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TEMPLES
The ancient ruins of Champaner-Pavagadh will now share the world stage with the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat of Cambodia and the Pyramids of Giza. This unique collection of historical ruins, lying 48 kilometres from Vadodara, has made it to the Unesco’s list along with two other sites from India — the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus better known as the Victoria Terminus (VT) at Mumbai and temples from the Chola dynasty at Tanjavur. With this, Unesco will work with the Indian government and residents of the respective regions to preserve the sites and promote them the world over. In fact, the Central government is bound by a treaty to maintain and preserve the site. Speaking from the ancient Chinese city of Suzhou, where the World Heritage Conference was held recently, Indian committee member and Vadodara-based architect Karan Grover said this was the first time that three sites from India had made it to the list. "Champaner was the only fresh entry this year. "Of the other two, the terminus was a deferment that was confirmed this year while the Chola temples were an extension." The decision to put Champaner-Pavagadh on the list was a unanimous decision taken by all the 21 countries with voting rights of which India too is a member. Interestingly, the site had been sent for nomination by an NGO, the Heritage Trust of Vadodara, which Grover heads. "This is a big victory for us as it is for the first time that a privately promoted site has made it to the list," Grover added. Champaner has been included despite tough competition from a number of other countries. Nothing less than 48 proposals had come up before the members, but the only other country to put three sites on the list was host China. Experts say that Champaner-Pavagadh is one of the most important archaeological, architectural, historical and also a religious site in the country. It is spread over six kilometres, most of it buried. Of its 120 identified monuments, 36 are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India . Researchers have even put this site at par with Fatehpur Sikri and Hampi, which have already made it to the list. In fact, one of the most unique aspects about the site is it has archaeological remains from the late Stone Age, Jain temples from the 10th and 11th century and Mughal architecture from the 15th and 16th century. Annually nearly 22 lakh visitors come here but very few are aware of its historical importance. Most people go to the Kali temple at the top of Pavagadh. Sources say that the government along with Unesco will now have to work out a comprehensive strategy for the site as it will now attract a large number of international tourists. This also becomes important as Champaner-Pavagadh is one of the very few living sites in the country where people reside within the protected area. NEW BHAGWAN ADINATH TEMPLE ON JAIPUR DELHI HIGHWAY
Close to Delhi ( about 50 kms ) on Jaipur Delhi Highway a new Digambar jain temple complex is coming up fast. This is a dream project of Pt. Dharam Chand Shastri, a renowned Jain Pratisthacharya & scholar. The idol of Bhagwan Adinath, which has already been installed is supposed to be the tallest ( 27 ft. height & 70 tons in weight ) in the whole of India. The statue has been placed on 35 ft. high platform on 15 Feb. The construction work at the temple site is going on for last many years. The first phase of the work is nearing completion. It took almost three days for two 160 ton cranes to lift the huge statue and place it on the platform. When fully complete this institution will provide multifarious services not only to jain community but also to villagers of the area and to all the highway travelers in distress. Main facilities at temple complex will include a rest house for saints, devotees, library, nursery level village school, dispensary, ambulance and emergency doctor.
Panchkalyanak Pratishtha puja will be performed from 20th April to 30th April 2008. The pratishtha programmes will be attended by thousands of devotees from all over India and abroad. The project is started under the name of Manav Shanti Pratisthan a registered NGO with Govt. of India, both Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Finance. All Jains from Delhi and passing through Delhi - Jaipur Highway ( N. H. 8 ) are invited by the trust to visit the temple complex. Address : Manav Shanti Pratisthan, Bilaspur Chowk, Toll Tax Plaza, Delhi Jaipur National Highway, No. 8, Distt. Gurgaon, Haryana, Tel : 0124-2018176, 93-1283-7240. (Give size of idol, its material, names of trustees etc. if known). RAJASTHAN GOVERNMENT RELUCTANT TO EXECUTE SUPREME COURT ORDERS ON KESARIA JI TEMPLE ISSUE
As reported in the earlier issues of Ahimsa Times (see Jan. 08 issue), Hon. Supreme Court of India, after considering all the facts of the case had declared verdict that Kesariaji temple belonged to Jain community and it may be handed over to them by the Rajasthan Government, which has been under its control for many years. This order was passed by the Supreme Court on the 4th January, 2007 e.g. more than an year ago. The Government of Rajasthan in pursuance of these orders, had constituted a committee but even after one year's period, the State Government has not taken any action to hand over the temple to Jain community. In the mean time, it is now understood from the report appearing in the press that Rajasthan Government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court praying for a complete review of the judgment on the plea that the State government does not accept that the temple belongs to Jain community only. The claims of other parties have also to be considered. In the light of this writ petition filed by the State government and taking advantage of the situation, the Brahmin community of Kesariaji, a group of temple priests and then the local Adivasi community have all filed their separate petitions for consideration of their claims. The members of Jain community, irrespective of their sect, panth or gachh, must come together and put up their case, as strongly as possible.
