Auspicious Wishes from Dr. Samani Pratibha Pragya

Résumé

The Ācārāṅga-sūtra is widely regarded as the earliest and one of the most significant texts within the Jain canonical tradition. This foundational scripture articulates the profound principle that “knowledge is the soul, and the soul is knowledge”(ĀS, 5.104), pointing to the inseparable relationship between consciousness and cognition. Knowledge, according to this vision, is not an external acquisition but an intrinsic and persistent quality of the soul. What is preserved in writing thus transcends the moment of its composition, carrying insights forward for generations and ensuring continuity in the transmission of wisdom.

In this enduring spirit of preservation and renewal, Samyak: An Undergraduate Journal of Jain Studies has been established under the editorship of Dr. Leah Kalmanson, Bhagwan Adinath Professor in Jain Studies at the University of North Texas. Though modest in its beginnings, this journal represents an initiative effort in the field of Jain Studies, offering undergraduate students a platform to engage in research, reflection, and dialogue. This initial step may well serve as a basis for future scholarship, nurturing a new generation of inquiry and ensuring that the study of Jain philosophy, practice, and culture continues to flourish. May the leadership of JERF continue to support the light of knowledge across the university sphere.

Dr. Samani Pratibha Pragya 
Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor 
Department of Religious Studies
Florida International University