The original German
edition 1 of the present work, for which in July, 1914, the degree old
Doctor of Philosophy was conferred upon me by the University of Bonn,
appeared in print in May, 1915 (published by Otto Harrassowiz, Leipzig).
That small edition was completely sold out in 1919; a new issue is not to
be expected because of the high cost of printing at the present time. It
has given me great pleasure, therefore, that through the munificence of
Mr. Jivanlal Pannalal, Bombay, I am in the position to make my work
accessible to the friends and admirers of Jain Philosophy in an English
edition. The text of the English translation is, in general, a
reproduction of the German original; only here and there I considered
slight alterations and improvements to be necessary. From books that have
appeared since the publication of the German edition I have been able to
use only the following:
Jagmanderlal Jaini, M.A.,
Outlines of Jainism, Cambridge, 1916. Dr. W.Kirfel, Die Kosmographie der
Inder, Bonn, 1920.
Dr. Walther Schubring,
Das Mahanisha-Sutta, Berlin, 1918. Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson, The Heart of
Jainism, Oxford, 1915.
I have not been able to
take advantage of works published since 1914 in India, because they are
not accessible to me.
The difficulty which
besets a European in penetrating into an intricate Indian philosophical
system may have been the cause of many a detail requiring supplementary
correction. I would feel deeply obliged to Jain scholars if they would
kindly communicate to me remarks which serve the enlargement of the
knowledge of Jain Philosophy, so that I can utilize them in my further
studies in this field, so little explored hitherto.
To the Rev. Dr. Robert
Zimmermann, S.J., Professor of Sanskrit, St.Xavier's College, Bombay, I am
thankful for his friendly assistance in the publication of the English
edition; to Mr. G. Barry Gifford for the trouble undergone and zeal shown
in undertaking the difficult task of translating this work.
17 Bendler Strasse,
Berlin, Dr. HELMUTH VON
GLASENAPP
February, 1921
Privatdocent an der Universitat Berlin
