Pashchtya Vidwano Ka Jain Vidya Ko Yogdan

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, focusing on the contributions of Western scholars to Jainology:

This text, "The Contribution of Western Scholars to Jainology" by Prem Suman Jain, details the significant role played by scholars from Western countries in the study and promotion of Jainism, particularly from the 17th century onwards. The study initially focused on Sanskrit and Pali languages and Buddhism, but gradually expanded to include Prakrit and Jainism.

Early Interest and the Study of Prakrit:

• Western scholars' interest in Jainism began to grow in the 16th century, with a significant focus on the Prakrit language.
• Early work included the publication of "Essai sur le Pali" by Burnouf and Lassen in 1826, which shed light on Buddha's original teachings.
• While early studies in Indian languages largely overlooked Prakrit and Apabhramsha, this began to change with scholars like Charles Wilkins who mentioned Prakrit in his study of Abhijnanashakuntala.
• Henry Thomas Colebrooke also wrote essays on Prakrit and Jainism.
• J. J. Flinn in London, in his 1867 book "Short Studies in a Science of Comparative Religions," referenced the Prakrit language found in inscriptions, indicating a growing interest.

Key Scholars and Their Contributions:

• Dr. J. G. Bühler: Considered a pivotal figure for collecting Jain manuscripts for Western scholars. He spent much of his life searching for Indian manuscripts and sent around 500 Jain texts to the Berlin Library. His 1887 book on Jainism, translated into English in 1903 as "The Indian Sect of the Jains," highlighted the spread of Jainism beyond India and its philosophy of liberation.
• Albert Weber: Another crucial scholar who studied Jain texts sent to Germany by Dr. Bühler. His 1882 research-based book "Indischen Studien (Indian Literature)" significantly contributed to Jain studies. Both Bühler and Weber greatly accelerated the study of Prakrit abroad.

Advancements in Prakrit Language Study:

• Western scholars initiated Jainology through a comparative study of Prakrit.

• 19th Century:

  • Early works in Prakrit studies were by German scholars like Hoefer ("De Prakrito Dialecto Libri Duo," 1836) and Lassen ("Institutiones Linguae Prakriticae").
  • Translations of Prakrit texts into German began in the 1840s, with O. Böhtlingk preparing a German edition of Hemachandra's Abhidhana Chintamani in 1848.
  • The comparative importance of Prakrit grew, leading scholars like Ernst Trumpp ("Grammar of the Sindhi Language Compared with Sanskrit, Prakrit and the Cognate Indian Vernaculars," 1872) and Friedrich Haug ("Vergleichung des Prakrit und der Romanischen Sprachen," 1866) to undertake comparative studies.
  • In the later decades of the 19th century, Prakrit grammar became a focus. Dr. J. H. Bühler published important articles on Hemachandra's Deshi-Shabd-Sangraha and Paiyalacchi, and his book "Über das Leben des Jain-Mönches Hemachandra" was published in Vienna in 1886.
  • E. B. Cowell studied the Prakrit used in Sanskrit dramas, publishing "A Short Introduction to the Ordinary Prakrit of the Sanskrit Dramas" in London in 1875. E. Müller's "Wegweiser zur Grammatik des Jain-Prakrit" (Berlin, 1875) also contributed.
  • Dr. Rudolf Hoernle's English edition of the Prakrit grammatical text Prakrit Lakshanam was published in Calcutta in 1880.

• Richard Pischel: The "Panini" of Prakrit:

  • German scholar Richard Pischel is credited with the first systematic and comparative study of Prakrit languages.
  • He edited Hemachandra's Prakrit grammar, Haimendranushasan, published in 1877.
  • His magnum opus, "Grammatik der Prakrit-Sprachen" (Grammar of the Prakrit Languages), written in German and published in 1900, provided a structured grammar of Prakrit and analyzed its origins.
  • Pischel challenged the prevailing view that Prakrit evolved from Sanskrit, proposing instead that it developed independently. His comparative study with Vedic language offered a new direction in linguistics.

• 20th Century Prakrit Studies:

  • Early 20th century saw a focus on various forms of Prakrit.
  • Sir George Grierson made significant contributions, including his 1906 essay "The Paishachi Language of North-Western India" and his 1912 essay "The Preservation of Paishachi and its Relation to Other Languages." He also studied Dhakki Prakrit and various Prakrit dialects.
  • Other scholars like Holtzsch (edited Prakrita-rupavatara of Simharaja, 1906), Hermann Jacobi (prepared a textbook "Ausgewählte Erzählungen in Maharashtri" in 1886, offering a detailed analysis of Maharashtri Prakrit and the development of Indian languages), and various other scholars contributed through articles and books on specific Prakrit features, grammar, and dialects.
  • Luigi Pio Tessitori also made notable contributions, particularly in analyzing Apabhramsha in relation to Rajasthani and Gujarati.
  • Scholars like L.D. Barnett, Julius Eggeling, and others also worked on specific Prakrit texts.
  • Luigi Nitti-Dolci's "Les Matières de la Littérature Prakrite" (1938) critically reviewed earlier Prakrit scholarship.
  • T. Burrow's 1937 essay on the language of Khosroști documents from Chinese Turkestan and W.E. Clark's analysis of Magadhi and Ardhamagadhi in 1944 were also significant.
  • Norman Brown's 1948 article introduced Jain Maharashtri Prakrit and its associated literature.
  • Alfred Master and J. Gonda analyzed the language of the Kuvalayamala in the 1950s.
  • Jules Bloch explored the relationship between Prakrit and Latin.

