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AHIMSA TIMES - JULY 2008 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
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Rajchandra Ashram) were inaugurated in few of these cities, during the course of this first visit of Pujyashri. Devotees experienced the all embracing joy and beauty of Jain wisdom and culture, through the presence and profound teachings of Gurudev in the discourses. The informative, thought-provoking and elevating sessions conducted spread religion as a celebrative way of life and a union of synergy, enthusiasm, peace and prayer.
Gurudev, who is well-known for the youth's magnetism towards him, believes in making religion and the traditional scriptures accessible and relevant to the modern world. His perspective on practice of religion includes ideas on interfaith, philosophy, mindfulness and spiritual awareness. Timeless values of Jainism, including ahimsa, satya, saiyam, kshama, vairagya, aparigraha, and the search for moksha forms the basis for real inner growth. While today's world spends time in the rat race seeking material fortunes, Gurudev lovingly creates a spiritual transformation amongst his seekers, through harmony and faith. Pujyashri is also taking forward the eternal legacy of the most recent Jam Tirthankar, Shri Mahavira Swami, so well expounded by Shrimad Rajchandraji (1867-1901). Pujyashri's brilliance has enabled him to effortlessly master subjects like the Six Fundamental Schools of Thought, Shwetambara and Digambara Jain Scriptures, Logic, and Sanskrit to name a few.
Academically having passed M.A. (Philosophy) with a gold medal, He wrote an extensive research treatise on Shrimadji's finest literary creation, Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra (a poetic composition On self-realization), for which he was conferred with the degree of Ph.D.
ARYIKA PRASHANTMATI MATA JI CALLS UPON JAIN WOMEN TO FIGHT AGAINST FEMALE INFANTICIDE: SHRAVANABELAGOLA: Aryika 105 Prashanthmathi Mathaji has called upon Jain women to unite and fight against female infanticide. Speaking on the contribution of Aryika Mathajis to the Jain way of life, she said the Jain community had been following the tradition, started by Vrishabnath, of imparting education to daughters since centuries, Recalling the contribution of Vrishabanath's daughters Brahmi and Sundari, who together evolved the Brahmi script, she said imparting modern education along with dharmic values would help women in facing the hard realities of life. Criticising female infanticide, she called upon the Jain women to wage a sustained fight against this "anti-life" practice in society. Urging scholars to bring out a dictionary of Prakrit language, J. Jwala of Mysore, who spoke on the status of Prakrit language, said it would make the people study and understand the language in a better manner. She commended the efforts of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt in conserving the Prakrit language. She also called upon the Government to accord the status of national language on Prakrit. Lauding the translation of Dhavala texts into Kannada by the Jain mutt, she expressed hope that it would bring out more such works in the future.
Speaking on "Jain and social life," Nagaraj Ujire said Jain dharmic values propounded the harmonious relationship among different classes of people. Following a vegetarianism way of life contributed to understanding the requirements of social life. The concept of ahimsa and sacrifice always contributed to social harmony and played a pivotal role in aiding peaceful co-existence in modern society. Delivering a lecture on the "Contribution of Germans to Jain literature," M.A. Subhachandra of Mysore University's Jainology and Prakrit Department stressed the need for establishment of an autonomous Jainology University at Shravanabelagola on the occasion of the first Mahamasthakabhisheka of the new millennium.
Recalling the contribution of German Indologists in protecting and presenting the Jain literature to the world, he said it was the distinct works of Herman Yakobi that helped Jain literature reach people across the globe. Yakobi played an important role in changing the notion that Jainism was an offshoot of Buddhism, and advocating that Jainism as an independent religion, he said. Likening human life to a cricket match, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji said real knowledge, real faith and real conduct were like three stumps and the 10 Karmas are like opponents. One has to be alert to save his wicket, and only then can he become a Jina, he said in lighter vein.
TERAPANTH SAMANIJIS PRESENCE AT MULTIFAITH PRAYER IN U.K. On 26 June 2008, Samani Prasanna Pragya and Samani Rohit Pragya were invited to attend a multifaith prayer at 'St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace'. In that spiritual programme, Dr. Atul Shah introduced Samaniji to many representatives of various religions. Samaniji met with Dr. Waquer Azmi (Waterhouse consulting) - Keynote speaker of the event, Tim Parsons (City of London Police), Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe (Barclays) - Sponsor of the event, Sarah Clive (Storyteller) and informed them about Jain Principles as well as JVB London Centre's aim and activities.
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