Editor-in-Chief: Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

Vol.3      Issue 1

May 2004

Editorial

KARMAVADA

     Jainism regards Karma theory as its unique exposition of origin of human being. It tried to explore and find answer to the concept of soul. Soul is regarded universally with equal vision in various religions. However, life of an individual is seen at different stages. The way of life and soul has to be blended in the path of equanimity, conflict and contrast depending upon the individuals. Furthermore, Jainism distinguishes good and bad karmas since the time immemorial. The soul decides the present and future of an individual. The present is dependent on the past and the future is dependent on the present. Hence these periods are inseparable and dependent on one another. Today's deed becomes tomorrows history. This concept of Karmavada appropriately explains birth and rebirth in the life time of an individual.

     Ignorance and animosity breed contempt and contemplation. Lack of knowledge among the people to understand each other leads to turmoils in life. This is called as Darshana Moha (perverted attitude) in Jaina tradition. Wants are unlimited. The greediness and contempt of an individual perpetuate eventually in violence. One should incorporate good qualities in the day to day life. The sensitivity and sensibility of an individual plan a vital role in his atomic vibrations imparting a definite shape. This is regarded as Dravya Karma or Karmana Shareera. These vividly explain the belief of rebirth in Jainism. The total release from bondage of birth and rebirth leads to salvation.

     Jainism has deduced a spiritual law of karma. The physical, mental and other variations and identities exist superflously among the people though not innate in its origin. One should be in a position to identify self and not self. Karma is also called Samskara. "As you sow, so you reap" is the adage. One should distinguish good and bad deeds. The doctrine of birth lies in proper understanding of karma. The intrinsic and extrinsic values of life be undermined. Karma is entangled with ignorance, sentiment and attachment. Ignorance has been called avidya or lack of Knowledge. One should relinquish raga-dwesha (attachment and hatredness). This leads to the practice of non violence.

     Bhavakarma is a kind of Samskara existing in an individual, though it exists in an invisible form, attains a definite configuration in mind.

     Dhravyakarma is materialistic and it is propagated and laying down the foundation for the generation of a new body. This is the dictum of Jaina doctrine. The human body is constituted by prakriti, primordial principle of matter. The karmic body of the Jains entails in itself maya (illusion) as the intrinsic organ (anthakarana), egoism and mind. Maya is transitory where as incarnation is eternal. The soul and karma are interrelated. It has the inherent feature of purity and sanctity and devoid of deficiencies. It is the root for absolute verification.    

     Karmavada occupies unique positions in the main principles of Jainism. This has been adopted by other religions which took birth at the different centuries in the history of India. 

-Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

SRI TARUNSAGARJI MAHARAJ IN MAHARASHTRA TO PROPAGATE JAINISM

Nandoorbar (Maharashtra), April 5: Muni 108 Sri Tarunsagarji Maharaj popularly known as the revolutionary Jain saint will spend this year traveling in Maharashtra as part of his Bharat Vihar mission. This Bharat Vihar mission is been undertaken by Sri Tarunsagarji to propagate Jainism all over India. It can be recalled here that Sri Tarunsagarji had under taken a year long programme similar to this in Gujarat as a part of this mission and successful in propagating Jainism among the people. As a first phase of this mission, programmes were organised in Nandoorbar from 1st to 5th April. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

JAIN TEMPLE AT WANKANER DRAWS VISITORS ACROSS THE GLOBE

Wankaner (Gujarat), May 4: A unique Jain temple in Wankaner town of Gujarat has been drawing crowds from across the globe. The temple, with a glass sanctum santorum, was built by followers of Kanji Swami of Digambar Jain, for conducting religious sermons. Though the construction of the temple has not been completed, it attracts a large number of people from various religious groups.

     The man behind the idea said he wanted his place and the community to have a place in history. "I wanted to do something unique for Wankaner. I thought people should come to Wankaner, my city and my people and Jains, should be famous in the world. So I constructed this temple in glass," said Jeetendra Shah, Vice President of Digambar Jain Sangh, Rajkot.

