प्रकाशकीय

Summary

This PDF is a publisher’s note from the Digambara Jain Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahavirji, located in the Hindaun sub-division of Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan. The site, dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, is described as a unique center of public welfare activities in India. One of its key initiatives is the propagation of Lord Mahavira’s teachings to dispel ignorance and guide beings toward the right path. To further this goal, the management committee established the “Janavidya Sansthan” some years ago. This institution began publishing a half-yearly research journal called “Jainavidya,” of which nine issues have been released. The tenth and eleventh issues are being published as a special “Kundakunda Special Issue,” a source of great satisfaction for the committee. The text explains that Acharya Kundakunda, whose real name was Padmanandi, is a revered figure in the Mula Sangh Digambara Jain tradition. At a time when Vedic sacrifices and violence were rampant, and women had lost their status, Lord Mahavira traveled and preached peace. His chief disciple, Indrabhuti Gautam Ganadhara, compiled his teachings into twelve Angas. Acharya Kundakunda was the first to commit a portion of this oral tradition, related to spiritual and ethical conduct, to writing. The text asserts that without his efforts, Mahavira’s teachings might have been lost. Therefore, after Mahavira and Gautam Ganadhara, Kundakunda is remembered with gratitude. A two-thousand-year celebration was held worldwide to honor him and promote Jain culture. This publication is a small contribution to that effort. The issue features writings from various scholars, and the editor expresses thanks to all who assisted in its editing, publication, and printing.