Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
The treasure of Jain āgama literature is not only an authentic compilation of Lord Mahaveer’s spiritual preaching but in fact it is a live account of public conscience and social traditions prevailed in that broader section of time. From this view, Jain āgamas can be regarded as the encyclopedic literature possessing varied information.
The occasionally delivered preaching of Lord Mahaveer remained secure for a long period of time through the oral tradition of teaching (śruti-paramparā) but later they have been compiled and written down by scholarly Acharyas organizing synods as needed. In Vallabhi synod, the final structure of Jain agamic literature came out, which has continued till the date.
The tradition of writing different commentaries on āgamas was prevalent till 17 century. As a result, vast range of āgamic literature is available at present and seems to be an ocean of knowledge. Thus it is very hard to guess, up to what great extent the valuable jewels it is contained off. Apart from the philosophical, religious and spiritualistic contents, it also possesses vital information about various subjects like occult science, sculpture, poetics, dramatics, art, architecture, geography, grammar, astronomy, mathematics, entertainment, folk traditions and different kinds of rites etc.
At first glance, the specific feature of Jain agamas that appears before us is - the social concern. Preaching of Lord Mahaveer is for the common man of the society. As a result, the contents of agamas are centralized for the betterment of this world and the other world, for ascetics as well as the lay-followers.
The vast literature of Jain āgamas has been compiled and authored during the thousand years, in between 5 century BCE to 5 century CE So, it is contained of the vivid and different experiences of those thousand years, which have been presented to us by the compiler scholarly Acharyas. This is the reason that Jain āgamas have remained relevant at all times, at all places and for all the people.
This valuable research based book, 'Philosophical Contents in Jain Agamas' is authored by Samani Mangal Pragya, who is a reputed scholar of Jain philosophy from Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun. The in-depth study of this text will provide a vivid picture and authentic knowledge of the contents of āgamas. This text includes critical analysis of Metaphysics, Doctrine of Soul, Doctrine of Karma, Doctrine of Conduct. It also includes a chapter on the non-Jain philosophical contents available in the Jain āgamas. In and through these chapters, the scholar has tried to provide a philosophical presentation of āgamic contents.
To be an author, in itself is a great achievement and if the author is a 'Samani' (Jain nun) following strictly the doctrines and vows in her daily life, then it is the most honored state of being. Samani Mangal Pragya is not only a scholar of Jain philosophy but she is also a good student of Indian philosophy and literature. All the four stages of study i.e. to learn, to know, to act and to spread have been unified in her personality in their completeness.
I am quite confident that such an intellectual and spiritual author has produced this basic text which would help both fully fledged and contextual readers of Jain philosophy and assist in enriching their knowledge about Jain philosophy. My good wishes -
samanya racitarh prītyā, vimalarh ma—galākhyayā kalyānāya
satām bhūyad, grantharatnamidam bhuvi
[A Samani, by the pious name Mangal Pragya, has authored this text with immersed feeling of divinity. Let this text be for spreading divinity within the scholars and readers on this land.]
18 Feb. 2003
Abhiraj Rajendra Mishra
Vice Chancellor
Sampurnānanda Sanskrit University
Varanasi (U.P.)
