Jain Center Minnesota MN 2007 07 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center Minnesota USA
Publisher: USA Jain Center Minnesota

Page 15

Message from the Chair, Trustee Executive Council, Hindu Society of Minnesota
Dr. Shashikant M. Sane, M.D.
Truth is One and Paths are Many
All of us rejoice today as we inaugurate the Temple of Sri Mahavir! It brings tears to our eyes as Kumud & I so very fondly remember installing the Moorty of Sri Mahavir in our Temple on Polk Street in 1985. It was a gift from our dear friends Drs. Renu & Ranjit Jain who presently reside in Las Vegas and hopefully will be attending the inauguration today. We remember that we celebrated the first Mahavir Jayanti at the Hindu Mandir in 1986 and have had the privilege to listen to the discourses from Ram Gada since 1987. Jainism strives for the realization of the highest perfection of man, which in its original purity is free from all pain and the cycles of birth, growth, decay, disease and death. The term Jain is derived from the Sanskrit "jina" meaning "conqueror" and implies conquest over the bondage imposed by the phenomenal world. Jainism does not consider it necessary to recognize god or any other being higher than a perfect man. Hinduism is not much different! Hinduism is a mystical religion, leading the devotee to personally experience the Truth within; finally reaching the pinnacle of consciousness where that individual and God are one. Hindus recognize our inherent nature to consist of SAT-eternal truth-immortal being, Chit-pure consciousness-infinite wisdom and Ananda-love and everlasting happiness. No matter if one is an atheist or believer, worldly individual or a being of dispassion one is seeking Immortal Life, Infinite Wisdom & Eternal Love!
Jainism grew out of Hindu understanding of Dharma, Samsara, Maya, Reincarnation, and Moksha. The traditions of Yoga, Meditation are the same in both faiths. Many symbols such as Lotus, Chakra etc also carry the same symbolic significance. Because of the commonality of the values such as Truth, NONVIOLENCE, LOVE, COMPASSION, TOLERENCE, PURITY etc espoused by both Jainism & Hinduism there have been a very few if any conflicts between these great traditions over the past 2500 years. In this 21st century both these faiths have to walk together hand in hand, encourage other faiths in joining their hands and lead the way to establish peace & prosperity around the world through truthfulness and nonviolence, love & compassion. Let us not ever forget as to why we built these unique and masterful, artistic and beautiful temples within this magnificent HINDU TEMPLE in MAPLEGROVE. These temples are not exclusively for our present generation of 1" generation immigrants only, which of course were fortunate enough to be enriched with our divine heritage, age-old traditions and ever loving upbringing by our parents and extended families in India. This new temple is dedicated mostly for our future generations of JAINS, HINDUS and individuals of all other faiths who want to learn and understand as to how we can make sure that our blue planet-Mother earth-Bhoodevi, not only survives but actually thrives. The new Mahavir temple inspires us all to bring those simple practices in our day to day real life and remains as a shining example for others to emulate. We must also hold on to our leadership role amongst the major religious practices, continue to create philosophical breakthroughs, and maintain interfaith harmony around the globe. We must also hold accountable our elected local, statewide and national leaders to the same standards of accountability and the ethical and moral standards.
I shall conclude by quoting Sri Ramkrishna who is unquestionably a modern day saint. He said, "I say that all are calling on the same God---it is not good to feel that my religion is true and other religions are false. All the faiths seek the same object. A mother prepares dishes to suit the stomach of her children-God made religions to suit different aspirants, times and countries. All doctrines are only so many paths"
Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti
13