Jain Spirit 2003 02 No 13

SR No.: 528993
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 68
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, UK_Jain Spirit, & UK
File Size: 17 MB

Page 10

GLOBAL NEWS
New Jain Community Centre Opens in Manchester
The opening ceremony of the new Manchester Jain Community Centre was held on 21 September 2002. The event was attended by over 500 people, including guests from both Jain and non-Jain communities in other parts of the UK, as well as several local dignitaries. The centre was officially opened by Rt. Hon Gerald Kaufman M.P., in whose constituency the centre is located. During the evening's proceedings, the community was congratulated and the new centre welcomed in speeches by visiting dignitaries, including an official message from the City of Manchester, which was delivered by the Lord Mayor.
There was an almost tangible sense of excitement as Jain Samaj Manchester celebrated the opening of the centre: it marked the beginning of a new era as this is the first time the community has had its own building, complete with custom-made facilities for community events and activities. The evening included a programme of dance and music, including performances of classical, folk and modern dance by youth members of Jain Samaj Manchester. Guests and members were treated to a vegetarian dinner, and also enjoyed the opportunity to browse through a specially mounted exhibition on Jainism and the activities of Jain Samaj Manchester.
Young Jain Samaj Manchester members dressed in traditional costumes for their Gujarati folk dance at the opening ceremony
The BBC and Jainism
spirituality of life rather than just established religions. Such programmes "start from the standpoint that, although we're often driven by material needs, there is an inherent dissatisfaction there as well." Mr. Bookbinder went on to say that, in the tradition of the BBC, programmes like these are intended to provide a service by bringing the more profound questions of life closer to the surface for listeners and viewers.
Alan Bookbinder, Head of Religion and Ethics at the BBC, met with Jain Spirit
In conversation with Jain Spirit in July 2002, the BBC's Head of Religion and Ethics, Alan Bookbinder, reflected on how organised religion is being affected by "a broad wave of secularism and scepticism" in modern society, particularly in the West. Mr. Bookbinder observed that there has been a growing trend over the last two generations "of the individual being important, and working things out for yourself, and testing established beliefs against your experience rather than just accepting them because they are tradition." In this context, Mr. Bookbinder said that the BBC's religious and ethical programmes include those that address a broad
The Indian Vice President, Bharon Singh Shekhawat, urged Jains in India to launch a countrywide movement against all kinds of violence, and to unite other like-minded people in this effort. The Vice President was addressing a national gathering of Jains at an event organised by the umbrella body Jain Mahasabha to celebrate Universal Brotherhood and Forgiveness Day at the end of the festival of Paryushan in September 2002. On this last day of Paryushan,
8 Jain Spirit December 2002 February 2003
INDIAN VICE PRESIDENT URGES JAINS TO LAUNCH NON-VIOLENT MOVEMENT
Mr. Bookbinder also expressed a keen interest in Jainism and the lay Jain community, and was pleased to have made contact with Jain Spirit. It was agreed that the BBC could use Jain Spirit as a conduit for making further contacts within the Jain community worldwide, and for adding Jains to the BBC's Diversity Database, which is used for inviting representatives of different U.K. groups to contribute to BBC programmes. OR M
During the meeting, Jain Spirit pointed out that the BBC's Religion & Ethics web site did not include a section on Jainism, and Mr. Bookbinder immediately agreed that this should be rectified. As Jain Spirit went to print, we learnt that plans to add a Jainism section to the web site were already underway. 30
Jains seek forgiveness for their mistakes and take a pledge to promote brotherhood and friendship with all.
Dr. L. M. Singhvi also delivered a keynote address at the event, in which he emphasised every person's right to freedom and to live without fear.
Monks representing all the Jain sects offered their blessings at the event. In their address, they focused on Lord Mahavir's message of respect for all life, not just human beings.