First Steps To Jainism
(Part-1) |
SANCHETI ASOO LAL
BHANDARI MANAK MAL |
Prefaces
Preface to First
Edition
Need has been felt for a small book in
simple English containing elementary knowledge of Jainism. Not only in the
West, where lately interest in Jainism has increased considerably, but
also amongst the younger generation of Indians knowing English, inquiry is
frequently heard about some such book-��Can you suggest some small book on
Jainism in simple English?��
No doubt, there are a number of books in
English on Jainism specially by German indologists and other western
scholars. Also some Indian authors like J. L. Jaini (Outline of Jainism,
published in 1916), C. R. Jain (Fundamentals of Jainism, 1916) and others
have written some good books on Jainism. However, such books are of a
level too high to be easily intelligible to a layman. These are learned
treatises following Jain sacred texts. These books assume that readers
have familiarity with and have considerable basic knowledge of the subject
of Jainism. This makes those books heavy reading for the beginners.
Similarly the language used in most of
such books contains more than a sprinkling of Prakrit or Sanskrit terms
relating to Jainism, the reason for which is not far to seek. It is
obviously difficult to find the exact equivalents of a number of Prakrit
or Sanskrit terms in English language. Thus Tirthankar, siddha, Dravya,
dracaena, karma, etc. are very difficult words to be exactly translated
into equivalent English terms. The result is that reading of such books
with heavy dosage of oriental terms becomes all the more difficult for a
layman.
Such books, no doubt, are very useful as
books of reference but do not attract the readership and these do not meet
the demand mentioned in the beginning of this preface.
The reader is further discouraged by
frequent references to ancient geography and mythology, which like
elsewhere, contain material that might appear simple hyperbole to the
unfamiliar and uninitiated reader. Further a mere collection and
presentation of facts, without relating them to context and without
indicating their place in the system, leaves the reader confused with a
hazy and superficial knowledge of Jainism, where grain is mixed with
chaff.
We have therefore, attempted to describe
all the important aspects of Jainism in simple language in brief
self-contained chapters, to provide elementary knowledge of the principles
of Jainism. Since the chapters are self-contained, some items may have
been repeated. The compilation has, therefore, been called First Steps to
Jainism, each chapter being called a step. Care has been taken to avoid
the shortcomings mentioned above, so as to satisfy rational inquiries
about the Jain view of life and to encourage further studies in Jain set
of beliefs and Jain way of life.
The plan of this effort is to cover the
significant features of Jainism-the metaphysical, ethical, theological,
philosophical-in two parts. First one, dealing with the preliminary and
essential features, is before you. This first part begins with
Groundwork-the first chapter, which as the name suggests-prepares the
ground for the study by giving a general idea for introducing the subject
of Jain religion to familiarize the reader. It gives a bird�s eyeview of
Jain tradition, its main tenets and teachings.
The subsequent five chapters called five
steps deal with the following aspects-
(i) Step One - Universe - The Six
substances (the Dravya)- This chapter contains a
brief description of the universe and its constituents according to Jain
metaphysics. The subject has been of considerable interest to all humanity
in all ages, and we propose to deal with this initially and show the
simple and logical approach of Jainism to the subject of the Universe and
its dimensions in time and space. The main constituents of the
beginningless universe according to Jainism, i.e., (1) the living beings,
(2) time, (3) space, (4) medium of motion, (5) medium of rest and (6)
matter are dealt with in this chapter. Attempt has been made to exhibit
that this Universe is a sort of stage on which the living beings (the
souls) and the non-living matter interact with each other with the help of
other four constituents.
(ii) Step Two - The Seven
fundamentals (The Tattva)-We take off from the
last chapter and in this chapter try to depict the detailed process by
which the interaction between the living (the soul) and the non-living
(matter) takes place and its different phases and aspects. The subject
forms the core or the fundamental sector of the Jain thought indicating
the path that should be followed so that the soul comes out victorious
from its struggle with matter, which is the ultimate aim and destiny of
the human soul. The procedure of interaction between the soul and the
matter includes influx of matter into soul, bondage of the soul, stoppage
of influx, destruction of the bondage and final liberation.
(iii) Step Three - The Three Jewels
(The Ratna)-For achieving the liberation of the
soul from perennial bondage and to enable it to discover its full power
and glory Jainism prescribes three fold noble path also known as Three
Jewels of Jainism: Right Vision, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. This
three fold approach is described in this chapter. It has been rightly
observed that right vision is the foundation on which the whole structure
of right knowledge and right conduct is built. Similarly, right knowledge
guides the conduct of human beings on the right lines.
(iv) Step Four - The Three Hallmarks
(The Lakshan)-The ethical part of Jainism is as
simple, as logical and as dignified as the metaphysical part. Actually it
shows the highest stage of civilization reached by man. In day to day life
Jainism prescribes adoption of non-violence, self-control and penance for
the sake of happiness in this life and in the next. The scope of these
hallmarks, the practicability thereof and their importance in day to day
life of individuals and the society is attempted to be explained in this
chapter. Indeed, these hallmarks of Jainism and the emphasis thereupon
have attracted much attention lately of all thinking world due to the
practical use to which Mahatma Gandhi put the concept of non-violence in
the solution of the problems in human affairs
(v) Step Five - The five worships
(The Panch Parmeshthi)-The Jain prayer to the
five supreme beings is another example of its catholicity and
universality. This prayer is elaborated in this chapter to throw light on
the qualities of the worshipped beings.
In part II we propose to deal with more
elaborate and advanced aspects of Jainism like Theory of Non-absolutism(Ane-kantvad),
Theory of causation(Karamvad), stages of Evolution (Gunasthan)etc. Both
parts when ready will be issued with notes, authorities, references and
bibliography in one Volume.
Before closing we request that this
endeavor should be viewed as an attempt at introduction of the subject
only with a view to encourage further study of this ancient religion. No
scholarship or authoritative approach is claimed by the authors, who are
beginners, and shall feel obliged to those who read this book and give
their suggestions to improve it. All this effort is built on the
inspiration and blessings of Gurudev who has initiated us on this noble
path. If there are any shortcomings that are noticed we shall be grateful
to be advised of the same and we tender profound apologies in advance with
folded hands(Michamidukaram).
Asoo Lal Sancheti
M.Com., LL.B.,I.R.A.S.
Retd.Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts
Officer,
Indian Railways
Former Member, Accounts & Finance,
Rajasthan State Electricity Board
Jodhpur Manak
Mal Bhandari
July 31,1984 B.Com.
Preface
to Second Edition
Before Part II of the Book could be
ready, first edition of Part I has exhausted. There being demand for the
Book, a second edition is being published in hard cover.
Jodhpur A.L.
Sancheti
July 31, 1989 M.M. Bhandari
Preface to Third Edition
The third edition of the book is before
the readers after five years since the second edition was published. In
the meantime Part II of the Book has been published in Nov.1994-Divali. In
this edition an additional feature has been included in the form of
thirty-two Plates giving a glimpse of Jain art-calligraphy, painting,
statutory, architecture and structures.
Our grateful thanks are due to Shriman
Shanti Chandji Sahib Bhandari from whose photographs and collection of
paintings, we have borrowed heavily for the plates' section. We are
thankful to other collectors and publishers from whom we have taken
material for some of the plates.
Jodhpur A.L.
Sancheti
Oct.1995-Divali
M.M. Bhandari
