Note highlights Jainism's contributions to philosophy and science, emphasizing its early scientific attitude. It commends Dr. N. L. Jain for his scholarly work in presenting Jain concepts with new dimensions for better comprehension, looking towards the past, present, and future. The Preface by Dr. N. L. Jain reveals the personal motivation for this collection—celebrating his golden jubilee of marriage literarily. He lists his extensive writings (196 papers and 32 books) and notes that the 44 writings in "Nandanavana" are representative, covering 14 major topics. He emphasizes the analytical and modernized approach, intended to stimulate serious thinking and to harmonize scriptural content with contemporary understanding.

Overall Significance:

"Nandanavana" serves as a significant compilation of Dr. N. L. Jain's scholarly endeavors, offering a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of Jainism. By integrating ancient Jain principles with modern scientific and academic perspectives, the book aims to make Jain teachings more accessible, understandable, and relevant to a contemporary audience, demonstrating the enduring relevance and scientific underpinnings of this ancient tradition. The collection is dedicated to his parents and supported by his family, reflecting a personal commitment to this extensive literary project.