     Estimated to cost around Rs.500,000, the trustees believe that the beauty that glass can offer is not found in marbles or wood. Another feature of the temple is the light and sound show, which is used to spread the message of Lord Mahavir, the founder of the religion. The colorful show has attracted many youngsters to the religion. "Though I have been to many religious places and attended discourses they failed to hold my attention. Here it is different. The unique combination of sight and sound helps us understand things better," Chetan Sheth, a visitor said. The "Samvasaran" or sanctum sanctorum is divided into eight circles. -News Courtesy: Newkerala.com

UNDERSTANDING JAINISM

Indore (Madhya Pradesh), April 3: The religion is a means through which one can understand the spirit of Adyathma. The study of its antiquity throws light on its ever shining beckon light. People should be made aware of the origin, growth and development and factual realities. For example lord Mahavira is believed to be the founder of Jainism by many non Jains. This is due to parallel thinking of Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha. Mahavira though a contemporary of Buddha was the 24th prophet of Jainism and only signifying that Jainism existed even before the arrival of Mahavira. However Buddha was the founder of Buddhism.

     Recently a fervent attempt was made to make the people to know the antiquity of Jainism under the sacred guidance of His Holiness Upadhyaya Muni 108 Sri Nijagunanandasagarji Maharaj in Indore, the commercial city of Madhya Pradesh. It intended to strengthen the religion with the proper out look. The Jain samaj of Indore has also ventured for proper organisation, unification, comprehension and other constructive programmes through padayatra. Many Jain temples existing in Indore are visited by the devotees and followers of Jainism, which concludes with Mahavira Jayanthi.

     It is observed that rarely there is an opportunity for the Jains to meet and interact one another in a big city like Indore. The presence of Munis amidst the people is found to inspire them towards rejuvenation and revival of the religion.

     Furthermore many problems cropping the religion are attended to with proper solution. It tries to identify many unseen or occult talents. The organisation serves the society by undertaking various schemes for the welfare of the public. It makes the people aware of the fact that Bhagawan Adinatha was the founder of Jainism. As a part of this programme a trust has been established with a fund of Rs. 11,00,000/- at the Sri Chandraprabha Jain temple with Sri Kevalchadn Ravat as its president. It has also been instrumental in constituting a Vatsalya Nidhi at the seven Jain temples of Indore.   

     The "padayatra" a brain child of Sri Kailashchand Chaudhari and Sri Devakumar Sinha is being looked after by Sri Ramesh Kasaliwala. This is taking place as an annual event since thirteen years. His holiness called upon the devotees to follow and practice the preachings of Bhagawan Adinatha and Bhagawan Mahavira in word and deed. The padayatra lasting for a span of 20 days begins from the day of Adinatha Jayanthi and concludes on the Mahavira Jayanthi with a swarna rathayatra. The religio social programme of this kind is of immense help for the revival of Jainism. - Dr. H.A.Parshwanth, Jain Heritage Centres News Service      

SRI CHARUKEERTHI BHATTARAKHA MAHARAJ OF MOODABIDRI GETS HONORARY DOCTORATE

Kolkata (West Bengal), April 15: Sri Charukeethi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Moodabidri Jain Muth was been presented with the honorary doctorate at the 27 International Astrology Convention at Kolkata. The Bhattarakhaji has been presented with the doctoral honour for his research thesis on astrology and his dedicated service in fields of astrology, vastu shastra and pyramid studies. The honorary doctorate of the Kolkata Jyotisha Peetha was conferred in the presence of the governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

     Speaking on the occasion Sri Bhattarakaji called upon the universities and the state governments to undertake a scientific study of the Astrological science and there by making way to clear the false notions on astrology. He said that as a part of the Moodabidri Jain Muth's project to preserve the ancient scriptures steps have been taken to preserve the 21 sacred astrology works on palm leaves at the Sri Ramarani Shodha Sansthan , Moodabidri. Many renowned astrology scholars and vice chancellors of many Universities were present at the convention. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service         

GRAND PANCHA KALYANAK PRATISHTA MAHOTSAV AT SHIMOGA

The newly consecrated Jain Temple of Bhagawan Adinatha at Shimoga

Shimoga (Karnataka) May 3: The Panchakalyan Pratishta Mahotsav of the newly constructed Bhagawan Sri Adinatha Jain temple were held from the 29th of April to the 3rd of May, 2004. The five day long celebrations were held under the guidance of Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Kanakagiri Jain Muth and Sri Dhavalakeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Arihantagiri (Tirumail, Tamil Nadu) Jain Muth and Dharmadhikari Sri D. Veerendra Heggede of Dharmasthala.

