Bhagawan Mahavir Research Center was established in 1984 in
the renowned Educational Complex known as `Shravika Sanstha Nagar' in
Solapur city mainly
(i) to conduct research in Jaina
Religion, Philosophy, Ethics, Literature, History, Society and other
aspects of Jaina Culture,
(ii) to bring out the contributions of
Jaina Religion and Society to Indian culture and
(iii) to encourage advanced studies in
different branches of Jainology.
This Research Center was extremely
fortunate as it was inaugurated in a special function by Siddhanta
Chakravarti, Acharya Munishri Vidyanand Maharaj, the reputed Scholar-Saint
of India, in the angust presence of many learned scholars assembled from
different parts of India for participation in the "National Seminar on
Research in Jainology" organized by the Research Center to synchronize
with its inauguration ceremony.
It is heartening to note that the
Research Center has got a very well-equipped library of old manuscripts,
sacred texts, canonical works, research journals and rare books in
different branches of Jainology. The Research Center has also started
various programs like publication of books and journals, organization of
seminars and workshops, distribution of research and travel grants,
provision of library and study facilities etc. Again as a part of nation-
wide celebration of 2000th Anniversary of Acharya Kunda Kunda's during
1988-89 the Research Center arranged to publish in England and to
distribute free the new critical edition in English of Acharya
Kunda-Kunda's standard work Niyamasara. Further, the Research Center has
now made available to the scholars the modern study-room facilities in the
newly built spacious and impressive building of "Dhyana Swadhyaya Mandir"
in the Educational Complex area.
Recently the Research Center launched an
important project of publishing a new and useful Series of Monographs
dealing with different significant aspects of research studies in various
branches of Jainology. It is really a matter of great satisfaction that in
this series the first Monograph written by eminent Sociologist and
Jainologist Dr. Vilas Sangave on the concept and practice of Ahimsa in
Jainism is being published under the title "The Jaina Path of Ahimsa". It
is pertinent to note here that Dr. Vilas Sangave has to his credit a
number of standard research publications of Books and Papers on Jaina
Society and Religion and that his several books have not only secured
international recognition but have also got the distinction of being
quoted as authority by reputed scholars all over the world. It is,
therefore, hoped that his new Monograph entitled "The Jaina Path of
Ahimsa" would be found useful both by the academicians and the general
readers as well.
It is our ardent desire to see that this
Series of Monographs on Jainology is continued in right earnest and that
the Monographs on different important aspects of Jaina Studies specially
written by reputed scholars in the field are published as soon as possible
for the benefit of persons interested in the study of various branches of
Jainology.
Sumatibai Shah
Founder-President,
Bhagawan Mahavir Research Center
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