Ahimsa Times 2009 07 SrNo 109

Author(s): Ahimsa Times
Publisher: Ahimsa Times

Page 24

AHIMSA TIMES - JULY 2009 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
Page 24 of 29
Digamber Jain Mandir, Muneem Colony, Muzzafarnagar, West Bengal
212. Muni Shri Anekant Sagar Ji Maharaj, (Shishay - Aacharya Shri Abhinandan Sagar Ji Maharaj), Shri Digamber Jain Mandir, Kolkata
DIKSHA NEWS DIGAMBAR JAIN 'ARYIKA' DIKSHA FESTIVAL AT KUNDALPUR Jain pilgrimage destination Kundalpur where the Jain temples have been built on the surrounding hills is a divine and peaceful place for a Diksha Ceremony. Recently there was a Diksha Ceremony where fifty women embraced the Jain mother positions. They swore celibacy and renounced possessions. The ceremony took place in a huge tent, filled with thousands of Digamber Jain followers. The Jain Mothers, called 'Aryikas' wear white saris and the part of the sari covering their heads has blood spots. The Jain saints and Aryikas have shaved heads. They use their own hands to pull their hair out. The ceremony was attended by over eighty Digambar saints and also.
CHILD DIKSHAS CASE ADMITTED IN MUMBAI HIGH COURT
The Mumbai High Court has admitted a petition filed in a case of bal-diksha where in the Indorebased parents had challenged the power of the Child Welfare Committee to look into the life of a sadhvi. A bench of Justices, DKD Deshmukh and R. S. Mohite, while hearing the arguments, indicated the possibility of making compulsory the appointment of a guardian for such bal-dikshas. "We may make it necessary for a district judge to appoint a guardian for every minor who takes diksha " observed Justice Deshmukh. At one point, Justice Mohite seemed unhappy with the fate
that greeted bal dikshas. Senior counsel Rafiq Dada, assisted by advocate Sanjay Jain, said the court could not interfere with the age-old practice of diksha and the sentiments of entire Jain community.
An NGO had complained to the CWC, which had opined that the bal-dikshas required better looking after. But the parents said their daughter had chosen to take diksha on her own and no one else could intervene in the ageold tradition followed by the Jain community. The court had appointed a panel to interview the child, who had accepted diksha, NGO counsel Mihir Desai said. A report submitted to the court held that the six-year-old's diksha was "clearly a decision taken for her without thinking about the consequences" and "not in her best interests".
VEGETARIANISM : RECOMMENDED IN VEDIC SCRIPTURE - BY STEPHEN KNAPP Many times there seems to be some confusion or lack of clarity on whether the Vedic path condones or condemns the eating of meat. Often times I hear Indians and followers of the Vedic path explain that meat eating is all right, that the Vedic *shastras* do not condemn it. Of course, in this day and age meat eating includes and supports the whole meat industry, which is the systematic slaughter of thousands of animals on a daily basis. But if we actually research the Vedic texts we will find that there are numerous references in the various portions of the Vedic literature which explain in no uncertain terms the karmic dangers of meat-eating and unnecessary animal slaughter. These indicate that meat eating should be given up for one's spiritual and even material progress. This means that the Vedic conclusions that some people present for meat-eating are not accurate, and that they have never studied their own religious books very thoroughly. This is something that is important to understand, so let us take a look ...... ........to read further please click here.
NEW BOOKS ON JAINISM Jainism: A Pictorial Guide To The Religion Of Non-Violence - By Kurt Titze , Published in Delhi, India, 1998; 280 pages, 11"x9", 325 photographs, 50 in color, fine art paper. All parents wish to introduce their children to their religion and culture. In their heart of hearts, they yearn that their sons and daughters should enjoy and appreciate the qualities and traits that characterize their religious beliefs. We Jains living in this part of the world are no exception. We have seen and experienced Jainism in India. We have a strong desire to communicate our experiences to our youngsters who are growing up in this country. We ourselves would like to know more about the various places of pilgrimage, Jain images, scholarly monks, and traditions. However, we have limited resources; in particular, time. This book, 'Jainism: A Pictorial Guide To The Religion Of Non-violence' will greatly
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8/11/2009