PRECIOUS IDOLS BEING REGULARLY
STOLEN FROM JAIN TEMPLES IN THE COUNTRY
THEFT REPORTED IN JAIN BASADI AT
PUTTUR According to the police inspector of Puttur Town thieves gained entry into the Basadi by forcing open the side door and later broke open the door of the inner rooms and stole a headgear and some chains and bangles. They also have stolen a silver. BHOJSHALA CLAIMED BY JAIN COMMUNITY AS A JAIN MONUMENT
JODHPUR: Jain Samata Vahini, which had earlier claimed that a Jain temple existed at the disputed site in Ayodhya, has now demanded handing over of the controversial Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque structure in Madhya Pradesh to the Jain community claiming that the monument was a "Jain Chaitya-Sthal" and not a Hindu temple. "The monument called Bhojshala was one of the several Chaitya-Sthals constructed by Raja Bhoj during his rule between 1000 AD and 1053 AD under the influence of a Jain Acharya" the outfit's National General Secretary Sohan Mehta and chief Spokesman Kailash Raj Singhavi claimed in a statement here. The executive committee of the vahini, which held its meeting presided over by former Rajasthan High Court Judge, S. R. Bhandari here on June 6, demanded immediate handing over of Bhojshala to Jain community. 7th CENTURY IDOLS OF JAIN GODS & YAMRAJ OBTAINED AT SIRPUR
Archaeologists in Chattisgarh claim to have discovered 7th century idols of Yamraj, the Lord of Death in Hinduism, astride a buffalo and Tirthankar Supasharvanath, a divine figure of Jain faith. The excavation of lands in search of the Jain monuments is being carried out at Sirpur in Chhattisgarhs Mahasamund District. "This idol is made of metamorphic rock, which is found in Mahanadi and I found it at a distance of 30-40 feet from the place where I am standing. It is in two parts and a part of a big pillar of some temple. It has a female structure on one of its side and structure of Yamraj sitting on a he-buffalo on the other side, said Arun Kumar Sharma, an archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India. These idols are believed to be dating back to the seventh century. "I think this idol belongs to 7th or 8th century, when Jains were in power in Sirpur and Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism had ample patronage from the Kings. We have a number of Jain monuments also," Arun added. Archaeologists hope the latest finding will enable them to uncover the ancient history of Digambar Jains in the region. (ANI) Courtesy: Sarathi, Sirpur (Chhattisgarh), Posted by Mahavir S. Chavan. SIXTEENTH CENTURY JAIN BASADI RENOVATED
Mangalore: The “Chowta Rani Ullal Abbakkadevi Basadi”, a place of worship for Jains, has now been renovated. It is said to be more than 500 years old. The basadi, with artistically carved statues of “Parshwanatha” and “Adinatha”, had remained unknown to the people for several decades. Despite that, the stone structure of the sanctum has weathered the vagaries of nature. Situated close to the Arabian Sea and Ullal’s market, the basadi is said to have been built by the Banga dynasty in the 16th century. Jains believe that Abbakka Rani used to offer prayers at the basadi. With the extinction of this dynasty, it is said to have been abandoned by the people. M. N. Rajendra Kumar, president of a committee formed for the renovation of the basadi, said that earlier attempts to bring back the glory of the basadi had failed. The Dharmadhikari of Srikshetra Dharmasthala, Veerendra Heggade, took the initiative to renovate it. The committee took up the construction of a walkway around the basadi and “Kshetrapala” temple, and structures in its exterior, with funds raised from people. Addressing presspersons he said that the first panchakalyana mahotsav would be performed under the leadership of Bhattaraka Charukeerthi Mahaswamiji of Jain Math of Moodbidri. Several religious leaders are expected to participate in the programme. 1800 YEARS OLD TERRACOTTA PLAQUE BEARING IMAGE OF 19th TIRTHANKAR MALLINATH FOUND ON EXCAVATION AT JESSORE IN BANGLADESH
