Jain Spirit 2001 06 No 08

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

Page 15

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2600th
Bhagwan Mahavir Birthday (Janmakalyanak) News and Reports of many functions at various places around the world of the 2600th Bhagwan Mahavir Birthday (Janmakalyanak) on 6 April 2001 is included here, as a special report from different places.
NEWS IN NEWS IN BRIEF
In Toronto, Canada, the yearlong celebrations are held at the Jain Society, Sanatan Mandir, and new Sri Jain Mandir having several separate functions. Some of the programs included special Pooja, Bhakti, Angi, Bhavna, a video of a play, an inaugural Acharya Sushilkumarji Peace & Non-violence Lecture on "Religion and Warfare", an article in the daily on "Understanding Non-violence", "Picture Postage" Canadian stamp with a Jain symbol and design, and the chanting of Namokar-Mantra Jaap at the Vijay Muhrat of 12:39 hrs on 6 April. The celebrations of Jains from Edmonton, Canada, included Navkar jaap, pooja and prayers, an interfaith dialogue with Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Jains on "Ahimsa & Compassion", the distribution of Jain literature, feeding the poor and homeless people, presentation on Jainism at the local church, publishing an article in the newspaper, interfaith prayers at the City Hall, and a Jain prayer at the opening of the City Council Meeting. Jain Vishwa Bharti, from Orlando and Houston, USA, published two English books on this occasion entitled Economics of Lord Mahavir and Lord Mahavir's Scripture of Health by Acharya Mahaprajna.
In Dubai, UAE, celebrations for this once in a lifetime event, started with people observing penance, meditation and fasts,
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like upwaas, ekasan, ratri bhojan, kandmul, lilotari tyag, swadhyaya, extra samayiks, jap and dhyan for 26 days. There was no daily time limit for these activities but people spent minimum 48 minutes on practices like scripture study, chanting of japs and meditation. That was their way of celebrating the Janmakalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir.
Young Jains Professionals Convention
Florida, USA:
The fourth Young Jain Professionals Convention was held 2-5 March 2001, attended by forty participants. Highlights included icebreaker activity where everyone was asked to interpret a story where Jain principles are violated, giving a chance to think. Dr. Anne Vallely of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, gave keynote address: she spoke on the background of Jainism in North America. Introspective and educating group discussions on the five principles of Jainism: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) and Brahmacharya (chastity) were conducted respectively by Paulomi Gudka, Amar Salgia, Neha Jhaveri, Rita Kothari and Gabriel Figuerora. Yoga, meditation and recreational activities gave participants a chance to relax and rejuvenate for the day. The Chef who prepared the dinners spoke about his vegan food varieties and the secrets of his recipes. Neelesh Jain and Shilpa Shah shared their experiences of the experiment.
Jain Temple Plans Approved
Leeds, UK:
The Hindu Charitable Trust of the UK have agreed to have a Jain Chaitalya (statue) in their new £1m temple. The architect of the Chaitalya, Mr Rajesh Sampura, has constructed several Jain temples mostly in India. The Chaitalya will be made from white marble and Mr Sampura will incorporate traditional Jain design. It is expected that the temple will be completed during the month of August 2001.
Simobig El
New Pavapuri Tirth
Mt Abu, India:
A model sacred place of pilgrimage is constructed 44 km from Mount Abu Road in Rajasthan. Babubhai Punamchand Sanghvi, a diamond merchant of Mumbai & Surat is spending millions of Rupees, giving valuable time supervising the planning and constructions of not only a religious temple but also a full-fledged social service complex. When completed, the 500 acres of land will have a temple, a religious school, an animal shelter, a seminary, a hospital, a dairy and other services such as water, fire brigade, staff quarters and other related services. The temple inauguration with religious ceremonies was held from 29 January to 7 February, attended by several Acharyajis, sadhus-sadhvijis, religious leaders, political dignitaries, VIPs, guests and thousands of Jains from far and near places in India and abroad. The inner sanctum of the temple has Parshwanath Tirthankara idol as the main and nine other images of Mahavirswami, Adinathji, Sumatinathji, Shantinathji, Sankheswarji Pundarikswami, Sudharma Swami Gautamswami, and Simandharswami.
Research Centre Inaugurated
Mumbai, India:
On the last Gnan Panchami Day, Saurashtra Kesri Pranguru Jain Philosophical & Literary Research Centre was inaugurated under the Chairmanship of Pravinchandra Gambhirchand Shah. Gunvantbhai Barvadiya, the Hon. Co-ordinator gave details of aims and objects of the new center. He said that more than 1.5 million manuscripts are lying in Jain Bhandars Libraries. Ancient and Middle age Jain literature are stored at various Jain temples and museums. The Centre plans to publish these manuscripts, publish informative booklets and maintain website with original texts and links. The "Gnansadhna and Saraswati Vandana" book was released. Many Jain leaders attended the function and addressed the gathering.