     The idols of Bhagawan Adinatha, Goddess Padmavathidevi and Goddess Jwalamalinidevi were installed during the pratishta mahotsav. The celebrations began with the Garbha Kalyan on 29th April, the Janma Kalyan on 30th April, Diksha Kalyan on 1st May, Kevalagnana Kalyan on 2nd May and the Moksha Kalyana on the 3rd May.

     Speaking on the occasion Dr. D.Veerendra Heggde the dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala called upon the people to propagate the message of the Tirthankaras and to follow ahimsa in all walks of life. Smt Hemavathi Heggde released the souvenir 'Devadundubi'. Noted Jain scholars like Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah, Dr. Kamala Hampana, Dr. S.P.Padmaprasad, Sri M. Shubhachandra, Prof. Jivendrakumar Hotapete addressed the religious gatherings. many cultural programmes were organised every evening. Thousands of devotees from all over India witnessed the Pancha Kalyanak. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service           

PANCHAKALYANAK PRATISHTA MAHOTSAV AT SAHRANPUR

PANCHAKALYANAK PRATISHTA MAHOTSAV AT CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh, April 23: Panchakalyanak Partishta Mahotsav celebrations started early this morning with the taking out of a shobha yatra. It started from Sector 27 Digamber Jain temple. The celebrations were held after 35 years and continued till April 30. The idol of Lord Mahavira was placed on a white chariot decked up with flowers. Jain Muni 108 Sri Gupti Sagar led the procession with chanting of hymns. Followers in large number participated in the yatra. It reached Sector 28 and before culminating back at the temple. - News Courtesy: tribuneindia.com

TENETS OF TRUTH

Danya Steele gets to grips with modernity, capitalism and commercialism from a Jain perspective.

Oxford University, May 6th: Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation.

     Like Hinduism, there is no belief in a single Creative Spirit or God, and like both Hinduism and Buddhism, Jains believe in reincarnation. There is a focus on karma, which is impacted by thoughts as well as physical behaviour.

     There are three tenets to Jainism - right faith, right knowledge and right conduct, with the first two tenets being closely related. Basically, these tenets say that followers should seek true knowledge in the universe, being able to differentiate between truths and untruths and using that knowledge towards the betterment of their conduct.

     Right conduct is emphasised in Jainism as not only a physical endeavour, but also one's thoughts towards others. Someone may be doing charity work, yet unless they actually approach that with a pure heart (not with ulterior motives, or as a CV booster, for instance) it will be meaningless.

     To understand the universe and to have right conduct is said to bring peace of mind.

     Most of the students at a recent lecture at New College, Who Cares? Business & Professional Ethics in the

21st Century from a Jain Perspective, appeared bewildered by the time the talk was finished.

     Not only did the 'don't hurt a living soul' rhetoric of the Jain religion seem to completely blow over their postmodernist, carnivorous heads, but also important, valid questions posed by the small audience remained unanswered.

     Not all in the audience were non-Jains, though many of them were.

     "Is modernity inherently contradictory to the Jain lifestyle?" began one young man.

     "I don't see why you can't have a genuine concern for others, while still having sound awareness and concern for your own interests" he continued, increasingly agitated by what appeared to him to be an impractical lecture on relinquishing all sense of self in place for consumption in charity.

     Atul Shah, executive editor of Jain Spirit, a magazine dedicated to discussing issues of the Jain religion, began the lecture by telling a brief story about a small shop manager he'd encountered during a recent sojourn in India.

     According to Shah, the man ran a very modest shop, yet seemed completely content with his life. Behind him, Shah noticed a large mantel dedicated to God. Intrigued, he asked the shop manager why he dedicated so much space to his spirituality.

     In response, the shop manager talked for nearly half an hour about the indissoluble link between his faith and business enterprise. Shah thinks that it is this sort of spiritual grounding - a sense of your spiritually being who you are, not what you practice - that is remiss in Western culture.

     According to Shah, Western culture is suffering from serious moral erosion.

     He says there is an illusion of independence in Western culture, though it only comes at the cost of neglecting "the reality of interdependence", a more fulfilling realism that allows one to see that all of humanity is bonded together. He calls Oxford University an "island" and says that it doesn't represent the real world.

     Shah claimed that the point of his talking to Oxford students was to address what will probably be the future commercial and intellectual elite. He went on to say that he entitled his speech "Who Cares?" because "often the brightest and smartest in the world care the least" and have the least sense of responsibility and duty.

