Jain Spirit 2001 12 No 09

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

Page 22

MAHAVIR'S
MESSAGE OF AHIMSA
(NON-VIOLENCE)
Rajasthan, India:
On the holy occasion of the 26th Birth Centenary of Lord Mahavir, the provincial Indian governments and other organisations took several steps in India. The "Open University" at Kota, Rajasthan has been renamed as "Bhagwan Mahavir Open University". The Minister of Urban Development, Shanti Dhariwal announced that the renaming has been effected at a function organised in his honour recently at Udaipur. The State Government has given approval to its 21-point program to promote ahimsa and spread the message of Lord Mahavir. These include putting up billboards depicting the Lord's messages and schemes, naming roads and colonies after his name. Sale of meat and wine is banned on the premises within a range of 500 meters around any Jain pilgrimage centers within the State.
KIRTI-STAMBH (MEMORIAL PILLAR) INAUGURATED Junagadh, Gujarat, India:
On the occasion of the 2600th Janmakalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir, a Kirti-stambh was inaugurated at the famous Jain pilgrimage town of Girnar within the residential locality of the Jain community. The four-sided, 13 feet by 2.5 feet square pillar made of granite marble has the Namokar Mantra with meanings, Mahavir's life, his preaching and the names of the 24 Tirthankaras carved in gold on each side. Jain Social Group International Federation and Jain Jagruti Centre organised the inauguration of the Stambh, which was attended by many dignitaries and Jain leaders. The Institute of Jainology initiated this project and appealed to Jains to arrange for such memorials at various places.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
GLORY OF PATAN
Mumbai, India:
Patan was a famous city in the history of Gujarat and in the recent past keen interest has been shown by Pattanis (those belonging to Patan) in documenting the past glory. Many Gujarati diamond merchants and jewellers scattered worldwide belong to this community. Mukund P. Brahmkshatriya wrote five volumes on the ancient history of Patan and Gujarat following a lot of research. This summer, another volume titled "Kalikalsarvgna Shree Hemchandracharya", the great Jain scholar and Gujarati grammarian, was released in the presence of the community leaders at a special function. Industrialist Mr. C. J. Shah was felicitated for his contribution to the society.
Jain Spirit
UNIVERSITY RE-NAMED Gujarat, India:
The Chief Minister of Gujarat province, Keshubhai Patel, announced that the North Gujarat University at Patan has been renamed after the Jain Saint Hemchandracharya, who wrote the first grammar of the Gujarati language as well as scholastic Jain reference literature. The "Jain Chair" and the "Jain Education & Research Academy" will be set up soon. Meat will not be on the menu of the state-run guesthouses following a yearlong ban imposed by the Government from 1 May 2001, the Gujarat Day. Liquor is banned in a predominantly vegetarian Gujarat as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India, a Gujarati who propagated prohibition. Other measures taken to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti include:
The entire year will be observed as Ahimsa Year,
Tenders for opening new butcher houses will not be processed during the year, An Ahimsa University will be established in Gujarat, "Pinjara - poles" will be called Animal Protection Centres,
The financial grant given for animal protection and welfare will be increased by 50%,
Rs. 100,000 will be awarded for excellent work on animal welfare. EMINENT SCHOLAR DIES
Dr Pannalal Sahityachary (1911-2001) died at Kundalpur whilst worshiping the famous Jain image there. He was a popular speaker and a noted scholar of Jainology. He was the author of over 100 books and was also honoured with the President's Award from the Government of India.
JAIN TEMPLE UNDER CONTROL OF POLICE
A Jain temple in the Indian town of Khandwa has been seized by the police following a dispute over who controls the temple. The dispute is already under litigation. Prominent Jain leaders will intervene in the meantime to help calm the issue.
December 2001 February 2002
ANCIENT JAIN SCULPTURE FOUND
2 August 2001, Sirsi, Karnataka: An ancient stone sculpture of Padmavati has been found at the famous pilgrimage place of Shankara Honda. The black stone sculpture of about 50 cms in height, 25 cms in width and 8 cms thick from 14 - 15th century is of post-Vijayanagara period. This is characterised with the carving of Jain Yakshinis on either side of the Tirthankara sculpture. It is in the Samabhangi standing posture having Dvibhuja with a Padma (lotus flower) in her left hand while the right hand is in the Abhaya mudra. Though the facial portion is damaged, the Sindor on the forehead is visible. The hair is neatly combed and adorned by Baitale padaka (hair ornament). The idol is adorned by a beautifully carved Kirita (crown), Kivi vole (earrings), a Padaka hara (necklace with locket), which has a miniature carving and a carved Daabu (waist belt). The sculpture was probably installed in a Jain settlement, and may have later been thrown into the water tank as it was not worshipped. This reveals the existence and survival of the Jain tradition in the Kannada region.
MAHARAJ AND ACHARYAJI FORCED TO FLEE MUMBAI Acharya Suri and Yaso Varma were forced to leave Vile Parle, Mumbai after being embroiled in a scandal involving sex, violence and tantra-mantras. The pair left their domain along with four other diciples. It is said that this incident has "shaken" the trust of all Jains in Sadhu's Maharaj all over India.