Archaeologists have discovered an 1,800-year old terracotta plaque bearing the image of the only female Jain Tirthankar Mallinath, at Damdampir of Manirampur upazila in Jessore, Bangladesh. According to Shihabuddin Mohammad Akbar, Director of the Khulna regional office of Archaeology Department, Mallinath was the daughter of Kumbharaja of Mithila and Prabhavati. Mallinath was 19th of the 24 Jain Tirthankars, he said. A report in The Daily Star says that though the Khulna office of the Archaeology Department discovered the rare terracotta piece after digging a large mound of earth at the site, it was kept a secret for security reasons. "We did not immediately disclose the facts about this particular discovery for security reasons," said Shihabuddin Mohammad Akbar, director of the Khulna regional office of Archaeology Department. Besides the seven-inch-long red sandstone terracotta image of Jain Mallinath, more antiques including earthenware from the 200-year-old Jain dynasty were discovered at the site. Archaeologists expect that more antiques will be found at the site where digging work is still going on. (ANI) [Posted by Mahavir S. Chavan] A SHWETAMBAR JAIN TEMPLE IN PUNJAB- A SYMBOL OF COMMUNAL HARMONY
Jain Swetambar Temple in Zira town in Punjab’s Ferozepur District is visited by Sikhs and Hindus, besides Jains. For the villagers, the temple is looked upon as a place of worship where one can offer prayers anytime. “Sikhs have bonds with people of all religions, including Muslims and Hindus. Though we pray in a Gurudwara, we also visit temple and mosques,” said Swaran Singh, a villager. A few Jain families in Zira look after the temple, but pilgrims and saints of various faiths and religions visit this temple. “We have visited Gujarat, Maharastra, Saurashtra, Rajasthan and Punjab. Punjab holds a special attraction for us. One gets the true picture of love and affection here. Be it a Sikh, a Jain or a non-Jain, all meet together like brothers and sisters. Forgetting caste and religion, each one behaves like a human being. Each one here spreads love among the people considering it as a duty,” said Jain Sadhvi Priya Dharma. The temple was constructed in 1890. The paintings on the walls of the temple speak of the ancient Jain culture and history. It is named after the 23rd Tirthankra Parsavnathji Maharaj. The main idol is believed to be one of most sacred and ancient. Vijayanand Suriji Maharaj, the first guru of the ‘Mandir Margi’ sect of the Swetambars was born here in 1837. He advocated the worship of idols. Maharaj, who was also a scholar poet and a social reformer of his time, performed the holy ‘partishthas’ ceremony at this temple in 1896 A.D. While the Jains make up only 0.4 per cent of the country’s population, their contribution to culture and society in India have been considerable. (ANI) Courtesy: By Ravi Khandelwal. SAINTS SWAMI RAMDEV SEEKS BLESSING FROM DIGAMBAR MUNI PULAK SAGAR JI
Feb 10, Silvasa, Gujarat. Swami Ramdev paid a surprise visit to Muni pulak Sagarji & Muni Prapti Sagarji maharaj and expressed his deep respect for jain religion & its meditational systems. Swami Ramdev also informed Jain Muni, how pranayam can cure his kidney related problems. Jani Munis are presently at Silvasa to conduct Prah Pratisha Panch Kalyanak & expected to move Ahemdabad to attend Mahaveer Jyanti Programmes.
