Jain Spirit 2000 03 No 03

SR No.: 528983
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, UK_Jain Spirit, & UK
File Size: 14 MB

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GLOBAL NEWS
Mr. Manibhai Mehta of Los Angeles, Mr. Pravin Shah from Raleigh and other dignitaries
planting a tree of peace at the parliament.
JAINS PROMINENT IN PARLIAMENT OF WORLD RELIGIONS
THE THIRD COUNCIL OF THE Parliament of World Religions took place in Cape Town, South Africa between 1st December & 8th December 1999. Representatives from all the major (and minor!) world religions met, in the words of the council organisers, "to experience astonishing spiritual and cultural variety, to exchange insights, to share wisdom, and to celebrate their unique religious identities".
The first council for the Parliament, held in 1893, was an historical occasion, as this was the first time Jainism had really been introduced to the outside world. Virchand Raghavji Gandhi gave an inspiring address explaining the principles of Ahimsa which was received with great enthusiasm by those delegates attending. This tradition of placing Jainism on the world map at the
parliament has continued, both at the 1993 revival of the council, and at the recent 1999 meeting.
Organisers estimated that the final attendance at the council was somewhere in the region of 7,500 delegates, including over 350 journalists from all over the world. As well as discussing opportunities for achieving harmony between the world's religions, delegates discussed some of the most pressing issues facing humanity at the present time, including the AIDS epidemic, the impending environmental crisis and issues of world aid and taxation.
Amongst the representatives present was a delegation of 30 Jains coordinated by the Institute of Jainology. Some of the world's most prominent Jain leaders were present as speakers, including Acharya Chandaniji, Dr. L.M.
Singhvi, Dr. N.P. Jain, Satish Kumar and Sadhvishri Shilapiji. Shri Chitrabhanu was unable to attend, but had a lecture read on his behalf by Dr. N.P. Jain.
Over three thousand delegates attended the opening ceremony on 1st December, held in the Good Hope Centre. Acharya Chandanaji was one of many religious leaders who gave a many religious leaders whe blessing to this event. The first day of the council also saw the lighting of the International Peace Flame in Cape Town's infamous District 6, the site of appalling violence against black South Africans in the 1960s.
Many diverse and exciting issues relating to Jainism both directly and indirectly were raised at the event. December 2nd saw Dr. Singhvi give one of his several addresses, "The Future of Faith Traditions and the State of the Future". Speaking about the decline of
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