     Shah himself holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and was well on his way to being a multi-millionaire, if not billionaire, in his own finance career. He gave it all up, however, for Jainism.

     The questions churn up again: "Does wealth accumulation imply that you're a bad person?" asks one girl. "What about using devious means to pursue positions of power, and then changing around and doing good things once you've achieved that power?" asked a third student, nervously attempting to understand this philosophy, yet still visibly baffled. Shah answers this question directly, stating that devious behaviour employed for any reason at all will always be wrong.

     Virtually all of the room's questions aimed towards the same curiosity: is Jainism practical for the postmodernist, capitalist-minded individual? Is Modernity inherently a morbid concept? Is there anything wrong with wanting money, status, or eye candy? Should normative, prima facie standards of success - a university degree, a well-paying career, a solid position of power - be relinquished in place for a nomadic life filled with no sex, but virtue and selflessness? This last query is admittedly the most extreme of them all - because chastity is only the ideal, not necessarily a requirement for everyday Jains - though it's a fair question, nonetheless.

     Shah generally gave vague answers to these. Jainism seemed to be something you somehow organically understood or you don't: "Jainism has never been into converting people - sharing, certainly, but not converting. That's never been an interest." This is a factor that may contribute somewhat to the nebulous nature of answers to questions regarding the practicality of the faith.

     Shah provided examples of popular Jains who still managed to be very successful by conventional standards, yet many students still seemed unsatisfied. "He contradicted himself so much," says one of the lecture's attendees. "First he said that commercialism is a bad thing in Jainism, then he encouraged us to become successful Jains in the public, commercial eye."

     It is also still a relatively unknown religion among white British students: all of the students, void of myself, at the meeting were seemingly of Asian descent.

     Jainism - in its nebulous way of relinquishing Western ideology for simple, introspective growth - may be a relief to Westerners who are tired of self-centred pursuits, but not young Asians still wrestling with the conflicts of being both Indian and Modernist. - News Courtesy: Danya Steele, oxfordstudent.com

ACHARYA VIDYANANDAJI'S PRAVACHANA PARIMALA RELEASED

Kunda Kunda Bharathi  (New Delhi), April 22: Pravachana Parimala, Part - 4 a collection of discourses of Acharya 108 Sri Vidyanandaji Maharaj in Kannada was released at the Kunda Kunda Bharathi Ashram, New Delhi. The book was released in the presence of the Acharya on his birth day. Smt & Sri Vimuktakumar were present on the occasion on behalf of the publishers. Interested people can get a copy of the book by sending a sum of Rs. 100/- to Sri M.C.Anantharajaiah , "Rajagruha", Near Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar, Bangalore - 11. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

JAIN PERIODICALS DIRECTORY

Mumbai (Maharashtra), May 1: It has been decided to publish a Directory of Jain Periodicals published in India by the different sects and Jain organisations. The publishers/editors of the Jain periodicals are  here by requested to furnish the following details of the periodical with its latest issue: Name of the periodicals, Language, Place of Publishing, editor, publisher, contact address, phone number, annual subscription, publishing period, number of copies circulated and other details. The details have to be sent to Sri Babulal Jain, 105, Tirupathi Apartment, Arkuli Road, No.1, Kandhivili East, Mumbai -400105. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

TELE SERIAL ON THE LIFE OF ACHARYA SRI SUBHALASAGARJI

Shedabala (Belgaum District, Karnataka), May 15: A tele serial in Kannada on the life of late Acharya 108 Sri Subhalasagarji Maharaj who attained samadhi after undertaking the 12 long years of Niyama Sallekhana on 17th March, 2004 has been under production. The serial titled "Bangarada Badhuku" will be telecasted in the Chandana Channel by the Bangalore Doordarshan. Many prominent artists in Kannada are acting in this tele serial and has been directed by Sri Raju Patil. The production of the serial is in full swing and is being held at Shedabala, Chinchili, Ugara, Athani and Nandagaon (the birth place of the Acharya). - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

POPULARISING JAINISM AMONG THE RURAL CHILDREN

Shravanabelagola (Karantaka), April 25: The summer camps were conducted in Bellur, Dadaga, Tandaga, Kadaravalli, hongere, chamalapura, Channarayapatana and Shravanabelagola under the guidance of His  Holiness Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Shravanabelagola Jain muth. The objective of the camps was to propagate the message of Jainism among  the rural children. There were about 220 children as participants in the camps at the eight centres. The religious hymns like Niranjana stuthi and Bhaktamara Shloka, religious question and answer sessions, bhajan path, religious stories, balabodh path and other literature were taught in these workshops. These religious camps a the brain child of Sri Charukeerthiji has been conducted from the past several years and has been successful in drawing the attention of the rural children towards the religion. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