CONFERENCES & CEREMONIES
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS ACHARYA HEMACHANDRASURI AWARD GOES TO DR. SHRIRANJAN SURIDEV
Dr. Shriranjan Suridev has been awarded 12th Acharya Hemachandrasuri Award for the year 2006 on Saturday, 9th February 2008 in a graceful function organized by Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology at Delhi. This Award is being presented every year since 1995 to a scholar of Prakrit Language and Literature, a lasting language of Ancient India. The Jain Canons and other literatures were written in this Language. The Award contains a Cheque of Rs. 51,000/-, a gold plated idol of Acharya Hemachandrasuri and a citation. Jaswanta Dharmarth Trust, New Delhi sponsors this award since 1996 under the auspices of Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi. On this day Dr. J. B. Shah, Director, L. D. Institute of Indology spoke on the Life and contribution of Acharya Hemachandrasuri in the prestigious Acharya Hemachandrasuri Lecture Series No. 4 organized by BLII every year. The Chief Guest, Mr. A. K. Rath, I. A. S. Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource & Development presented the award to Prof. Ranjansuri Dev in this function. Prof. Rath appreciated the activities being carried out by the Institute. Prof. Namwar Singh presided over the event. In his speech he enforced the Jain community and Executives of North Gujarat University, Patan to establish a Chair in the name of Acharya Hemachandrasuri so that further researches could be done in the specific field of Prakrit Studies. He has also stated that Dr. Jitendra Shah has presented the first complete Monograph on Acharya Hemachandrasuri in Hindi. The program was anchored by Dr. Balaji Ganorkar, Director of the Institute. News Courtsey : Mr. Gaurav Jain, E-Mail : gauravejainyji@gmail.com
JAIN WOMAN BECOMES BELGAUM MAYOR SHAILESH LODHA TO BE HONOURED BY RANA (USA) WITH RAJASTHAN GAURAV TITLE
Mr. Shailesh Lodha, a voracious speaker, eminent Hindi poet, comperer of poet's meets and a management guru, belonging to a Jain family from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, has earned name and fame for himself not only in the home country but also in USA, England and several other countries having rich N.R.I. population for his highly interesting entertainment programs on different TV channels. Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) has decided to honour him with the award of "Rajasthan Gaurav" on the 22nd March, 2008 at a Hindu temple auditorium in Long Island in the NY state of USA. Mr. Prem Bhandari, Media Chairman of RANA informed that Mr. Lodha has contributed immensely in the field of art and culture through his humorous and satirical poems and features presented during conferences and on TV programs. JEWELS OF JAIN WORLD AWARD TO MR. RAVINDER JAIN
Jain World Foundation, USA has announced the 2007 'Jewels of Jain World Award'. This award is conferred on Mr. Purshottam Jain and Ravinder Jain of Malerkotla, Distt.: Sangrur (Punjab), for their outstanding and historical service to the cause of Jainism by bringing Jain literature in Punjabi language for the first time in history. About 45 books regarding Jainsim in Punjabi language are in their credit. Evaluating their enormous effort in the field of writing Jain World Foundation USA had declared both of the writers as "Jewels of Jain World" for pioneering Jain Literature. On the occasion of Acharya Tulsi Memorial Lecture organised by Guru Gobind Singh Department of Religious Studies in collaboration with Parmarthik Shikshan Samstha, Ladnun held at the senate hall, both the writers received award from the auspicious hands of Dr. Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor Punjabi University, Patiala. Dr. Singh presided the programme and praised the endeavor of both men who achieved such a great honor as Punjabi Writer. All of their books are available on www.jainworld.com web site.
ELLIS ISLAND AWARD TO DR. DHIRAJ H.
