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SAINTS

“Resist ploy to divide in the name of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist”
Jain Muni Acharya Vijay Ratnasunder Surishwar Maharaj interviewed

With the message that if ‘will power of Saints’ and ‘executive- power of politicians’ come together the face of the country will change, noted Jain saint Acharya Vijay Ratnasunder Surishwar Maharaj is observing chaturmas in Delhi. So far he has authored more than 200 books. Shri Surishwar Maharaj is against the attempts to divide Hindu society in the name of Jain and Buddhist. He exports the people against sex education in schools, meat exports, providing eggs in mid day meals and imposing tax on charitable trusts. About religious conversation, he does not totally blame the missionaries for it, he also blame the Hindu society for neglecting its own people.

Is there any special objective to observe this chaturmas in Delhi? - Yes, I have come here to exhort Delhiites on several issues that are making shallow the roots of this country. The people sitting in the power are working against the psyche of the nation. The logic given behind serving eggs to over 12 crore children in mid day meals is that we are providing them protein. Whereas in its health bullet in-23, the government has itself stated that groundnut has more protein than fish, meat or eggs. If just protein has to be given, why is the groundnut not given? I want the people of Delhi to force the government to withdraw eggs from the mid day meal. I feel this is an effort to take non-veg food in all families. It is an attack on the entire culture and values of this land. I fail to understand as to why people are silent over this important issue, which is demanding the very roots of education.

Another issue is sex education in schools. In fact, it is an effort to instigate minor children for untimely sex. First imparting sex education in the age of 10 years and then telling them to wait till the age of 21, is ridiculous. When Vinoba Bhave was asked about it, he had said, “it is not the subject of teaching, time and nature teach everything.” It is an effort to corrupt the 110crores population of the country to benefit certain vested interest. Before proceeding in this direction, we must have looked the result of the sex education in Britain and other western countries where girls of 13-14 years are found pregnant and abortion centers have to be opened in school also. This condition will develops in our country also if we let it continue. The dignity of relation between mother and father, husband and wife and brother and sister will spoil. Sheel, sadachar and sanskriti are the three “temples” of this country and there is a conspiracy to eliminate them newspaper are no longer family papers. If there is a censor board for films, why is there no such board of T.V. and newspaper? The beauty pageants are being held even at the apartment levels. Not a single Rani Jhansi born in our country since 150 years but three months Miss World have been won within a few years. What a joke!.

I am also agitated over the meat exports, which started in 1992 for earning foreign exchange of rs.2,000 crore. But despite having enough reserve of foreign funds today, it is continuing unabated. About two crore cattle are slaughtered every year for earning this “foreign exchange”. Today we earn the foreign exchange of over rs.110,000 crore from software, rs.75,000crore from textile ad rs.50,000crore from jewelary. Even after the suggestion of supreme court to ban the export of meat, the government is giving 28 per cent subsidy to the people who slaughtered cows, but nothing to help those who are trying to save the cattle. The usefulness of the cattle has been proved by the science and the cattle are useful for a man till they breath their last. Both rishi and krishi are the target in the country. If there are no cattle, what is the use of agriculture? The government has imposed 30 per cent tax on charitable trust. We want that goshalas, blind schools, old- age ashrams, etc. which are working for humanity, should not be taxed at all.

A united force is needed to counter there threats, but today there are efforts to divide the society in the name of the Jain, Buddhist, etc. claiming that they are not part of Hindu society. What do you think?

I am of the firm opinion that Jains are part and parcel of the larger Hindu society. But this is also a fact that we have a separate identity as Jains. No Jain saint for years has ever asked for segregating Jains from Hinduism. On the other hand some Hindu leaders an saints have started treating us as separate show me one instance when we said to get separate from Hindus. I tell all Jains to get themselves counted in the census as Hindu.

The majority people in the country want to live with peace. But there is a section that always talks about Islamic terrorism and allegedly help terrorist. How should the peace-loving people live together?

A positive atmosphere has to be developed in the country. Those who spread hatred should be dealt with an iron hand. There are two ways- one leads to friendship and the other leads to violence. Ninty percent people want to live with peace. Only one or two percent are creating problems.

