JAINA Convention 1991 07 Northern California

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 5

"Extending Jain Heritage to the Next Generation"
Message from
Dr. L. M. Singhvi Indian High Commissioner, U.K.
"The convention on the Jain heritage and its great potentialities in the field of Ecology and nonviolence is a landmark event, providing an opportunity for going to the roots of that heritage and mapping of its routes for its future. It is my view that it is essential to illumine and underline the vision which makes the heritage of Jainism vital and relevant not only for our day and age but also for all our tomorrows.
An understanding of the essence of that heritage and a rational and purposeful dissemination of that understanding is the first pre-requisite to the task of handing over the best of that heritage to the next generation. There has to be a holistic interpretation and presentation of the noble heritage of basic ideas which constitute the sheet anchor of Jainism. The creation of a whole new body of literature based on an authentic analysis of the sacred texts ought to be a high priority. This literature should be an authentic and simplified restatement. It should be presented in a language to which the people in different countries would find it easy to relate to.
The Indogenic Jains spread all over the world have an important role to play in a careful attempt to create and disseminate this new body of literature while at the same time making the ancient texts more accessible. It is also necessary to provide for a serious study of the ancient scriptural texts and other literature which is found in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi. Bibliographic studies should also be encouraged. Library centres should be created. A programme of scholarly analysis appraisal and communication should be encouraged. Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard as well as other universities shold be prompted and persuaded to establish chairs and lectureships for specialised teaching and research.
All this is essential because the scholarly traditions of Jainism ought not to be allowed to be lost. It is equally important that the tradition of mass communication among the Jains ought to be maintained and augmented. It is important to take the message of Jainism not only to the Jains or to other Indogenic people but also to people of other nationalities of Jainism is to achieve a place of pride in the comity of relgions and philosophical traditions.
Social communication and programme activities are also very necessary to build up a larger sense of belonging not only among those who believe in its tenets. Even among those who are born in the Jain traditions, customs and usage, it is necessary to cultivate their awareness of Jainism and win their allegiance to it on the basis of reason and good sense and in terms of contemporary relevance.
The younger generation is a questioning generation and Jainism believes in asking and answering basic questions on a scientific basis. Sachham Bhagwan, Truth is the Supreme God and Master, said Bhagwan Mahavir. What is more, Jainism raised and resolved many complex issues of ethics, equality, and human obligations to all living being including Nature.
The contribution of Jainism to ecology and the special feature of Jainism as a religion of ecology must be highlighted. I would say in all humility that whereas all other religions and philosophical systems have developed approaches to environment, Jainism made its commitment to environment an inseparable and integral part of its creed.
It is necessary to reflect on the conceptual foundations and the application technologies of nonviolence (Ahimsa) and relativism (Anekant) envisioned by Jainism as the foundation of civilised society for there is a boundless potential in the philosophy of relativism and non-violence for world peace and for a re-ordering of human relations so as to build a more just and human order based on human dignity and human rights.
The future of this great heritage of India is in the hands of the youth and I hope that every effort would be made to broadbase the conceptualisation and the blueprinting of Jain heritage for the next generation in terms of a universal appeal. Once again I send my choicest good wishes to the convention."
JULY 1991
3
6TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION
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