संपादकीय
By Anupam Jain
Summary
This editorial introduces the third year, first issue of *Gyan Deshna* (January-June 2010), focusing on science in Jain scriptures. It highlights the rare saint Upadhyaya Muni Shri Gyan Sagar Ji Maharaj, who upholds the 28 and 25 fundamental qualities of a monk and preceptor while addressing contemporary religious and social needs. The editorial argues that the scientific thought within Jain Agamas should be presented to the academic community. It critiques the narrow interpretation of "Vitrag-Vijnan" and defines science as a consistent understanding of nature's laws, including the art of living in harmony with nature as taught in Shravakachars. The science of the soul's existence, development, and transformation into the supreme soul is termed spiritual science. The editorial warns that focusing solely on material science without ethical values leads to anomalies, citing the misuse of nuclear fission for bombs, environmental degradation from resource exploitation, global warming, ozone depletion, and melting glaciers. It advocates for green science and environmentally friendly technologies like biodegradable plastics, solar energy, and water recycling. The text notes that ancient sages explored nature's mysteries, embedding knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, and environment in their works. In 1995, a national symposium on Jain science was initiated in Saharanpur, followed by efforts in Gwalior, culminating in a well-organized symposium in Indore on September 23-24, 2008, under the guidance of Gyan Sagar Ji Maharaj. The symposium featured five sessions and ten research papers. This special issue publishes eight of those papers and five additional articles, totaling thirteen articles along with summaries of addresses. The editorial expresses gratitude to contributors and collaborators, aiming to bring the publication back on schedule, with the next issue planned for July 1, 2010.
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Conclusion
This editorial underscores the urgent need to bridge ancient Jain wisdom with modern scientific inquiry, particularly in addressing contemporary environmental crises. By highlighting the ecological devastation caused by unchecked materialism—from ozone depletion to glacial melt—the text argues that Jain principles of non-violence and sustainability offer viable solutions. The documented 2008 national symposium in Indore, which brought together scientists and Jain scholars, represents a critical step toward integrating spiritual ethics with green technology. The publication of 13 research papers in this special issue demonstrates a concrete outcome: the validation of Jain texts as sources of scientific knowledge in fields like mathematics, Ayurveda, and environmental science. Moving forward, this interdisciplinary dialogue could reshape how we approach global challenges, promoting technologies that prioritize ecological harmony over mere convenience. The editorial’s call for reader feedback signals an ongoing commitment to refining this synthesis, with implications for both academic discourse and practical policy-making.