Study of Apabhramsha:

• Initially, Prakrit and Apabhramsha were not considered distinct, but Western scholarship brought about a clearer understanding of Apabhramsha as a separate language with its own literature.
• Richard Pischel edited the Deshinam-mala in 1880, arguing that Apabhramsha was a vernacular language used for literature. His 1902 book "Materialien zur Kenntnis des Apabhramsa" provided an independent analysis.
• Hermann Jacobi played a crucial role in bringing Apabhramsha texts to light. In 1914, he discovered and edited Bhavisayattakaha and the manuscript of Nemnath Charit, which stimulated Apabhramsha studies.
• L. P. Tessitori is highlighted as a significant foreign researcher of Apabhramsha, connecting it to Rajasthani and Gujarati.
• Sir George Grierson also contributed through his "Linguistic Survey of India" and articles on Apabhramsha.
• Further research in the 1930s and 1940s included works by Jacobi, S. Smith, and Ludwig Alsdorf, whose 1937 book "Apabhramśa-Studien" evaluated previous Apabhramsha research.
• After 1950, more Apabhramsha literature became available, leading to further scholarly editions and studies, with notable contributions from K. D. Veera and Alsdorf.
• Tsuyoshi Nara made significant contributions in the 1960s, studying Apabhramsha and Avahatta, and their relationship to proto-Bengali and New Indo-Aryan languages.

Study of Jain Literature:

• Western scholars did not limit themselves to linguistic studies but also delved into Jain literature, producing critical editions and translations of Jain Agamas, commentaries, and independent works.
• The text lists numerous Jain texts that were studied, edited, and translated by Western scholars from the 19th century onwards, including:
  • Abhidhana Chintamani (O. Böhtlingk)
  • Kalpa Sutra (Jacobi, Schüning)
  • Deshi Nam Mala (Pischel)
  • Acharanga Sutra (Jacobi)
  • Naya-Dhamma-Kaha (Stenhouse)
  • Pauamachariyam (Jacobi)
  • Bhavisayattakaha (Jacobi)
  • And many others, covering a wide range of Jain canonical and non-canonical literature.

Contributions to Other Areas of Jainism:

• Biographies of Jain Acharyas: Hermann Jacobi's work on Hemachandra is mentioned.
• Jain History and Archaeology: Scholars like D.C. Mancy studied Jain temples in Girnar, and G. Jouveau-Dubreuil highlighted Jain archaeology in South India.
• Jain Bibliography: A. M. Mounin is recognized for his work on Jain bibliography, including "Essai sur la Bibliographie Jain" and other related articles. Ernst Leumann also provided an introduction to Digambara Jain manuscripts.
• Comparative Studies:
  • Winternitz dedicated significant space in his "History of Indian Literature" to Jain literature, providing a comparative study of Jain narratives with other Indian and foreign tales.
  • Scholars also explored Jain philosophy, ethics, and comparative religion.

Centers of Jainology Study Abroad:

• The study of Jainology by Western scholars has been instrumental in its propagation in India and abroad.
• Germany: Free University Berlin has professors teaching Jain Literature, Mythology, and Art. Hamburg has scholars like L. Alsdorf actively involved in Jain studies.
• Belgium: Focus on Prakrit languages with scholars like J. Delw, L.D. Ray, R. Fohle, and A. Schayer studying Jainism and Prakrit.
• United States: University of Pennsylvania has research in Prakrit and Jain literature under Professor Norman Brown.
• Italy: Scholars like V. Pisani and O. Botto are engaged in Jain studies.
• Australia: E. Frauwalner is a noted Jain scholar.
• France: Louis Renou is involved in Indian studies, including Jainism.
• Japan: Jainology studies began alongside Buddhism, utilizing Chinese and Tibetan sources. Key figures include:
  • J. Suzuki: Authored "Jain Second Books" (Jainakyosciten) and translated Jain texts into Japanese.
  • E. Kanakura: Discussed Jain principles in his "History of Spiritual Civilization of Ancient India" and authored "The Study of Jainism."
  • Other Japanese scholars like S. Matsunami, H. Ui, H. Nakamura, and Yotak Ojihara have contributed through comparative studies, translations, and specific research on Jain doctrines.

Conclusion:

The text concludes by acknowledging that the provided overview is not exhaustive due to limitations of resources and time. However, it underscores the dedication, hard work, and objective approach of Western scholars in their contribution to Jainology. Their efforts have fostered a healthy environment for the study and teaching of Jainism in India and globally, leading to increased collaboration between Indian and foreign scholars.