SPECIAL PROGRAM TO POPULARISE JAIN PILGRIM PLACES IN KARNATAKA

Bangalore (Karnataka), May 6: Looking at a rise in the number of tourists visiting the Jain pilgrim places in Karnataka, the Department of Tourism, is preparing a special plan to popularise these places among the tourists. As a part of this plan the Tourism Department is planning to launch special package tours to cater to the Jain pilgrims requirement. It is being noticed that there are numerous  Jain pilgrimage centres unknown to many people located in northern parts of the state which are of equal importance as of the southern parts. So the department has decided to pay equal attention to the places in the North Karnataka. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

DNA TEST TO PROBE HIGH MORTALITY RATE IN JAIN SECT

Ahmedabad (Gujarat), April 28 : A country-wide DNA test is being conducted to investigate increasing mortality among the Kutchhi Dasha Oswal, one of the Jain community's sects hailing from the Kutch region of Gujarat. "The Kutchhi Dasha Oswal community has just 28,164 members left, of whom 18,000 are settled in Mumbai," the project coordinator Mahendra Lalka told. "It is India's second smallest community after the Parsees, who number just about 100,000."
     Lalka, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) official from Uttar Pradesh, was here in Ahmedabad to launch the drive in which 100 community members underwent the DNA test. A week before, 600 of them were tested in Mumbai. The drive, titled Jain Vasudha, has been launched in collaboration with Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). Its scientist Lalji Singh will conduct the DNA test once the blood samples were collected.  Singh said the main objective of the drive was to ascertain the genetic structure of Kutchhi Dasha Oswal in order to find the root cause of the high mortality rate in the community.
     Comparing the mortality and birth rates in his community, Lalka said, "In 2003, there were 221 deaths as against 149 births. In 2002, there were 203 deaths as against 150 births. "The mortality percentage in the community was 7.21 as against a birth rate of 5.32 percent in 2002. Compare to this, in 2003 the birth rate percentage had dwindled down to 5.32 from the earlier 5.30. The mortality rate had increased to 7.86 percent," said Lalka. According to a survey conducted by the Kutchhi Dasha Oswal community, children make up 10 percent as against 11.30 percent of adults. Ninety six percent community members are literate while 37 percent are employed. The Kutchhi Dasha Oswal members are spread across the country. They have also migrated to the US, Britain and Canada. -News Courtesy: Newkerala.com

FIRST INTERFAITH SERVICE FOR ANIMALS ANNOUNCED

London, April 29: The first British Interfaith Service in celebration of animals has been announced, sponsored by the World Congress of Faiths. To be held in June, Professor Andrew Linzey will give the address at the service. Professor Linzey holds the world's first post in theology and animals - the Bede Jarrett Senior Research Fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford. He is also the author of a collection of liturgies for animals (Animal Rites, published by SCM Press) which were used by churches on Animal Welfare Sunday. In a report published by the Christian Socialist Movement (CSM) last year Linzey argued that there was no moral defence for hunting as sport and that it should be completely banned.

     The service will include readings, prayers and mediations from representatives of the Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Jain faith traditions. Andrew Burns from the World Congress of Faiths who organised the service said; "This is an exciting venture which will bring together - for the first time - representatives of the world faiths in an attempt to raise consciousness about the treatment of animals within the various traditions."

     The service will be hosted by Golders Green Unitarians. "We are delighted to have this ground breaking service in our Church" commented the minister, the Revd Feargus O'Connor, "Unitarianism has a long history of welcoming interfaith dialogue and co-operation between faiths". The service will be held at Golders Green Unitarian Church, Hoop Lane, London, NW11 8BS, 13 June starting at 3pm. -News Courtesy: ekklesia.co.uk

DIKSHA CEREMONY ON AKSHAY TRITIYA AT MUMBAI

Mumbai, April 22: Digambar Acharya Pushpadantasagarji, gave diksha to three Jain Bramhacharis on the Akshay Tritiya day. The diksha ceremony was held at the  Wilson High School Grounds, Dr. Wilson Street, C.P. Tank, Mumbai. Brahmachari Vineet was given the Digambar Muni Diksha and Brahmachari Madanlal & Brahmachari Shailendra were given the Kshullak Dikshas. - News Courtesy: Yashodhar Modi

