प्रमाणवार्तिकम् (आचार्य धर्मकीर्ति - मनोरथनन्दि वृत्ति सहित बौद्ध न्याय महाग्रन्थ)

( viii )
edition has removed a painful desideratum. A serious
student of Buddhist Philosophy will now have the full
opportunity of making a first-hand study of this momentous
work, which brought about a revolution in Indian
Philosophy.
Dharmakīrti complained that the difficulties of his
work would make it a scare-crow and nobody will favour
it with a perusal. It would be as inaccessible as a deep
sea. But notwithstanding the difficulties and subtleties
of the work the scholars of India of all schools vied with
one another in accepting the challenge. Whether one
might be an admirer or a critic one had to establish his
credentials by proving his acquaintance with the text of
Dharmakīrti. It became a test of scholarship and gave
him the passport for admission to the higher ranks of
academic consummation. I trust that with the revival
of academic interest in Buddhist thought in our universities,
the ambitious students of Buddhist Philosophy will show
the same chivalrous spirit and take up the gauntlet thrown
by Dharmakīrti anew. The present edition of Dharma-
kīrti's work and that of the Tattvasaṅgraha will provide
them with the requisite arms. For this academic service,
the lovers of Buddhism will long cherish the name of
Swami Dwarika Das Shastri with feelings of gratitude.
The present atmosphere of indiscipline and quackery
must be a passing phase and the harbinger of redoubled
academic activities in the near future. The services of
scholars like Swami Dwarika Das Shastri will then be
rewarded with the keen appreciation born of understanding.
41, Babu Bagan Lane,
Calcutta-31.
Satkari Mookerjee.
Quondam Asutosh Professor of Sanskrit,
Calcutta University.
Whilom Director, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.
Govt. of Bihar.