Remember Nalanda, Taksheela or Vikramsheela? These were the universities which made India "Vishvaguru". Teachers of these universities taught wonderful doctrines which guided the then public administrations, economy, culture and the society at large. Large numbers of talented overseas students used to come to these universities to enhance their knowledge and enlighten themselves with Indian wisdom.
We all know that India was not only teacher of the world at that time but also the most wealthy and mighty state in the world. Knowledge and wisdom brought the wealth and power. Philosophy and spirituality governed all these.
Jainism is an old and powerful religion enriched with its vast literature. We posses immense treasure of art and sculpture in beautiful Jain temples. We have astonishing architecture of Ranakpur, oldest miniature paintings in Kalpasutra and lucid languages likes of Ardha- Magadhi and Shaursheni Prakrit.
We have traditions of Tirthankars and their descendants; monarchs likes of Shrenika, the Bhambhasara, Kharvel and Kumarpala; Ministers such as Abhaykumar, Udayan and Bhamashah; Merchants likes of Dhanna, Shalibhadra, Khema-Dedrani and Jagat seth.
However, we failed all the above mentioned to bring forth into limelight. The world at large knows a little about Jain and Jainism, its philosophy, culture, literature.... and so on. We have not done enough to establish Jainism as a scientific religion.
We endeveour to establish a Jain Research and Study Center at Jaipur which will take shape with time as an university like Nalanda, Taksheela or Vikramsheela. We can hope that this university will serve to the mission to achieve our goals.
Sri Jain Shwetambar Khartar Gachchh Sangh is all set to go with its goal... Your cooperation solicited.
Thanks,
Jyoti Kothari