SRAMANA SANSKRITHI SAMMELAN

Moodabidri (Mangalore District, Karnataka), April 5:  As part of the annual pooja mahotsav of the Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Temple the Shrama Sanskriti Sammelan was organised under the guidance of Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Moodabidri Jain Muth. Sri Mallikarjuna Murugarajendra Swamiji of the Bekkina Kalamata, Shimoga addressed the gathering. Dr. Vidyadharashetty president of the 8th zone, Jain Milan, inaugurated the sammelan. Sri Arala Rajendra Shetty gave a religous discourse on the occassion. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

DALAILAMA URGES SPIRITUAL SHARING AT INTERFAITH MEETING IN TORONTO

Toronto, May 2: The Dalai Lama urged followers of different religions to go on pilgrimages together to the world's sacred places as a step toward religious empathy and understanding. Speaking before an interfaith audience of 3,000, chatting comfortably as though with intimate friends, the Tibetan Buddhist monk said people of genuine religious faith should share their deepest spiritual experiences with those whose beliefs are different. He stood in one of the vast halls of the National Trade Centre, flanked by Toronto's faith leaders. Some read scripture — Catholic Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic read the Beatitudes, Anglican archbishop Terence Finlay the 23rd Psalm — while others chanted and called out movingly to God in Hebrew, Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic and Vietnamese. Speaking at the end of the 90-minute meeting, the Dalai Lama recalled his own pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Bodhgaya in India where Buddha achieved enlightenment, and Fatima, Portugal where two shepherd children believe a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared to them in 1917.

     "After silent meditation, as I was leaving, I turned back to a small Mary statue that was very beautiful and it appeared to me to be smiling. I think — wonderful. But perhaps (it was) something in my eye." The Dalai Lama is in Toronto leading the Kalachakra initiation, an intensive teaching and initiation ritual, which continues until Wednesday. The Dalai Lama said it was important that individual practitioners of any faith follow the concept of one truth, one religion. But he said that looking at the world as a whole, the concept of several truths, several religions must be recognized as it was on the platform he shared with Prakash Mody, a Jain, Sam Vesuna, a Zoroastrian, Mohawk Chief Jake Swamp, Muslim Imam Abdul Hai Patel, Rabbi Daniel Komito Gottlieb, Sikh Harbhjan Singh Pandori, and Hindu Hari Krishna Chopra, a Buddhist nun from Taiwan and monk from Vietnam.

     One of two women on the stage, Ruth Webster, a Bahai, said, "One of the steps to peace is equality of men and women." Bahais speak of equality as two wings of a bird, she said. "I'm happy to be here representing the female wing." The Dalai Lama has said that religion is not necessary for an ethical life. But his message may be the first step on the path to spiritual awakening, said Brother Kevin Goss, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement. "Maybe he's helping awake that yearning," Goss said. "I think it will make us a better society, if we pay attention and change our behaviour." -News Courtesy: thestar.com

MUNI SUMERMALJI AT HYDERABAD AS PART OF AHIMSA YATRA

Hyderabad, May 5:  Jain Muni Sumermal Swami arrived in hyderabad after walking barefoot 850 kms in 2 months. The muni is ardent peace seeker and a disciple of Acharya Shri Mahapragya and he will be in twin cities for 5 months to spread Ahimsa message through Ahimsa Yatra. - News Courtesy: Nilesh Jain

THOUSAND PILLARS TEMPLE AT MOODABIDRI TO BE RENOVATED

Moodabidri (Mangalore District, Karnataka), May 1:  The tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani temple popularly called as the thousand pillars temple will be renovated at a cost of several lakh rupees. Sri D.Veerendra Heggade the dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala will be the president of the committee and Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Moodabidri Jain Muth will guide the renovation works. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

DELHI WOMEN'S LEAGUE HONOUR'S INDU JAIN

New Delhi, Apr 20 : Nineteen women representing various vocations and diverse careers Tuesday got the recognition they deserved as a women's organisation here presented them with achiever awards. The 19 women were given the achiever awards as part of the Delhi Women's League platinum jubilee celebrations. The organisation said it hoped to touch every field where women have done exceptional work. The NGO, set up in 1926, was celebrating the completion of 75 years of its existence aimed at the upliftment of women and children in Delhi. Today India does not need Sitas, it needs Draupadis. Women should not suffer silently like Sita, they should learn to stand up and resist oppression like Draupadi, seemed to be a recurring theme at the conference, touching on the two protagonists of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

