Jain Spirit 2001 06 No 08

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

Page 10

GLOBAL NEWS
Young Jain of The Year 2000 | Germans Attack
Pakistan Government
Shital Shah was selected as Young Jain of The Year 2000 for his services to the development of the Young Jains website. Shital achieved this rare distinction in spite of his physical handicap.
Animal rights activists have launched an attack on the Pakistan government for not enforcing a ban on bear and dog fights set in 1998. The Deutscher Tierschutzverein, the German Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, are looking to prominent actors and celebrities to aid their campaign to stop such a barbaric "sport". It is said that hungry dogs are pitted against a bear that has had its teeth and claws removed for the entertainment of the poor in Pakistan.
Ancient Statue Unveiled
In Paris
The Asian Arts National Museum of France in Paris (Musee Guimet) has reopened in February 2001. after 4 years of renovation. The museum contains scriptures on Jainism in several languages including Hindi, English, French and German. However, the greatest attraction for Jains will be the 77cm tall statue of Rishabhadev, the first Tirthankara. It is made of sandstone and stands remarkably well considering it was made in the 10-11th century.
Statue of Rishabhadev which is believed to be over 1000 years old at the Musee Guimet in Paris
Rajchandraji's Emancipation Centenary Concluded
as a grand finale to the year-long Centennial Celebrations of the life of Shrimad Rajchandra by Raj Sobhag Satsang Mandal, London. Three exhibitions, consisting of 90 computer-generated images depicting various events in the life of Shrimad Rajchandra were presented in April. The exhibition was opened by H.H Atmaswarup Swami, the head of the Swaminarayan Temple in London. These life size paintings truly bring to life Shrimadji's spirituality and holy conduct.
From 8-15 April 2001, special functions were arranged at the Agas Ashram, concluding the year long emancipation centenary of Shrimad Rajchandraji. Bus-trips were organised every month during the year to different places, wherever Shrimadji had lived or visited, and many people took part in these pilgrimagetirthyatras. Special bhakti, lectures, shibir (camp), special articles in Divyadhwani, visits by other religious leaders and trips were organised under Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji) of the Koba Ashram, near Ahmedabad. Similar functions were held at Deolali and other places. Puj. Rakeshbhai published his four-volume commentary on Atamasiddhi (self-realisation). The other important highlight included the
superb biographical documentary-video in English as well as Gujarati and an exhibition of life-size paintings of events in the life of Rajchandraji. A well-researched and beautifully produced volume in two languages was also published. The Raj-Sobhag Satsang Mandal, Sayla, Vavania's Rajchandra Ashram and the Institute of Jainology, London jointly produced these three valuable items. These videos, an exhibition and the books, were then shown in many other cities of India and abroad.
Globally, Jain Society of Tri-States New York, Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco and a few other places had organised the exhibitions, video shows and distribution of books besides special bhakti-pooja. The Jain Society of Toronto had an additional bhakti every month and had published special articles in their newsletter Jain Cultural Centre of Antwerp and the Institute of Jainology, London, also arranged similar activities. Both the exhibition and the film shows were held in a very elegant venue in Central Antwerp and were very well attended. About 50,000 people outside India became aware of Rajchandraji's life and his contribution to the Jain faith and literature. A series of exhibitions and film shows have been planned
Even as a child Shrimad wondered about the nature of life, death and the mysteries of the
soul. A painting shown at the exhibition
June - August 2001. Jain Spirit
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