Jain Spirit 2000 03 No 03

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 12

GLOBAL NEWS
LORD MAHAVIR'S BIRTHDAY TO BE CELEBRATED IN THE MILLENNIUM DOME
NMEC
A Dance-drama depicting the life of Lord Mahavir
The Faith Zone of the Millennium Dome
Large Celebrations Planned in India for
Mahavir's 2,600 Birth Anniversary
SUNDAY 16th APRIL 2000 WILL SEE A SPECIAL performance of a play depicting the life story of Bhagwan Mahavira in the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, London. The play, timed to coincide with celebrations of Mahavir Jayanti, will highlight the central tenets of Jain philosophy, whilst vividly narrating the life story of Lord Mahavir. The 20-minute performance which will occur four times during the day will be exciting and colourful, and will incorporate elements of dance, drama and music.
The newly opened Millennium Dome has been designed as a celebration of the United Kingdom, its society and its future. Onc aspect of this enterprise is the 'Faith Zone', in which nine major world religions, including Jainism, have been asked to contribute a series of photographs and captions which are displayed on one of nine internally lit columns. It is hoped that approximately 12 million visitors will see the Jain display during the year 2000.
Any Jains planning to visit the Millennium Dome are encouraged to do so on the 16th Performances of the play will take place in the McDonald's Our Town Story Theatre, and there will be no separate entrance fee for the performance. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Millennium Dome ticket information line on 0870 6062000, or through any national lottery retailer. Some local rail and coach operators are also offering special discounted packages. Entrance is free to under-5s, and tickets cost £16.50 for a child (5-15) and £20 for an adult. There are also special discounts available for groups and senior citizens, please contact the Dome for more information. Further information can be found at www.dome2000.co.uk
Preparations are currently underway for large celebrations of the 2,600th anniversary of the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir in 2001. Several Indian Jain associations have collaborated in proposing a wide variety of different events to mark the anniversary to the Indian government, who are providing money and resources to aid this celebration. Mr. Sunderlal Patwa, a Jain cabinet minister, is also keen to involve Jain leaders from all over the world. At a recent meeting of the celebration committee in New Delhi it was decided that 2001 should be declared 'Ahimsa Year, and that national awards should be instituted to recognise the efforts of leading proponents of Lord Mahavir's teaching,
Amongst other ideas mooted for the celebration year are the issue of commemorative stamps and coins, the cessation of meat exports and the hosting of an inter-religious conference in India. Also planned are mobile exhibitions on Ahimsa and vegetarianism, special pilgrimage trains, a flurry of books and publications, and perhaps most ambitious, the founding of a University which carries Mahavir's name. Many of the individuals involved in planning the celebrations are keen to emphasise the environmental aspects of Mahavir's teaching. Education projects in schools and prisons are planned to help spread vegetarianism and an ethos of environmental conservation.
March - May 2000 • Jain Spirit
11
Jain Education Intemational 2010_03