     Nirmala Dwarkadas, President of Delhi Women's League told: "For the awards, we have tried to find self reliant women in numerous fields, women who have empowered other women and led the way ahead for others." Indu Jain chairperson of the Times of India group was one among the nineteen women honoured on the occasion. -News Courtesy: Newkerala.com

THEFT IN JAIN TEMPLE SOLVED, 13 IDOLS RECOVERED

New Delhi, April 23 : With the arrest of five persons, Delhi Police today claimed to have solved the theft of 13 antique idols from a Jain temple here, earlier this month. Avnish Rana, Rustam Sheikh, Sunil Rana, Mustaq and Sanjay Sangwan were apprehended near Mukhmailpur bus stand in north-west Delhi and all 13 idols worth several crores in the international market recovered from them, police said. The idols had been stolen from the medieval era Vijay Vallabh Smarak shrine on April 7.

     Police claimed the entire episode had been plotted by 19-year-old Avnish Rana, a student of Jain Bharati Mrigavati Vidyalaya that is part of the shrine. Son of a Delhi Transport Corporation bus driver, he allegedly stole money from the doantion box in the temple before hitting upon the plan to make big money by stealing the idols. The idols were distributed among the accused for safe-keeping, but were all recovered unscathed, police said. -News Courtesy: The Hindu

BOOK REVIEW

'ATMANUBUTHI KE MOTHI' - A PLAUSIBLE WORK

     Jainism occupies a unique position among the Indian born religions. Its classics, scriptures & works on rituals and traditions have enriched the Indian litrature. "Atmanubhuti Ke Moti" a work on the principles of Jainism stands unique in its exposition & interpretation, this can be considered as a rare book on Jainism, edited by Pratap Singh Sipani. Though there are many books on Jainism available this work is a collection of the dictums of Jainism at the outset, the editor has clearly stated that it has dealt with the preliminary knowledge of rituals and customs & also the life style of the followers of Jaina Dharma & has further presented these in a vivid manner. It includes Pancha Namokar, Jaina sutras and stotras. This book useful for both Jains and also non Jains to understand the magnitude of the religion and patterns of Jainistic life.

     This book comprises eleven chapters. In the 1st chapter there are the messages by the eminents in the field. The 2nd chapter includes the interpretations of the stotras. The interpretations of Bhaktamara Stotra particularly draws the attention of the reader. These translations are also found in Hindi, Sanskrit and English. In the third chapter there is a succinct account of 24 tirthankaras. The preaching's of these prophets are helpful in comprehending the important basics of Jainism. In the 4th chapter the author has defined Jainism and thrown light on the concept of prayer. Here he has given numerous prayers used in day to day worshiping. There are sayings of these great prophets & luminaries. The 5th chapter deals with Jeevan sutras. In the 6th chapter the importance of guru is defined and the details of Guru Pradhan Dada Shri Jinadatta Suri and the 3 members of the tradition are given. In the 7th chapter the importance of Gurudarshan, Jinadarshan and poojas is explained. In the 8th chapter there are poems written by Acharya Sri Ratnakara Surishwara Nageshwara Parshwanath and Jain bhajans by other saints and scholars. In the 9th chapter Samatayog explained by Sri Manohar Muniji is given. One can also find 25 sutras on moral education as defined by Sri Pujya chandrashekara Sagarji. The rituals and customs of Jainism are very well analysed. The 10th chapter mentions Darshanacharas, Charitracharas, Panchasamithi, Jnanachara, Teengupti and Tapachara. In the last chapter the way of day to day social life is collected. There are a number of quotations, bhajans, the importance of Jinavani and vegetarianism are discussed.

     By publishing this book the compiler Pratap Singh Sipani has done a plausible work and has expressed his deep concern for leading better way of life by following Jaina dharma. Himself being a Jain he has immensely contributed to Jainism and study of relationship with other religions. -Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

We here by request our esteemed readers to make use of this exclusive section of book review. The publications on Jainism would be reviewed in this section by our team. For further details please contact email: info@jainheritagecentres.com or nitin_hp@sancharnet.in

The main intention of this column is to provide a platform to the news of even the small villages spread all over India. We here by request our readers to kindly send the news of the pooja mahotsav's in the Jain temples taking place at the nooks and corners of the world.

