Institute of Jainology Organises the Prayer Meeting  
for 
loss of lives in London bomb blasts  

Institute of Jainology arranged a Prayer meeting on 7th August at Canons High School Edgware on behalf of the UK Jain community to show the community's solidarity with the local community and revisit the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavira. The prayer meeting was attended by representatives of all major sects of Jains in the UK as well as civic leaders and all were given an opportunity to express their views. The meeting was opened by Mr Jaysukh Mehta who welcomed the congregation and thanked them for their attendance on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The opening Jain prayer of Navakara Mantra was recited jointly. Mr Brian Pearce, Director of Inter Faith Network, UK, was invited to light the tradition lamp in front of the picture of Lord Mahavir. The first expression on behalf of the Institute of Jainology, for the whole Jain community, was presented by the Hon. Secretary of the Institute, Dr Harshad N Sanghrajka. After some preliminaries and a detailed explanation of the Jain tenet of AHIMSA or non-violence as espoused by Lord Mahavir in 6th century BCE, Dr Sanghrajka presented a resolution on behalf of the Jain community which was adopted unanimously.

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT:-
"The entire Jain community joins the Prime Minister and the peoples of this country in condemning the brutal acts of violence carried out in central London on Thursday, 7th July, 2005. It is against the tenets of Jainism to harm any living being, for whatever reason, and hence such an act of terrorism which took the lives of over 50 people, including at least two Jains, and injured scores of others is beyond the pale of Jain philosophy, and, is denounced outright. 

"This congregation prays for the eternal peace of the departed souls of all denominations, and for the speedy and full recovery of those who were injured.

"This congregation presents heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all the victims, dead or injured, here and abroad.

"This congregation requests the peoples of all faiths to remain calm and not to generalise the attitude of a few individuals as that of any particular ethnic community. At the same time, it would be against the tenets of Jainism not to urge the Metropolitan Police and all the other authorities concerned to take appropriate action against all those who are involved in such culpable activities.

"This congregation puts on record its appreciation of the Metropolitan Police and all authorities involved, for their prompt action in ensuring the comfort of those who suffered from these events, and encouraging peaceful co-existence amongst peoples of all faiths.

PARASPAROPAGRAHO JIVANAM is the motto of the Institute of Jainology, which means that all souls render service to one another, and are interdependent. "

The following speakers then presented their expressions and were all in agreement with the Jain philosophical expression and the resolution which was presented.

1.Mr Andrew Dismore Member of Parliament for Hendon 
2.Mr Brian Pearce Director, Inter Faith Network, UK
3.Cllr Keekira Thammaiah Ex- Mayor, Harrow Council, Deputising for the Mayor
4.Cllr Navin Shah Leader, Harrow Council
6.Officer Livingstone Metropolitan Police
7.Cllr Marilyn Ashton Harrow Council
8.Mr Kaushik Shah Representing Oshwal Association 
9.Dr Kirti Shah Representing Navnat Vanik Association
10.Dr Vinod Kapashi Representing Mahavir Foundation
11.Mr Mangilal Baid Representing Jain Vishwa Bharati
12.Mr Sawan D. Shah Representing Young Jains, UK
13.Ms Cllr Vina Mithani Councillor, Harrow Council

At the end of all the expressions, Mr Kaushik Khajuria, with his accompaniment of musicians, recited lilting prayer songs from the Jain litany which were most appropriate for the occasion.