Jain Digest 1991 11

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

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Jain Digest
Pratishtha at Siddachalam
Acharya Shree Sushil Kumarji founded the organization known as International Mahavir Jain Mission with the objective of preserving Indian tradition and culture and providing "sanskara" to the younger generation of Jains and Hindus settled out of India.
He had a dream to build a teerth in America where people could feel the spiritual environment, where people could improve their innerselves. "Siddhachalam," he said, "teerth is going to serve everyone having faith in the philosophy of non-violence and vegetarianism, hence it must play a role in bringing all of the sects together." That happened during the Mahotsav. The Pramukh Swamy Shree of Swami Narayan Hindu sect came with a group of monks to bless the temples.
In this Siddhachalam pilgrimage one can have darshan of Moolnayak Bhagwan Adinath, Parshavanath, Chandraprabhu, Mahavir Swamy, Bahubali, Manidhari Dada Jinchandraji, Padmavati Chakreshwari, Nakoda Bhairavji, Manibhadraji Ambicaji, Saraswati and others. The images
Jain Education Intemational
of all of these gods and goddesses are placed in the temples.
Participants from various countries attended many kinds of poojas. They also donated generously to the charity fund of Siddachalam. These poojas were performed according to sacred Jain scriptures and instructions. Prominent members of the Jain community honored the celebration with their valuable contributions and ideas. Narendra Parson, Suresh Lodha, Mahendra Singh Daga of California, Nagin Bhai Doshi, C.T. Doshi of Singapore, Jagdish Jain of London, Sulekh Jain, Jagat Prasad Jain of JAINA, Rupendra Bhansali of Israel, Kamal Surana, K.C. Bhaiji, A.K. Nahar, Surendra Singhvi, Lalchand Munot, Hastimal Munot of Hyderabad, Kanti Parikh of Delhi were among them.
Between August 9-11 Siddhachakra, and Adhar abhishek poojas were performed. Also the Jain soical leaders spoke on social issues in the neatly organized World Jain Conference. A number of resolutions were adopted in the three day Jain Conference. It was decided to appeal to various Airlines for introducing the Jain vegetarian meals in
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the flights. Many steps to propagate non-violence and support the efforts of Acharya Sushil Kumarji were also taken.
For the first time in the history of Jainism, Acharyas and monks of different sects advocated for a non-sectarian society and the unity of the Jains all over the world. A future plan of establishing an Ahimsa University was also approved by the Jain Congress.
Shree Sushil Kumarji addressed the gathering and pleaded for unity among all the Jains. He said that he would work all of his life for the propagation of non-violence and vegetarianism along with the philosophy of the multiplicity of the truth. He expressed his concern for the needy and deprived people of the society and vowed to help them. Protection of the animals, trees and all forms of life was the need of the day. He declared that Jainism will be propagated with a scientific approach as in the institution known as Gnan Vihar.
The concluding day of the Pratishtha Mahotsav was the day of farewell to many guests. Guruji sent his blessings and prasadam to the neighbors who appreciated the gesture.
The fortnight long celebration was completed with the active support of hundreds of volunteers. They cooked, served food and managed the teerth for thousands of people. Acharya Sushil Kumarji has achieved the goal of building a teerth where all sects meet each other with love and affection. He has shown the path of Universal brotherhood, love and truth.