But how to deal with these one or two percent people? - The constitution has provisions to deal with them. We also need to change their hearts if we can.

There is controversy over singing to vande mataram comment. - It is not the question of just singing vande mataram. When difference develop, even a minor issue turns into a major issue. We do not think of removing these are Muslims in the country who want to undo even the partition of the country. The commission want to live with peace, but certain forces always try to create disturbance and those forces should be dealt strictly.

What are your views on seadeshi? - Today, there is not even a single politicians that can be regarded as an ideal in the public life. The common man thinks about swadeshi. But the politicians have not only opened doors for multinational companies, but are also promoting them. The mail culture has taken a new turn in America where people are being administered an oath to purchase only the essential things and not to get trapped in the net of mail- owners. Americans have understood that mails would make them beggar. Despite such awareness among Americans, we are promoting that culture in our country. When one talks about closing the slaughter-house, one is told that lakhs of people would lose their employment. But while building the mails the same people forget that they are going to render crores of people jobless.

What do you say about conversion? - I do not totally blame the missionaries for it. It is our weakness. We are not providing those who should have been provided with employment, clothes and meals. We forget our own people in our own country. It is natural that if we fail to fulfill their essential needs, they will go to others. Our weakness has become missionaries’ strength. Before blaming others we should look at ourselves. When one is hungry, he will embrace any god. No preaching can prevent him. We must observe ourselves. Why do the educated and wealthy people not convert? The reason is that neither do they like the missionaries’ god, nor do they hate their own god. They want meals and clothes. If we wherever they can get them. Courtesy: Organiser and Jain Muni Acharya Vijay Ratnasunder Surishwar Maharaj

ACHARYA MAHAPRAGYA TO BE STATE GUEST OF RAJASTHAN GOVT.
The Government of Rajasthan in a special circular, has informed that Acharya Mahapragya, head of the Jain Shwetambar Terapanth sect will now be enjoying the status of a "State Guest" in view of his undertaken ahimsa yatra and continuing the same for another three years.

JAIN SAINT CHINMAY SAGAR INSPIRES TRIBALS TO AVOID ALCOHOL
Inspired by a Jain saint over one thousand residents of Bagoda village, near Indore, accepted to avoid drinking alcohol and non-vegetarian food. Houses were decorated to give the village a festive look. Bagoda, situated in the scenic Choral area, had been virtually cut off from the mainstream all this while. Jain Muni Chinmay Sagar, who remains cut off from the world doing penance in the Choral forests, used to come down to the village for a brief ‘darshan’. These brief interactions with the muni metamorphosed the village inhabitant by poor tribals. The total population of the village is about 1200 and only 25 persons have passed 10th class while 14 have passed out 12th. Somebody brought these changes to the notice of the Collector Vivek Aggarwal, who directed his staff to start development work to improve the condition of the village. Within a week, the roads were repaired, three hand pumps, which were non-functional, were repaired by the PHE department and every house where power supply had been disconnected for non-payment of bills were restored connection after the Jain Samaj agreed to pay the bills. With the tribals mending their ways, officials are hopeful that the money saved would be used by tribals for education of their children. Tribals from neighboring villages, who are also expected to follow suit, were present during the pledge.

SAINTS MEET AT TUMKUR CALLS FOR UNITY AMONG COMMUNITIES
Tumkur: Jain muni Sri Tarun Sagarji, several religious leaders and heads of various mutts expressed deep concern over threat to Hinduism and resolved to foster it in a broader perspective by involving the people of every community, at the Virat Hindu Samajothsava held here. Sri Rudrakshimunideshikendra Swamiji who hails from a mutt of dalit community while inaugurating the meet gave a call to the people to unite under the Hinduism to fight the social evils and terrorism. Jain muni Sri Tarun Sagarji observed that the country had been undergoing the onslaught of the Western culture promoting materialism. Creating awareness among the masses about how to safeguard the culture of the country is the need of the hour, he said. Siddaganga mutt seer Dr Sri Shivakumara Swamiji recalled his association with late RSS leader Madhava Sadashiva Golavalakar (Guruji) who had visited the mutt thrice. RSS leader Dr Prabhakar Bhat stated that the RSS was committed to build Ram temple at Ayodhya at any cost. He gave a call to Hindus to unite for the cause irrespective of the communities.