SHAH
A RARE FEAT- SURVIVING ON BOILED WATER AND SUN LIGHT FOR 411 DAYS
AHMEDABAD: As already reported earlier briefly in this news-letter, a 64-year-old Gujarati mechanical engineer went without food for 411 days, providing some food for thought to American scientists. Kozhikode-based Hira Ratan Manek survived only on boiled water and sunlight from January 1, 2000, to February 15, 2001, causing Americans to wonder if they could develop a technique to enable astronauts to go without food for long periods. Impressed by his logic-defying feat, a team of eight US doctors and scientists, including an ophthalmologist, a neurologist, an ayurveda expert, an acupuncture specialist, a yoga researcher and a psychiatrist is now examining him. Eminent neuroscientist George Brainard, whose research on the effects of light on the human pineal gland is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is also in the team. Mr. Manek was invited to the US in June under ‘Project HRM’ to study his fasting technique. The team is studying ‘subtle energies’ under ‘Experiments with Solar, Thermal and Hydro Enegetics in Human Subjects’. Currently at Wilmington, Delaware, Mr Manek has been fasting for more than two months and has established his genuineness, posing a challenge to conventional science and concepts about the limits of human tolerance to hunger. “US doctors have completed the first part of the three-phase study, thoroughly examining his body with the latest equipment. The second phase of fasting is on,’’ said city-based neuro-physician Sudhir Shah, who has been appointed adviser and consultant to the US team. A number of volunteers is helping the US team by undertaking similar fasts under a specially-developed protocol facilitating similar studies in the US and India. A panel of 20 doctors headed by Dr Shah had monitored Mr Manek’s fast in Ahmedabad. The panel also included general practitioners Prakash Doshi and P.G. Shah, surgeon K.K. Shah, endocrinologist Navnit Shah and neuro-radiologist Gargeya Sutariya. They had scanned his body with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the fast, in addition to a plethora of other tests. “Perhaps his body is undergoing ‘chronic adaptation’, learning to survive on very few calories as compared to the 1,800 calories a day required for normal persons.’’ He said the most amazing part of Mr Manek’s feat was that he was physically active and carried on all normal activities during his fast. “On the 404th day of the fast, he climbed Palitana hill (to reach a Jain temple). And he was found to be faster than many who were eating plenty,’’ he said. THE HINDI GRANTH KARYALAYA, A 96-YEAR OLD LITERARY LANDMARK FOUNDED BY PANDIT NATHURAM PREMI
The long brass chain—with bells at both ends—hanging at the middle of the Hindi Granth Karyalay’s entrance has been serving a dual purpose for the last 40 years. Since the stairs leading to the shop are steep, the chain helps the aging customers climb up. While its jingles, as if unwittingly, announce the arrival of a booklover. They alert Manish Modi, who now runs the CP Tank Road landmark founded by his great grand father Pandit Nathuram Premi, to accord them a warm welcome. Nestled in a century old building, the bookstore’s ambiance resembles that of a home library, albeit its size and number of books stacked are little too much for that. “The publishing house-cum bookstore started with a Hindi translation of John Stuart Mill’s Liberty, titled Svadhinta, in September 1912 by my great-grandfather,” says 38-year-old Modi, who left a job run the oldest bookstore in Mumbai. This relieved his father, Yashodhar Modi, of this responsibility after nearly 50 years. Premiji, who worked as a clerk in a Mumbai firm before establishing the publishing house, brought out almost the entire oeuvre of Sharatchandra Chattopadhyaya (most of the titles are still available here) and works of Rabindranath Tagore. Premiji's efforts made works of Gujarati writer K M Munshi’s, such as Gujarat ke Nath and Patan ka Prabhutva, available to Hindi readers.Karyalay’s uniqueness lies in its record of publishing 500 books, including a huge amount of Indology and ethic related books in English, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Hindi and Urdu. The publishing house’s enduring tryst with Indology has its root in its founder, who wrote under the nom de plume ‘Premi’, being an intellectual giant in the field of Jainism as well as Hindi literature. Customers like Kristi L Wiley of Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of California, come here in search of books on Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and other studies. A closer look at the collection—new, dust-covered and even with torn jackets—is bound to throw up some pleasant surprises. As for storing the books with yellowing pages, he says: “In this business, often the father gets the books, the son sells them.” NEW RESEARCH COULD MAKE GETTING A PROSTHETIC LEG A WHOLE LOT EASIER
