Agama And Tripitaka A Comparative Study Of: Lord Mahavira And Lord Buddha (Set Of 3 Volumes)

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This English version of Acharya Nagrajji's book Agama aur Tripitaka: Ek Anusilana' presents an exhaustive study of the Agama, also known as Ganipitaka of the Jains and the Tripitaka of the Buddhists, putting together some common topics. The author has tried his best to safeguard the diction of this work from the niceties of a pure literary work on the one hand and of dull philosophy on the other. For this work Acharya Nagrajji was awarded D.Litt. by Kanpur University and Murti devi Award by Bhartiya Jnan Pith, New Delhi.

Studying the history and traditions of both the Jains and Buddhists, Volume One surveys all the accessible materials and provides authentic information about the life and times of Mahavir and Buddha, with special reference to their Nirvana.

Volume Two deals with language and literature. Besides references of Yask, Panini, Katyayan and Patanjali, Acharya Shri has produced illustrations and conclusions from Greek, Latin and Hebrew languages. He has referred to Vedic, Bodh and Jain ideologies with critical evaluation. In addition to exposing the short-sighted attitude of religious doctrinaires towards languages, he deals with geographical, historical and cultural backgrounds of ancient languages. Also, Acharya Shri makes a comparative and meaningful discussion on Digamber and Shwetamber beliefs with regard to divine language Ardh Magadhi, Prakrita and Agama scriptures, as also he provides critical analysis of phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax.

Volume Three covers philosophy and ethics. It highlights the best traits of human beings, such as righteousness, truth, non- stealing, good conduct, simplicity, purity, kindness, penance, renunciation, softness, humility, selflessness, contentment, non- possession, fraternity, universal brotherhood, equanimity, equality of living beings and control over sensuousness. It also provides deep insights into the legendary of Agama and Tripitaka traditions. Generally, all the religious expositions seek expressions through emulative examples like folktales and imaginary stories.

I have never favoured a language on the basis of a region or a state. Rather, on account of its all-pervasiveness, I had always been a protege of the English language. Though English is not the only language of the world, yet it is the most prominent one. When I term it as most prominent. I mean that it has more readers as compared to all the other languages.

Late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan once said to me, "You people write books in Hindi alone without calculating as to how many people in the world can read and write Hindi. Non-Hindi-speaking states outnumber the Hindi-speaking ones". He further remarked, "I am not the only scholar of Indian philosophy in the country. But I am more popular in the world than any other Indian scholar because all my works have been in English only."

It gives me great pleasure to note that the English edition of my work 'Agama aura Tripitaka, Vol. I' is with its learned readers. Though its Hindi edition was published long ago, I am confident that in the realms of English language it is bound to evince same degree of novelty and freshness as it once did in the field of English language.

A long chain of events have intervened between the translation and publication of this work which can be summed up as follows. Some of the chapters of the work were translated into English by Muni Mahendra Kumarji (II). These chapters were about to be published as separate books. Late Upadhaya Muni Mahendra Kumarji (I) of Calcutta got rest of the chapters translated into English by Prof. K.C. Lälvānī. Thus, both Muni Mahendra Kumara Jī (1) and (II) are associated with the work from the editing of the Hindi edition to the translation of the English edition.

During the Delhi Caturmäsya of Acarya Tulasi, task of publication of the book began with the consent of Acarya Ji under the over all guidance of Muni Mahendra Kumarji (II) through Sri Rajendra Kumāra, Director of the "Today and Tomorrow's Publications. As far as editing and making improvements is concerned Muni Mahendra Kumara Ji (II) shouldered all the responsibility then. When the project was almost near its completion the events took a fateful turn. A situation of separation came in.

The apple-cart was upset. The publication came to a standstill. The situation forced me a separation from my work.

**Contents and Sample Pages**