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & EVENTS

JAINA CONVENTION 2007 - REGISTRATIONS OPEN
The 14th Biennial JAINA Convention will be held from July 5 to July 8 2007 at New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ. On line registration for JAINA Convention 2007 is now open. Please log on to www.jaina.org. You may take advantage of early bird registration which ends on January 31. Invitation from : Dilip V Shah, Convenor, 2007 JAINA Convention.

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON YOGIC TRADITIONS OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE JAIN YOGA - The inauguration of the three-day International Seminar on Yogic Traditions of India with special reference to the Jain Yoga (7–9 Dec) and presentation of the 11th Acharya Hemachandrasuri award was held at India International Centre. Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi, and Shri Jain Shwetamber Nakoda Parshwanath Teeth Trust jointly organized this Seminar. To read further click here.

YOUNG JAIN PROFESSIONALS CONVENTION HELD AT LOS ANGELES, USA - The 9th Annual Young Jain Professionals convention was held in Los Angeles, CA on October 15 and 16. The convention began with an impressive recitation of the Navkar Mantra by Ameet Shah and an introduction of the YJP Executive Board. Next morning began with a meditation session. Then came a presentation, Discovering the Gift of the Wound. by Aqueela Sherrillswho began by sharing his life story as a gang member in his teenage years and the journey that led him to dedicate his life to end gang violence. Please click here to read further.......

JAIN'S MEGA INTERNATIONAL MULTI-TRADE FAIR AT MUMBAI FROM 4th TO 7th JANUARY, 2007 - Inspite of the micro size of the Jain population, the leadership in trade and commerce has made its recognition world-wide because of the skill, knowledge, cutting edge competence, fellowship spirit and highest ethical as well as moral standards. The International Trade Fair, being organised at Mumbai from January 4th to January 7th shall showcase for the first time, the multi-dimensional business activities from all over India as well as almost 40 countries of the world. It shall providing tremendous opportunities for the Indian businessmen to display their products and services and establish business contacts for promoting and enhancing business endeavors.

The entire fair is being organised by Jains and shall be open to all other visitors. The fair is being organised in conjunction with the second International Conference of Jain Businessmen and Industrialists at N.S.E. Complex, Goregaon (East), Mumbai. It is spread over an area of 2,70,000 sq.ft. of fully air-conditioned hall/conference area. More than 700 stalls of world-wide jain businessmen, representing trade, industry and services are being put up. For further details about stalls and other information, contact JITO; Phone: +91-22-66102003 / 2004. E-Mail: contact@jito.org Web site: www.jito.org

INTERNATIONAL INDOLOGY CONFERENCE AT GOA FROM 1ST TO 10TH FEBRUARY, 2007 - The theme of the conference on Indology is "Ancient Wisdom Brought to Modern Times- Pathway to Higher Consciousness" For details, please contact Dr. Anjali Mohan Rao, Convener, International Indology Conference, Goa. Address: GIRIVAR, Opp.Dhempe College, Miramar Beach, Post-Caranzalem, City-Panaji, Goa 403002 INDIA Phone: 0091-832-2462195 Cellphone: 0091-9422057786 / 0091-9422062910, website: www.indologygoa.org

SECOND ANNUAL NEW YEAR PREKSHA MEDITATION CAMP BY JVB LONDON
JVB invites participants to attend the second Annual New Year Preksha Meditation Camp (3days camp) in London. The camp is organized by Jain Vishva Bharati London with the blessings of Acharya Mahapragya and under guidance of Samani Prasanna Pragya and Sambodh Pragya. For details, see www.herenow4u.de

