Shramanvidya Part 3

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shramanvidya Part 3," based on the provided catalog link and pages. It focuses on the content presented in the provided text, which is primarily an issue of the "Shramanvidya" journal from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.

Book Title: Shramanvidya Part 3 (श्रमणविद्या भाग - ३) Author(s): Brahmadev Narayan Sharma (Editor) Publisher: Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi Publication Year: 2000 (2000 V.S. 2057)

Overall Context:

"Shramanvidya Part 3" is a special issue of the university's faculty journal, dedicated to "Sanskrit Year" (संस्कृत-वर्षाङ्क). The journal aims to revive a publication that had been inactive for several years, making important research accessible to scholars. This particular issue is significant for including not only research articles but also critical editions of rare and previously unavailable "laghu-granthas" (short texts) translated from scripts like Roman, Sinhala, and Burmese into Devanagari. The journal was published during the Sanskrit Year declared by the Government of India (1999-2000 AD, Yugabda 5101).

Key Themes and Content:

The journal is a compilation of scholarly articles and critical editions focusing on various aspects of Shramanic traditions, particularly Jainism and Buddhism, as well as related Sanskrit studies.

I. Editorial and Foreword:

• Foreword by Vice-Chancellor Ramamurti Sharma: Expresses joy in presenting this revived issue, highlighting Professor Brahmadev Narayan Sharma's dedicated effort in bringing out this volume after a long gap. He emphasizes the importance of traditions in shaping history and praises Prof. Sharma for reconnecting these fragmented traditions. The Vice-Chancellor likens the journal to a blooming flower that will spread its fragrance widely, referencing Mahakavi Sriharsha's Naisadhiya Charita. He notes that this volume contains 18 essays and 6 short texts, published as a "Sanskrit Year Special Issue," symbolizing a "union of pearl and gold." He also mentions the university's various Sanskrit-related programs held during the Sanskrit Year, including honoring scholars and organizing conferences.
• Editorial by Prof. Brahmadev Narayan Sharma: Expresses pleasure in presenting this "knowledge offering" to scholars and researchers. He acknowledges the invaluable cooperation received from experts in Indology and thinkers. The editorial highlights the inclusion of rare and previously unavailable short texts that were previously only accessible in scripts like Sinhala, Burmese, and Roman. The journal's objective is to make these texts available in Devanagari, thereby aiding researchers. He expresses hope that the included research papers and texts will benefit the academic community, which had been deprived of the journal's publication for several years due to unavoidable reasons.

II. Research Articles (18 Essays):

The journal features 18 research articles covering a broad spectrum of Indological studies, with a strong emphasis on Buddhist and Jain traditions. Some of the highlighted topics include:

• Buddhist Studies:

  • The concept of "Mangala" (auspiciousness) in Buddhist literature (Dr. Brajmohan Pandey 'Nalin').
  • The relevance of Buddha's teachings in the present day (Prof. Vishwanath Banerjee).
  • The concept of "Kala-Tattva" (time) in Buddhist philosophy from the perspectives of Vaibhāṣika, Sautrāntika, Yogācāra, and Madhyamaka schools (Prof. Ramashankar Tripathi).
  • Humanitarian thoughts in Buddhism (Prof. Brahmadev Narayan Sharma).
  • Abhidharma and Madhyamaka philosophy (Prof. Thubten Chogdup).
  • The concept of Nirvana in Theravada Buddhism (Dr. Hariprasad Dixit).
  • The contribution of non-Buddhist trends to the rise of the Bodhisattva concept (Dr. Umashankar Vyas).
  • An evaluation of "Kavi-Shiksha" (poetic education) as a branch of "Kavya-Shastra" (poetics) (Dr. Rajeev Ranjan Singh).
  • Shobhakar Mitra's poetic vision (Dr. Kali Prasad Dubey).
  • The system of study and teaching of Buddhist philosophy in Nepal and its analysis (Dr. Ramesh Kumar Dwivedi).
  • Rules and education systems for "Shramanas" (ascetics) in ancient Buddhist monasteries of Bengal (Shri Sashipada Chakraborty).
  • The arrival of Buddhism and the Shramana tradition in Tibet (Shri Pema Garwang).

