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THE WORLDVIEW OF JAINISM
[Key Note Speech at the Inauguration of the First Jain Temple in Europe - the Jain Temple at Leicester City in UK, in October, 1988)
I feel decply honoured to be invited to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of this wonderful Jain temple in the heart of the city of Leicester in United Kingdom. It is the very first Jain temple in Europe and I congratulate the Jain Community of Leicester and of England for its pioneering effort.
In a very important sense, the 'flame' of 'Ahimsa' is lit. I am confident froin now on the message of Jainism would spread far and wide in the context particularly of its relevance to the ongoing crisis in the western society and the jolt it has received in its history on account of two world wars, and earlier on account of violent religious conflicts.
Today's war-weary, tension-filled, hatred-infested global community needs the compassionate message of Jain religion to show them the right path towards inner contentment and outer stability, progress and happiness.
The other day when I was with the King of Belgium for a meeting as India's Ambassador, I was delighted to learn that he had seen the film “Gandhi” seven times, and both he and had the Queen were great admirers of Mahatma Gandhi's successfully accomplished mission through love, persuasion and tolerance. I was gratified to hear from him that he knew that in his impressionable years, young Gandhi had been deeply inspired by a Jain Guru and in his childhood by his Jain mother.
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