SECOND YOUNG JAINS OF INDIA CONVENTION
The 2nd Young Jains of India (YJI) Convention concluded on 16th December with a high note with two key revolutionary resolutions that are expected to transform the Jain community in the coming future. The key resolutions passed as a part of the convention are: “To exhibit humanity and compassion in all fronts by denying dowry system and practicing ahimsa by not promoting abortion”. The resolutions read out by the National Chairman of YJI Manish Kasliwal emphasised that persons practicing dowry and encouraging abortion will be denied from being members of YJI. Youths and dignitaries present at the convention accepted this resolution unanimously and there by setting the ball roll for a new era in the Jain community. Courtesy: www.herenow4u.de

JAIN DOCTORS MEET HELD AT SAMMET SHIKHARJI
All India Digambar Jain Doctors Forum organised recently the second conference of Jain doctors with the cooperation of 'Muni Praman Sagar Ji Chaturmas samiti' at Sammet Shikhar Ji during the chaturmas period of Muni Praman Sagar Ji Maharaj there. The conference was held with the blessings Acharya Shri Vidhya Sagar Ji Maharaj and in the presence of Muni Sri Praman Sagar Ji. Apart from a large number of doctors coming from different parts of the country to attend the conference, many ministers, central and state government officials and dignitaries were also present.

INDIAN VEGETARIAN CONGRESS TO HOLD NATIONAL CONFERENCE AT CHENNAI ON 12- 14 JANUARY - The Indian Vegetarian Congress, which is devoted to vegetarianism, compassion and humanitarian causes is going to hold its national conference on the occasion of its golden jubilee at Chennai on the 12th, 13th and 14th January, 2007. The venue for the seminar, exhibition and vegetarian food competition to be held on 12th and 13th January is Raja Muthaiya Hall and Rani Mayamine Hall and the venue for vegetarians award programme on the 14th January is Music Academy, TTK Road, Chennai. For further details, please contact Mr. Vijay K. Bafna, Chief Secretary. Phone: 044-28293106. E-Mail: bafna@bafnaindia.com or E-Mail : ivc@indveg.com

ELEVENTH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF KARUNA INTERNATIONAL AT BIKANER
The 11th national convention of Karuna International will be held at Bikaner in Rajasthan on the 29th and 30th December, 2006 in Tolaram Bafna Academy, Ganga Nagar. Representatives and office-bearers from 21 centres of Karuna International, principals and head masters of different schools in which Karuna clubs have been formed and scholars and educationists from different states would be participating in the convention. The progress of different clubs established by Karuna International would be discussed and a review of the activities carried out in the past year would be made. Karuna Clubs, spread over a number of states in southern, western and northern part of the country have been working with the cooperation of schools and colleges to create consciousness amongst the students and teachers about developing love and affection towards each other, sense of compassion and kindness towards poor and needy, protection of animals and birds and protecting our environment and ecology.

$ 60,000 RAISED BY DANCE PERFORMANCE FOR ANEKANT COMMUNITY CENTRE, CALIFORNIA - A spectacularly vibrant rhythmic dialogue between Kathak maestro Chitresh Das, 62, and Emmy Award-winning tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith, 26, mesmerized the audience at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center here Dec. 3 and raised about $60,000 for the new Anekant Community Center, founded in 2005 by the Jain Center of Southern California.

The ACC, aimed at expanding its services beyond the borders of race, religion and country, found an apt fundraising vehicle in the show, India Jazz Suites, which brought on a unique stage performance arts of the East and the West: the time honored, stylized, classical tradition of Kathak, itself a blend of Hindu and Muslim cultures, alongside the quintessentially American tap dance, based on African American rhythms and influenced by many other styles. Together, the show underscored the universal reach of art and performance.

"The phenomenal growth of the Jain Center necessitated the separate entity of ACC. The word Anekant, a cornerstone in Jain philosophy, signifies multiplicity of views and the multiple facets of living, and under its banner, we will be conducting health fairs (two are already slated in February and March 2007) as well as expansive activities in education and culture," Dr. Nitin Shah, president of ACC, told India-West. "ACC plans to take a medical mission to Zambia in May 2007. We are working on rehabilitating numerous Kashmir earthquake victims by fitting them with prosthetic legs and arms in Karachi, and here at home we recently gave free CPR certified training to 108 people last mon