Science In Jainism

Mahavira's teachings on non-violence are well known. There are a considerable number of books on Jain thought and culture. There are not many books available on Jainism and science and research in the field of science is advancing continually. Philosophical schools having relevant of scientific thought in their literature should review their concepts and doctrines in the light of modern science. During recent years some of the theoretical physicists have made a valuable contribution to the field of Cosmology. I was tempted to give shape to this book after reading 'A brief history of time' by Stephen Hawking. I felt that various concepts of the Jains could be understood now in a better and logical way in the scientific context.I have tried to give readers different aspects of Jainism, which may provide a critical perspective, and a three-fold relevance for present day scientific thought under the following heads:

1. The Philosophy of Nature.
2. The Philosophy of Science.
3. The Sociology of Science

 The chapters on 'Anekant' and 'Sellakhana' are representative of the philosophy and religion of the Jains. The chapters on the 'Eight point centre of Universe' and the "Universal space' are based on Jain Cosmology. The Jain Agamic literature is so vast and archaic that any final judgement on the concepts contained in it is difficult. The same is the case with modern science where new researches provide with new inferences. However, it is my sincere hope that this book will help the general reader to know about the relevance of science in Jainism.

I acknowledge my gratitude to Acharyashri Mahapragyaji, the fountain of Jain scholarship at the present period who has been kind enough to write a few words of blessing. I pay my respects to Upadhyaya Shri Maniprabhsagarji who has done me a favour by writing the foreword of this book, I am extremely grateful to professor R.P. Bhatnagar who has checked the language edited of the text and I shall fail in my duty if I do not acknowledge my wife Mrs. Gulab Gelra for the constant inspiration. For inaccuracies or misinterpretation of any part of the text, the responsibility is fully mine.

 
I am sincerely thankful to the Vice-chancellor, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun for publishing this book.

Dr. M.R. Gelra
Professor Emeritus
Jain Vishva Bharati Institute
Ladnun