Doctoral Dissertations In Jaina And Buddhist Studies

This document is a comprehensive bibliography of doctoral dissertations in Jaina and Buddhist Studies, compiled and edited by Dr. Sagarmal Jain and Dr. Arun Pratap Singh, and published by the P. V. Research Institute in Varanasi in 1983.

Key aspects and purpose of the book:

• Addressing a Need: The book was created to fill a significant gap in the field by providing a centralized reference for the vast amount of research conducted on Jainism and Buddhism in Indian universities. The editors highlight the problem of duplication and lack of coordination among researchers due to the absence of such bibliographical tools.
• Scope: It covers doctoral dissertations (Ph.D. and D.Litt.) related to both Jaina and Buddhist studies, including research in Pāli, Prākrit, and Apabhransa languages.
• Organization: The dissertations are meticulously organized into two main parts: Part I for Jaina Studies and Part II for Buddhist Studies. Within each part, they are further categorized into various subject-specific sections (e.g., Jaina Philosophy, Jaina Logic, Buddhist Schools, Buddhist Psychology).
• Content: The bibliography lists hundreds of dissertations, each typically including the author's name, the title of the dissertation, the university that awarded the degree, and the year of the award.
• Helpful Features:
  • An asterisk (*) indicates published works.
  • Languages of the theses are specified where applicable (otherwise assumed to be English).
  • Titles not in English are translated.
  • Sections are arranged chronologically.
  • The book includes a detailed index of scholars.
• Significance: The editors and publishers emphasize the immense contribution of the Śramanic traditions (Jainism and Buddhism) to India's philosophical, religious, literary, and cultural heritage. They advocate for the establishment of more research institutes to further study these traditions.
• Future Plans: The publishers express hope to publish a bibliography of research conducted abroad and subject indices of published works and articles on these subjects if the current effort is well-received.
• Acknowledgment: The work acknowledges the assistance of various scholars and institutions in its compilation, including Dr. Gokul Chand Jain and Dr. Damodar Shastri.

In essence, "Doctoral Dissertations in Jaina and Buddhist Studies" serves as a vital resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the extensive academic work done on these ancient Indian traditions. It aims to facilitate research by making existing scholarship accessible and highlighting areas that might still need further exploration.