• Jain Studies:

  • The concept of Karma in Jainism (Dr. Sudip Jain).
  • The practical aspect of Jain ethics (Dr. Kamlesh Kumar Jain).
  • Jain Shramana tradition and the philosophy of Anekānta (Dr. Ashok Kumar Jain).
  • The origin, development, and scope of Prakrit narrative literature (Dr. Jinendra Jain).
  • Prominent Acharyas of Śaurasenī Prakrit literature and their contributions (Dr. Phoolchand Jain 'Premi').
  • Kashi and the Jain Shramana tradition (Dr. Suresh Chandra Jain).

III. Short Texts (Laghu-Granthamala) (6 Texts):

These are critical editions of rare texts, presented in Devanagari script:

1. Sachchasankṣepa (सच्चसङ्केप): Edited by Prof. Lakshminarayan Tiwari. This text, originally in Pali Gāthās and compiled in Roman script by the Pali Text Society, is presented for the first time in Devanagari. It clarifies that its Roman edition was not entirely accurate. The text deals with the entirety of Theravada Abhidharma.
2. Buddhosuppatti (बुद्धघोसुप्पत्ति): Edited by Dr. Virendra Pandey. A significant historical work in Pali prose detailing the life of Acharya Buddhadatta, who contributed significantly to the development of Pali literature. It's based on a Roman script edition from the Journal of the Pali Text Society, London (1892).
3. Kriyasangrahaḥ (क्रियासङ्ग्रहः): Edited by Prof. Ramashankar Tripathi. This is an authentic text on "Kriyā-Tantra," publishing a section on "Devatayoga" (worship of deities). It was originally edited by Hitoshi Inoue and published in Roman script from Japan.
4. Ṣaḍdarśaneṣu Pramāṇa-Prameyasamuccayaḥ (षड्दर्शनेषु प्रमाणप्रमेयसमुच्चयः): Edited by Kumar Anekanth Jain. This is an unpublished and rare small work by the Jain Acharya Anantavīrya (12th century). It aims to explain the Pramāṇa (means of knowledge) and Prameya (objects of knowledge) of all six Darshanas (philosophical systems) in a simple manner.
5. Saddabindu (सद्दबिन्दु): Edited by Dr. Surendra Kumar. A grammatical treatise composed of twenty Kārikās, created around 1250 AD for royal women. It is based on "Kātyāyana Vyākaraṇa."
6. Niraupamya Stava and Paramārtha Stava (निरौपम्य स्तव एवं परमार्थ स्तव): Edited by Prof. Thubtan Chogdub. These are rare works by Acharya Nagarjuna. Niraupamya Stava has 15 Kārikās praising the Tathagata with devotional words, mainly describing the Dharmakaya-swarupa-śūnyatā. Paramārtha Stava has 11 Kārikās, praising Buddha as the knower of Paramārtha or Śūnyatā. These are presented with an English translation and Hindi summary.

IV. Sanskrit Year Festival Reports:

The journal also includes reports on various events organized by Sampurnanand Sanskrit University during the Sanskrit Year (1999-2000 AD), such as:

• Three-day Sanskrit Journalism Seminar & Saraswati Sushma Golden Jubilee Celebration: Inaugurated by the former Kashi King, Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh, and presided over by Prof. Y.C. Simhadri. This event included honoring 25 prominent Sanskrit scholars and discussions on Sanskrit journalism.
• Four-day Six Darshana Seminar: Honoring 25 scholars out of the 200 planned. The inauguration was attended by Governor Suraj Bhan. The seminar also included the release of the book "Bhāratīya Darśana kī Cintan-dhārā" authored by the Vice-Chancellor.
• Three-day Shastra Seminar & Prachi Journal Release: Honoring 18 scholars, including Jagadguru Shri 1008 Rambhadracharya.
• Four-day All-India Shastra Discourse Series: Inaugurated by Justice Ranganath Mishra, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It included discussions and honoring of scholars.
• All-India Sanskrit Student Conference: Organized jointly with Sanskrit Bharati, featuring scholarly lectures, competitions, and award ceremonies.

Overall Significance:

"Shramanvidya Part 3" serves as a valuable contribution to Shramanic studies, bridging the gap in publication and making critical editions of rare texts accessible. It reflects the university's commitment to promoting Indological research and preserving ancient Indian traditions, particularly in the context of the "Sanskrit Year." The emphasis on Buddhist and Jain philosophy, along with the inclusion of original research and textual analysis, makes it a vital resource for scholars and students in these fields.