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MAILBOX
PHOTOS TOO HARSH Harsh Maroo, Kenya, Nairobi, writes:
By way of constructive comment, I would refer to the March - May 2001 issue No. 8,
Mailbox
THE ONLY WAY TO ACHIEVE PEACE page 13. It is true that nothing beats pictures
Jain Spirit
Mr. Mahasukh M. Shah, Mumbai, India, writes: at times to drive home a point or message. editors @jainspirit.org However, I feel that the PETA picture of a
In Mumbai, India, we are trying to keep ourselves a cow being subjected to indignity was perhaps
Umut
little more inclined towards religion. We are amongst unnecessary and inappropriate. In my opin
those who strongly believe that Jainism - I don't mean ion, the readers of Jain Spirit should not be subjected to such the Jain religion, but the "path" Jainism has carved for us, can only be the photos.
road for achieving peace and happiness for this world which is on the threshold of the 21st century full of speed, competition, science and
tensions. We shall be more than happy to contribute whatever we can for MAHAVIR'S
Jain Spirit LEGACY CD
MAHAVIR'S LEGACY Meeta Shah, London, UK - The
JAIN WORDS AND SPELLINGS Mahavir's Legacy
Jaysukh Mehta, London, UK writes: CD is a very good recording and we all
I must congratulate you on the quality and the variety of articles in the like listening to it
current issue (8) of Jain Spirit. The quality of articles has been improving especially my daughter
consistently and some of the articles have been good material for who likes listening to the
referencing. The width of subjects covered is really wide and makes for Jain prayers and stavans."
compelling reading.
I have a small suggestion that I hope you will welcome. As you are Prof. Nalini Balbir, Paris, France - "I wanted to tell you that aware most of Jain "paribhashik" vocabulary does not have exact I liked it (Mahavir's Legacy CD) very much. The Sanskrit equivalent in English and we have to make do with the something that passages are very clear and the music is of very high quality. It sounds similar. Why not set a trend to start using the actual words and is really enjoyable and inspiring."
expect them to become acceptable for inclusion into the Oxford English
Dictionary. This is how I assume words like "Guru" and "Karma" Minal Shah, London, UK - "An absolutely wonderful piece of became current in the English language. The English language is very music with great singers too! It made my Paryushan special." adaptable and once it becomes apparent that there is no equivalent word
in English, it readily accepts foreign words. Pierre Amiel, Nice, France - "I am extremely delighted every The examples I have are: time I listen to it. It is a great realisation to commemorate such Soul & Amma a pious event."
Soul has a very Christian connotation to it and everyone (at least those
with Western education) believes that a soul belongs to a particular body Tasvi (8) and Rishav (5) Shah, London, UK - "We listen to - like saying "Let John's soul rest in peace." If we were to use Atma we the (Mahavir's Legacy) CD every night before we go to sleep!" would say - "Give peace to the Atma that left John's body." The
difference is very subtle but very clear. The Oxford English Dictionary
already accepts Atma as a distinct word - we should MARK TULLY ARTICLE INSPIRES
encourage its use. Shaileen Shah, London, UK, writes:
JAIN SPIRIT - ISSUE 8
Gyan/Agyan Re: Mark Tully Probes Jainism, issue 8
Normally "gyan" is translated as "knowledge and I enjoyed Part lof this interview article
"agyan" as "wrong knowledge". If we call gyan for a number of reasons including the
“wisdom" and agyan "folly" the meaning of the two style and flow. In particular how
words would be conveyed more accurately. There concepts of Jain philosophy were shared
are several other words like "samyag, darshan" etc including the idea that there is not a
which need to become current in Jain literature. Creator God, the aspects of Karma
You have a vehicle that might make this possible. theory and Anekantavaad. The example
Perhaps you could start a discussion column of Emperor Akbar was interesting as it
inviting more examples of similar words and highlighted the influence of Jainism in
suggested usage in English, history. It's great to have access to a scholar such as P. Jaini. I look forward
Editor's response: to Part 2 of the interview! Also thanks
This is an excellent suggestion. We also have a lot of very much for the excellent Mahavir
difficulty with spelling as this is not consistent Legacy CD recently distributed to
either. We need to strike a balance with readers who subscribers.
are not familiar with Sanksrit words and make the magazine easy and accessible.
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