Founded by Mahatma Gandhi on 18th October, 1920, as an institution of higher learning, the Gujarat Vidyapith (G.V.) has been constantly striving to work through Education, towards a Society based on the principles of non-violence and 'Sarvadharma Samabhava' (Respect for all religions). The objects of the Gujarat Vidyapith among other things prescribe:
There shall be complete toleration of all established religions in all institutions connected with the Vidyapith, and for the spiritual development of pupils, knowledge of religion shall be imparted in consonance with truth and non-violence.
The teaching-research and extension programmes of the G.V. are wedded to this integrative aim. In early years after it's foundation, the Gujarat Vidyapith has had the distinction of the services of the great scholars of Jainism and Buddhism, like Muni Jinavijayaji, Pt. Sukhlalji Sanghavi, Pt. Bechardas Doshi, Prof. Rasiklal C. Parikh and Acharya Dharmanand Kosambi. Their outstanding research works which were published by the Gujarat Vidyapith continue to stimulate the rising generation of scholars in their studies on Jainism. Punjabhai Granthamala was instituted in 1928 for this purpose with an endowment of Rs.25,000, under which 22 works were published. Publications of Prakrit Kathasamgraha by Muni Jinavijayaji, Prakrit Vyakarana, Bhagawan Mahavirni Dharmakathao, etc. by Pt. Bechardas Doshi, Sanmati-Tarka-Prakarana and Tattavartha Sutra by Pt.Sukhlalji are worth-mentioning in this context.
Establishment of the International Centre for Jaina Studies (1993) through a permanent endowment, is a major step for strenghtening the tradition of teaching and research in Jaina Philosophy and Culture. The Centre is developing an integrated interdisciplinary approach towards the academic discipline of Jaina Studies. The teaching-research programmes being offered by the Centre since the academic year 1993-94 include Parangata (M.A.), Anuparangata (M.Phil), Vidya-Vachaspati (Ph.D.), Vidya-Varidhi (Post Ph.D. D.Litt) in Jaina Studies, along with short term vacational courses in various fields of Jainism, particularly for international visiting students and scholars. A Resource Centre in Jainism with computerised Data Base in also being developed for the benefit of the scholars and the community.
My aim in preparing the present booklet has been to make an humble contribution to one of the most significant schools of Indian thought, viz., Jaina Philosophy. Like other thinkers of India, the Jaina philosophers have also contributed to the field of epistemology. The Jaina thinkers have defined knowledge as the essence of soul. The soul has other characteristics also, but the Jaina thinkers always emphasized knowledge as the chief characteristic possessed by the self.
The knowledge or cognition of an object can be of two kinds: either it is restricted to the grasping of the object in its existential generality which is called indeterminate cognition, undifferentiated knowledge or apprehension, or it grasps the object with its individual attributes which is called determinate cognition, differentiated knowledge or comprehension. The present work gives an authentic account of various sub-divisions of these two kinds.
I am thankful to the authorities of Gujarat Vidyapith for publishing this booklet. My thanks are especially due to Prof. Madhu Sen, the Director of the International Centre for Jaina Studies, for taking keen interest in its publication.
Hindu (1810)
Philosophers (2353)
Aesthetics (320)
Comparative (72)
Dictionary (12)
Ethics (52)
Language (355)
Logic (85)
Mimamsa (60)
Nyaya (139)
Psychology (530)
Samkhya (61)
Shaivism (67)
Shankaracharya (234)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Visual Search
Manage Wishlist