Pramanmimansa

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pramāṇamīmāṁsā" by Acarya Hemacandra, based on the provided pages:

Overall Context:

The text is "Pramāṇamīmāṁsā" (An Inquiry into Epistemology) authored by the renowned Jain scholar Acarya Hemacandra. The provided pages offer a glimpse into the second edition of this work, published by Saraswati Pustak Bhandar, Ahmedabad. It includes contributions from scholars like Pandita Sukhlal Sanghavi (who edited and provided Hindi commentary), Pandita Mahendrakumar Shastri, and Pandita Dalsukh Malvania. The text is considered a significant contribution to Jain logic and epistemology.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Introduction and Editorial Remarks:

   • The initial pages express joy and gratitude for the publication of the second edition, highlighting the work's significance in providing Hindi commentary alongside the original Sanskrit text.
   • Pandita Sukhlal Sanghavi, the primary editor, shares his initial encounter with the text and his commitment to its accurate representation. He also acknowledges the contributions of others and mentions previous editions.
   • The importance of comparing Jain philosophical concepts with those of other Indian schools (Buddhism, Hinduism) is emphasized.
   • A tribute to Acarya Hemacandra and his profound philosophical insights is evident throughout the introductory sections.

2. Acarya Hemacandra and Pramāṇamīmāṁsā:

   • Hemacandra is described as a "Kalikālasarvajña" (Omniscient of the Kali Yuga), indicating his immense scholarship and influence.
   • "Pramāṇamīmāṁsā" is presented as his final work, a highly respected treatise on Jain logic and epistemology.
   • The text delves into the core principles of Jain philosophy, particularly regarding valid means of knowledge (pramāṇa), the knower (pramātā), and the knowable (prameya).

3. Structure and Content of Pramāṇamīmāṁsā:

   • Internal Structure: The text aims to provide a clear analysis of the internal and external aspects of "Pramāṇamīmāṁsā" and its place within Jain logical literature. It discusses the Jain perspective, its unchanging nature, the limits of pramāṇa, and the extent of prameya.
   • Jain Perspective (Jaina Drishti): Jainism is characterized as predominantly realistic (vastuvādī) despite its inherent non-absolutist (anekāntavādī) nature. It acknowledges the reality of both empirical and transcendental truths, unlike some schools that consider the empirical world illusory.
   • Unchanging Nature of Jain Perspective: The text highlights that Jainism's realistic outlook has remained consistent throughout history, unlike certain Buddhist and Vedantic schools that underwent significant shifts towards non-realism or absolute monism.
   • Pramāṇa Shakti (Power of Pramāṇa): The text discusses various views on the scope and nature of knowledge-acquiring faculties, categorizing them into five perspectives: sensory-dependent (indriyādhipatya), non-sensory-dependent (anindriyādhipatya), both sensory and non-sensory (ubhayādhipatya), scriptural authority (āgamādhipatya), and denial of all valid means (pramāṇopalava). Jainism aligns with the "ubhayādhipatya" view, acknowledging the validity of both sensory and non-sensory knowledge.
   • Pramāṇamīmāṁsā's Place in Jain Logic: The text traces the evolution of Jain logic through three eras: Āgama, Sanskrit Introduction (Anekānta Establishment), and Nyāya-Pramāṇa Establishment. "Pramāṇamīmāṁsā" is seen as a product of the third era, aiming to synthesize and systematize existing knowledge with a unique Jain perspective.
   • Acarya Hemacandra's Contribution: Hemacandra is credited with synthesizing a vast body of knowledge from various Jain and non-Jain sources, presenting it in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner. His work is noted for its scholarly depth, comparative analysis, and original insights. He is described as having a profound understanding of Grammar, Rhetoric, Poetry, and Lexicography, which is reflected in the sophisticated language and structure of his philosophical works.
   • External Structure: The text is written in sutra style, following the chapter and āhnika (section) divisions found in canonical Nyāya works. The language is praised for its precision, elegance, and clarity, free from excessive ornamentation.
   • Pramāṇa Classification: The text meticulously defines and categorizes pramāṇas, including:
     • Pratyakṣa (Direct Perception): Further divided into Mukhya (Primary/Pure Perception, like Kevala Jñāna in Jainism) and Sāṁvyavahārika (Empirical Perception, involving sense organs and mind).
     • Parokṣa (Indirect Perception): Classified into Smṛti (Memory), Pratyabhijñāna (Recognition), Ūha (Inference/Reasoning), Āgama (Testimony/Scripture), andanumana (Inference), though the exact classification might vary slightly in details within the text.
   • Critique of Other Schools: The work engages in critical analysis and refutation of the epistemological views of other Indian philosophical traditions (Buddhism, Nyāya, Sāṁkhya, Mīmāṁsā, Cārvāka).
   • Detailed Definitions: The text provides detailed definitions and explanations of various cognitive processes, such as Avagraha, Ihā, Avāya, and Dhāraṇā, which are crucial stages in empirical perception according to Jain epistemology.
   • Theories of Pramāṇa Validity: It discusses the debate on whether the validity of knowledge is inherent (svataḥ) or derived from an external source (parataḥ).
   • Anekāntavāda, Nayavāda, and Syādvāda: While not explicitly detailed in the provided snippets, the underlying philosophy of these core Jain concepts is implicitly present, shaping the nuanced approach to knowledge and reality. The commentary by Pandita Sukhlal likely elaborates on these aspects extensively.
   • Biographical Information: The introduction also includes biographical details about Acarya Hemacandra, his life, his association with kings like Jayasingh Siddharaja and Kumārapāla, and the intellectual milieu of his time.

4. Commentary and Appendices:

   • The Hindi commentary (Bhāṣāṭippaṇa) by Pandita Sukhlal Sanghavi is highly valued, offering clarification, historical context, and comparative analysis with other philosophical systems.
   • The appendices (Pariśiṣṭa) provide valuable resources such as the source text of the original sutras, comparative analysis of sutras with other texts, lists of special names and technical terms, and citations.

Significance:

"Pramāṇamīmāṁsā" is a cornerstone of Jain epistemological literature. It represents a systematic and rigorous inquiry into the nature of knowledge, aiming to establish the validity and comprehensiveness of the Jain approach to understanding reality. The work's detailed analysis, critical engagement with other schools, and the detailed commentary provided in this edition make it an indispensable resource for scholars of Indian philosophy and Jain studies.