In India, the Jaipur Foot Organization handles many patients every day in each of its local centers. This charitable organisation is the world's largest provider of prosthetics and has worked with about a million patients since being founded in 1975. The JFO, also known as Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahyata Samiti, is based in Jaipur, a city of more than three million people that is the capital of Rajhastan in northern India. The artificial legs they provide, based on a locally developed design, cost about $40. A team of MIT students has been working on a new device that could greatly simplify the process of fitting these legs, producing a better fit while eliminating some steps in the process and reducing waste materials. The hand-powered system, which requires no external power, would also greatly simplify the fitting of legs in rural areas, where the present electrically powered fitting system requires bringing along a bulky generator. The first step in fitting a leg is to make a mold of the person's stump to provide a precise fit. This is done by placing the stump into a container filled with tiny glass beads and covered with soft silicone rubber, and then creating a vacuum so that the beads seal tightly around the limb. This "negative" mold is filled with more glass beads (referred to as "sand") to form a positive mold--an exact replica of the stump--and the socket of the prosthetic leg is made to fit that replica. Alternatively, the two steps can be done with plaster of paris instead of the sand--a process that doesn't require electricity but does use heavy, non-reusable plaster. The MIT system is now designed under the auspices of the D-Lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. by a students Philip Garcia, Maria Luckyanova and Tess Veuthey, physics student Jessica Schirmer, and D-Lab instructor Goutam Reddy have been working on the project--some of them for more than a year. The new fitting system they devised uses a hand crank to produce the vacuum, eliminating the need for electric power. And the same device can be used to produce both the initial negative mold and the positive mold that replicates the shape of the stump. Garcia, Luckyanova, Reddy and Schirmer spent time at the Jaipur facility.The project is supported by grant from MIT's Public Service Center. The new system produces less waste, requires no electricity and produces a better fit that might lead to a longer-lasting prosthetic. That's because the plaster of paris in the traditional method shrinks slightly as it hardens, making the fit less exact. News from JAINA
JAINS OF NORTH AMERICA -AN ISLAND OF JAIN UNITY - Dilip V. Shah, JAINA President, 1902 Chestnut Street,Philadelphia PA 19103, E-Mail : dilipvshah@gmail.com Amidst all the calls for unity among Jains, it is often forgotten that to a large extent, Jains in North America are united. Here there are many Jain Temples providing opportunities for all the Jains to pray in their own tradition under one roof. Temples with both Swetamber and Digamber moorties and Sthanaks (swadhya hall) is a common site here but to my knowledge does not exist in India or any where else. This is one solid achievement of JAINA. An umbrella organization of 67 Jain centers that has strived to serve all the Jains without discrimination based on sect, state of origin or languages. To be sure, more progress on this front will occur as we go forward. We can take pride in the fact that JAINA’s education committee has created a single set of integrated (non sectarian) Pathshala books in English used by so many Jain centers for their youngsters, YJA (Young Jains of America) and YJP (Young Jain Professionals) spreads message of Jainism without any references to the sects or language divides. Annual JAINA Pilgrimages to Teerthdhams of India cover both Swetamber and Digamber Teerths. JAINA Conventions held every two years draws Monks, scholars and visitors of all traditions in a festive and leaning environment where thousands of North American Jain families proudly celebrate their heritage. Scholars of all traditions are regularly invited by Jain centers and members are exposed to more than their own traditions. JAINA Calendar committee publishes a unified calendar that is mailed to 9,000 households every year and recently published books by JAINA – “Jain Way of Life” are examples of how JAINA has archived a state of Unity that is unique in Jain world. This unity is a tribute to the two visionaries – Late Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji and Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji who inspired creation of JAINA in 1981. From a handful of centers at the beginning, today there are 67 Jain centers through out USA and Canada are members of JAINA. History of immigration of Jains on this continent is also a factor in Jain unity. First generation of the Jains migrated to this country in 1960 as students or young professionals. There were no Jain organizations or Temples at that time. By early 70’s informal and formal Jain groups started forming and in September of 1971, Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji arrived in America. Later he was joined by Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji and flag of Jain Dharma has been rising over North American continent ever since. Visiting scholars have also contributed immensely by preaching Anekantwad and praising unity movement of JAINA. Now, our first generation has reached retirement age. Our second generation will soon be the leaders of Jain community here. They are proud to be Jains. Just Jains. They are also united by a common language – English. They are focused on “Jain Values” and not on sectarian adherence. Golden age of Jainism will rise all over again! JAINA has gained world wide reputation as a model of unity for Jains. YJA has inspired similar organizations in India and UK. It is a matter of immense pride that JAINA Pathshala textbooks are sought by teachers in India, Singapore, Kenya and UK. Recently I have learned of a group in India who are planning a unified Jain Temple. Indian Diaspora has contributed immensely to the mother India. India’s Freedom movement and the IT revolution – both came from sons and daughter who had migrated overseas. May be a tidal wave of Jain unity from north American shores will also someday reach shores of India. I am an optimist. When it comes to the discussion of Jain Unity, I choose to see the glass as half full. MISCELLANEOUS GUJARAT GOVT. WITHDRAWS AMENDMENT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION BILL
Gandhinagar. In the first ever move, Gujarat government today withdrew its bill to amend Freedom of Religion Bill. This Bill was passed by the Gujarat Assembly in 2006, but the Governor returned it suggesting the review of the Bill. However, Congress members in the House staged a walkout on the ground that the government should withdraw the Controversial Act which was framed in 2003. The amendment had invoked wild protests from different religious groups as it had concepts like Jains part of Hindus and so on. The Governor pointed out that though the term religion was not defined in the constitution, Jainism and Buddhism were recognized as religion and not denomination of Hinduism. The matter of withdrawal in the House today was opposed by the Congress on several grounds. Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said that the Government should have intimated about the move in advance, it should have given time for discussion and government should not have brought on the day which was for budget discussion only. However, the Speaker after hearing Amit Shah, Minister of State for Home, ruled that there was nothing wrong in the manner in which the Government was withdrawing it. At this point the Congress raised the issue of withdrawal of the 2003 Act and walked out of the House in protest. NEW SPECIAL COVER ON JAINISM ISSUED AT KOLKATa - On the occasion of 80 years of Shree Swetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Sabha, a special cover has been issued on 10th Feb. 2008 at Kolkata. The cover bears a painting of Padmawati Devi. Indian Postal Department provided a special cancellation on this occasion which bears SWASTIKA, GRANTHA and three Ratnatraya - SAMYAK DARSHAN, SAMYAK GYAN, SAMYAK CHARITRA. Courtesy: Sudhir Jain, Universal Cables Ltd., SATNA (M.P.)
VEGETARIANISM & AHIMSA
Millions of rupees are spent in the advertisements of soaps in newspapers, magazines and T.V. media, each of their brands claiming to make the skin soft, fair and beautiful. However, very few people are aware as to how these soaps are manufactured. In case of most of the soaps, specially those which are not transparent, the main constituent is animal fat (charabi) obtained either from dead animals or from live ones like sheep, goats and pigs. The kidney and the region around it is removed from these animals and heated to high temperature so as to convert fat into oil. Most manufacturers of both bathing and washing soaps use this oil, sometimes mixed with vegetable oil, coconut oil, palm oil, almond oil, Olive oil etc. along with glycerin, baking soda and fragrant. In the process of obtaining fat, it is exported that thousands of dumb animals are killed by large companies just for research and testing purposes. It is high time that the public is made fully aware about these cruel facts so that they can decide for themselves, what soap to use. Both bathing and washing Soap can be easily prepared in the homes for which the materials necessary are available in plenty in the market. The home-made soaps would be far better in quality and work out cheaper too. (News item adopted from an article in Hindi "Reality of soap" by Mrs. Maneka Gandhi published in Rajasthan Patrika, dated 12th March, 08). SUPREME COURT: ABATTOIRS TO CLOSE DURING ‘PARYUSHAN’ IN GUJARAT
