Jain Journal 2001 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 49

140
JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXV, No. 3 January 2001
covering their nose and mouth, so that they do not inhale living organisms. The Deravasi Jains worship idols, perform pujas, light lamps and offer prayers.
The Lampless temple, the only one of its kind in Kerala, is one hundred years old. It's just a cool spacious hall sans idols where men and women sit separately to meditate. Thousands of pigeons feeding on offerings from devotees greet your arrival. Jain monks and nuns walk barefoot to this Sthanak every year in pilgrimage. To cope with the increasing rush of Jain pilgrims, renovation plans are afoot estimated at around Rs. 30 lakhs. Jainism in Kerala dates back to the third century. Relics of the religion's significant past presence is marked by temples that have survived the onslaught of time and fundamentalism, like the temple in Wyanad, or the Kallil Bhagavati temple in Perumbavoor or the temple in Nagercoil.
Jainism is undergoing a revival, even abroad, with more people getting attracted to it by its cardinal principles, like 'live and let live', 'forget and forgive', and even vegetarianism.
Even its prayers are not addressed to an individual god but to all those who are an embodiment of all virtues.
The Indian Express 14 August 2000
Mahaveer's teachings recalled
The teachings of Lord Mahaveer and tenets of Jainism were recalled by speakers at a function organised here (at Chennai) on September 16, to espouse the cause of universal peace.
The function was organised as part of the ongoing 2600th birth anniversary celebrations of the Jain monk by the Shri Chandraprabhu Jain Naya Mandir Trust.
The speakers stressed the need to preserve the environment and ensure peace not only among humankind, but also between men and animals. Jain Acharyas Nityodaya Sagar Suriji Maharaj and Chandranan Sagar Suriji Maharaj participated in the function in which ‘Mahamangalik' was rendered.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. N. Veerasamy, Minister for Health and Electricity, promised all support and protection to the Jain community.
Mr. L. Ganesan, general secretary of the Tamil Nadu unit of the