Justice T.K. Tukol
In November 1973, I was pleasantly surprised by a kind letter from Dr. Ramesh S. Mehta, Vice Chancellor, Sardar Patel University, Vallabha Vidyanagar (Gujarat University) inquiring if I could undertake to write a book on Jaina Darśana as I had been recommended for the purpose by the Advisory Committee of the Trust for publication of books on the major religious of the world. I agree to undertake the work.
The main object of the Trust, as I understand, is to "Promote tolerance among the people following different creeds" by publication of books on the "basic tenets of the major religions of the world." I have therefore tried to expound the various tenets of Jainism with reference to the basic scriptures acceptable to the Digambaras as well as the Śvetāmbaras, besides clarifying some of the misconceptions about the antiquity of the religion and some of its fundamental doctrines. I have given in each chapter a free rendering of the relevant original verse on the subject under discussion, without doing any harm to its meaning and spirit- I have tried to discuss each topic with consistency, precision and clarity. It has been my endeavour to present the essence of the tenets of this great and very ancient religion as dispassionately as possible without exaggeration so as to ensure a correct understanding of its philosophy. My object throughout has been to achieve authenticity in the presentation of doctrines. It is for the readers to assess the extent of my success in this task.
My primary thanks are due to the Trustees of the Publication Committee and to the former Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr. Ramesh S. Mehta who gave me the opportunity of writing this book. I must record my profound sense of gratitude to late Dr. A. N. Upadhye, M.A., D.Litt., Head of the Department of Jainology and Prakrit in the University of Mysore (Karnataka). He was an eminent research scholar of international repute, He has contributed not less than a century of original and learned research papers to various Oriental Journals. He has also edited and published more than 25 ancient scriptures with comparative studies of different manuscripts and with erudite introductions. He was the chief Indian delegate representing Jainism to the World Conference of Religions and Peace held in 1974 at Leuven in Belgium. Even amidst his busy schedule of work, he was kind enough to spare his valuable time to go through the manuscript and make very useful suggestions including an appropriate title to the book: "Compendium of Jain ism." He has also graced this book with an invaluable and generous foreword.
I sent the original manuscript of the book to the Sardar Patel University in May 1975 hoping that the book would be published during the 2500th year of Nirvana of Bhagavān Mahāvīra; but the book saw the light of the day only in 1978 as the Rules of Trust required the book to be published in Gujarathi only, after being translated into that language.
I was keen that the book in its English text was published by some other University. Hence, I requested Dr. R. C. Hiremath, the then Vice-Chuncellor of the Karnatak University, Dharwad, to consider if his University could undertake publication of the book in English- He readily accepted my request. I am grateful to him for his kindness and to his successor in that office Shri S. S. Wodeyar for evincing continued interest in its publication. I offer my sincere thanks to Sri Chennaveera Kanavi, Director of Prasaranga of the University, not only for his prompt and efficient execution of the work but also for relieving me from the labour of correcting proofs to avoid delay in printing and publication. I have no words to thank Prof. G. Mahadevappa who voluntarily undertook to correct the proof, as a labour of love which is indeed a favour to me.
I must also mention the name of my eldest son Sri Bahubali T. Tukol, B. E. (Hons), as he spared no pains in looking after the typing of the manuscript of the book and carrying out typing corrections.
I shall feel amply rewarded if the book enlightens its readers on the basic tenets of Jainism whose doctrines of Ahīmsa, Aparigraha and Anekāntavāda have an abiding interest in solving the modern problems and in spreading the spirit of universal brotherhood and tolerance of other creeds with equal respect and breadth of vision.
Bangalore-11
September 22, 1980
T. K. Tukol