The Supreme Court upheld a Gujarat government order closing slaughter houses for nine days every year during the Jain festival of ‘Paryushan’ and said that non-vegetarians could remain vegetarian for this short period. Drawing liberally from poetry penned by sages, Puranas and history as also the Constitution, a bench comprising Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju rejected the argument of the meat traders’ association, "Mirzapur Moti Kuresh Jamat", that this nine-day restriction was violative of their fundamental right to business. "The traders in meat of Ahmedabad will not suffer much merely because their business has been closed down for nine days in a year. There is no prohibition to their business for the remaining 356 days in a year," said Justice Katju, writing the judgment for the bench. Asking the communities to be respectful to each other’s sentiments, the bench said: "In a multi-cultural country like our's with such diversity, one should not be over-sensitive and over touchy about a short restriction when it is being done out of respect for the sentiments of a particular section of the society." "Great Emperor Akbar himself used to remain a vegetarian for a few days every week out of respect for the vegetarian section of Indian society and out of respect for his Hindu wife. We too should have similar respect for the sentiments of others, even if they are a minority sect," said Justice Katju. Commenting on the heterogenicity of India, the court said: "India is is a union of states and there is one nationality that is Indian. Hence, every Indian has a right to go anywhere in India, to settle anywhere, and work and do business of his choice in any part of India, peacefully."
AFTER DELHI, GUJARAT JAIN SANGHS
MIGHT BAN MARRIAGES AT NIGHT
NEW BOOKS PARSHVACARITRAM: LIFE OF PARSHVA-By Acarya Gunabhadra, Sanskrit text + English translation, Ed. and translated into English by Prof Willem Bollée, Paperback, Rs. 60. LIFE AND STORIES OF THE JAINA SAVIOUR PARSHVA- By Prof Maurice Bloomfield, English translation of Acarya Bhavadeva's PARSHVACARITRAM, Hardcover, Rs. 600. DHYANASTAVA-By Acharya Bhaskaranandi, Sanskrit text + Hindi translation, Hindi translation by Dr Jaykumar Jalaj, Paperback, Free distribution. DHYANASHATAKA-By an Unknown Acarya, Prakrit text + Hindi translation, Hindi translation by Dr Jaykumar Jalaj, Paperback, Rs. 30. DRAVYASANGRAHA-By Acharya Nemicandra Siddhantacakravarti, Prakrit text + Hindi translation, Hindi translation by Dr Jaykumar Jalaj, Paperback, Rs. 30.
BARASANUVEKKHA-By Acarya Kundakunda, Prakrit text + Sanskrit
translation in Verse + Hindi translation, Sanskrit translation in Verse and
Hindi translation by Pandit Nathuram Premi, Paperback, Rs. 40.
VIEWS FROM READERS 1. The first case was to challenge Gujrat Govt attempt to make Jainism & Budhism as a sect of Hinduism. Supreme Court upheld that Jain darshan & Budhism are distinct religions and not part of Hindu religion. 2. The second case challenged Gujrat Govt order in Ahmedabad closing all meat shops for 9days during Paryushan Parva. Supreme Court has upheld the order and upheld rational restrictions by Gujrat Govt. Supreme Court upheld that it is the duty of all communities to respect diversity of India and respect Jain darshan of compassion and non killing. 9 days in a year of 365 are reasonable restrictions on meat shops & upheld tht Gujrat Govt order to close all meat shop for 9 days during Paryushan Parva. Please don't fail to recognize that such historical decisions have come from Supreme Court when coincidentally our beloved Jain His Lordship Justice Bhandari is a Supreme Court Judge. He was not part of the deciding bench but significance of his presence among the eminence of Hon'ble Judges itself is noteworty. Just think how right people at right place cab help a society. Please have strong conviction that we should make certain to help enroll maximum people a year in apex services of executive judiciary central and state legislature. We have discussed that and also made head start. Let us take a resolve to make political and administrative empowerment of Jains a reality and success.
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