Ahimsa Times 2009 06 SrNo 108

SR No.: 523608
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ahimsa Times
Publisher: Ahimsa Times
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 17
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Ahimsa Times, & India
File Size: 394 KB

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AHIMSA TIMES - JUNE 2009 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
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India were minors in 2007. "The number of small boys and girls taking Diksha is dwindling. The largest number of Dikshas come from the age group of 18 to 27 years, followed by those in the early 30s," said Gunsunder Vijayji Maharajsaheb.
TEMPLES
AMERICAN JAINS DEDICATE NEW TEMPLE AT SOUTH FLORIDA
With dedication ceremonies on April 17-19, the Jains of South Florida inaugurated their new Jain Center in the presence of Swamiji Devendrakeerty. Taking up 4,000 square feet, the center sits in an office park in Weston. The Indian-style interior is covered in white marble. Along with its land, the project cost $1.45 million. Centerpiece is a Gabhara, a covered sanctuary housing three Thirthankars, Adinath, Mahavira and Simandhar Swami (whom Jains foresee as one of the next Thirthankars). Another section is for Jains who also honor other streams of the faith. A floor-to-ceiling plaque bears Navakara Mantra. There's a large photo of Shrimad Rajchandra, a 19th century enlightened devotee, who translated Jain scriptures into the Gujarati language. At the dedication ceremonies, Jain leaders prayed mantras over the idols and applied the saffron paste. Among the visiting leaders was Swamiji Devendrakeerty, who has helped dedicate 54 Jain temples in a half-dozen countries since 1974. Like many others from India, the 120 families of the Jain Center work as doctors, engineers, CPAs and businessmen.
THEFT IN JAIN TEMPLES
The occurrence of theft cases in Jain temples are increasing day after day. Theft of Rs. 35,000 took place on the 27th May at Shri Sambhavnath Jinalaya in Madanganj, Kishangarh by breaking open a collection box. In a major case of dacoity and murder, gold items worth Rs. two crores and weighing 23 Kg. were looted from a century old Shri Chandraprabhu ji temple at Sahukarpeth in Chennai in the early hours of 10th June. The dacoits murdered the chief pujari Himmat mal belonging to Sirohi, Rajasthan and tied his assistant with rope. They then removed five pieces of 'kavach' (Angi) of the idols costing more than Rs. two crores and ran away with the booty. According to reports in the press, six persons have been arrested subsequently and nine Kg. costing about Rs. 1.2 crores of gold has been recovered. All the six persons are said to belong to Nepal.
HUMBLE REQUEST TO ALL THOSE VISITING SAMMET SHIKHARJI Pilgrims visiting Shri Sammet Shikharji are advised not to buy any eatables or other material from the vendors while climbing the mountain on the way from Madhuban to Jal Mandir and other temples. In the interest of maintaining a clean and tidy environment on the mountain it is necessary to avoid throwing any unwanted material on the way like, empty bottles, polythene bags, left-over of food etc. The travelers are requested to carry with them their essential requirements and not to leave any unwanted material on the road. They should also not encourage any beggars on the way by giving money or food because they usually consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol from the money given to them which creates unholy atmosphere.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY!
Madurai, A statue, being worshipped as God Karuppasamy by the people of Serumakkanallur near Papanasam in Thanjavur district, has been identified to be that of 'Mahaveer Jain.' Officials of Delhi Nehru Trust, an organisation doing archaeological research, identified the statue to be Mahaveer Jain sitting in 'Padmasana Posture. A team of experts led by Tillai Govindarajan found the statue, measuring 3ft tall and 2.25ft wide. The statue belonged to later Chola period, when Jainism was the religion in some parts of the country. However, the local people worshipped the Mahaveer Jain as God Karuppasamy and were doing abhishekam and other poojas.
SAINTS
13TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF ACHARYA TULSI
A function was organised at JVB Ladnun in pious presence of Acharya Mahaprajna and Sri B.L. Joshi, Governor of Uttrakhand, in the memory of Acharya Tulsi of Terapanth. Acharya
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8/11/2009