Betageri (Chickamagalur District, Karnataka), April 24: A special pooja was organised to the idol of Goddess Sri Bhyravi Padmavathi on the occasion of the suggi pooja. It can be recalled here that the suggi pooja is organised every year on the Panchami day of the Vyshak month. This idol of Goddess Padmavathi  considered to be very ancient and auspicious draw thousands of devotees from across Karnataka to this suggi pooja. On the occasion the golden mask and crown were brought in a procession and decorated to the idol of Goddess Padmavathi. 

Bidare (Tumkur District, Karnataka): The sixth annual pooja mahotsav of the Bhagawan Sri Suparshwanatha Jain temple was held on sunday the 2nd May, 2004. The pooja proceedings were held under the guidance of Sri Lakshmisena Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Narasimharajapura (Simhanagadde) Jain Muth. 

Mayasandra (Magadi Taluk, Bangalore Rural District, Karnataka): The annual pooja mahotsav of the Bhagawan Sri Ananathanatha Swamy Jain temple will be held on 23rd May under the guidance of Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kanakagiri Jain Muth. On the occasion Sri Nagaratnaraju of Bangalore will address the religious gathering.     

Sitakal (Tumkur District, Karnataka): The annual pooja mahotsav of the Bhagawan Sri Parshwanatha Swamy Jain temple will be held on 16th May under the guidance of Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kambadahalli Jain Muth. Sri Padmavathi Seva Trust of Sitakal has organised the pooja mahotsav.  

Mayasandra (Tumkur District, Karnataka): The 17th annual pooja mahotsav of the Bhagawan Sri Parshwanatha Swamy Jain temple built under the guidance of Sri Rajamathi Mathaji will be held on sunday the 30th May, 2004.

Hubli (Dharwad District, Karnataka), April 22: Special pooja to the Tirthankara idols were organised at the Jain temples on the Akshaya Tritiya day to mark the occasion.

Belaguli (Tumkur District, Karnataka): The fourteenth annual pooja mahotsav of the Bhagawan Sri Shanthinath Swami Jain temple will be held on 16th May under the guidance of Sri Lakshmisena Bhattarakha Maharaj of the Jain Muth at Narasimharajapura (Simhanagadde) and Sri Bhuvanakerrthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kanakagiri Jain Muth. Sri M.P.Sanmathi Kumar of Tumkur will preside the religious gathering and Smt Parimala Mohan of Bellur will address the religious gathering.- Jain Heritage Centres News Service    

http://www.jsne.org/ : Web site of the Jain Sangh of New England founded in the year 2000. Gives information of the sangh, its activities and about Jainism.

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/arc/ind/jaina/2_ellora/ell_eng.htm : This webpage gives information about the Jain cave temples at Ellora. It gives in detail the plan of the cave temples along with sketches. It also gives some basic information about the origin of Jainism. 

Sunday 16th May 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Darmanatha.

Tuesday 18th May 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Neminatha.

Sunday 23rd May 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Dharmanatha, 132nd Birth day of Charitra Chakravarthi Sri Shanthisagaji Maharaj.

Monday 31st May 2004 - Janma Kalyana and  Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Suparshwanatha.

Tuesday 8th June 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Shreyamsanatha.

Saturday 12th June 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Vimalanatha, Vardanthi Utsava of Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of Kanakagiri (Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka).

Monday 14th June 2004 - Janma Kalyana and Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Ananthanatha.

Wednesday 16th June 2004 - Janma Kalyana, Diksha Kalyana and Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Shanthinatha.

Thursday 17th June 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Ajithanatha.

Thursday 24th June 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Mahavira.

Friday 25th June 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Neminatha.

Saturday 26th June 2004 - Nandishwara Ashtahnika Vratha begins, Chaturmas Vratha begins.

Additions as on 1st May 2004:

Calendar Wallpapers

Additions as on 15th May 2004:

Photo Gallery:

AN EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE WITH PHOTOS OF THE NIYAMA SALLEKHANA OF ACHARYA 108 SRI SUBHALASAGARJI MAHARAJ HELD AT SHEDABALA IN KARNATAKA.

Articles:

THE GREAT SOUL OF AHIMSA - Sree Chitrabhanuji