Jain Spirit 2002 03 No 10

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

Page 10

RATIONS
BRIEFLY
Tirthankara Mahavir Educational and Charitable Trust at Muradabad has established a Tirthankara Mahavir Institute of Management and Technology. This Institute will offer graduate and post-graduate courses in Information Technology, Computer applications and E-Commerce.
A research institute has been established at Madhuban which provides extensive library facilities to assist research in Jainology. An education and research institute is being established at Udaipur in Rajasthan. Shri Ganeshmuni laid the foundation stone for the building on 29 October 2001. This institute will be a learning centre and will house research into Jain religion, spiritual practices, philosophy, culture, medicine and meditation.
The government of Nepal have decided to release a coin of 15 grams with a 92% silver content priced at Rs.160. This coin will have the image of the Jain apostle Mahavir on one side.
The government of India has decided to release a Mahavir coin of the denomination Rs.5.
Viralayam, a 50-acre education and meditation complex near Pune in Maharashtra was opened.
The government of Punjab will issue gold and silver coins to commemorate the 2600th Janmakalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir. The gold coins will be 24 carat, weighing 10 grams and the silver coins will weigh 50 grams.
The Birla Archeological and Cultural Research Institute of Secunderabad compiled a book on Jainism and Jain art, architecture, literature and philosophy. The book is a collection of valuable research papers presented by eminent thinkers and philosophers on Jain religion and culture.
A committee to oppose the opening and running of slaughterhouses in Andhra Pradesh has been constituted. The committee headed by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State for Urban Development will also include Shri Bangaru Laxman, the President of Bharatiya Janta Party, other MPS and MLAs from the State. The committee will present the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a motion for banning the export of meat and closing down of mechanised slaughterhouses in the country.
"Discover Jainism", a specially designed CD-ROM for Jain children to learn the basics of Jainism was released. Visit www.discoverjainism.com for more information.
The Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi, a hospital with research, education and training facilities was recently inaugurated.
Jalmandir of Pavapuri, a huge replica of the temple where Mahavir attained moksha, was created at Chowpatty, Mumbai.
The Ranavat Foundation organised an exhibition of paintings based on Yantra and Mantra of Jainism by religious thinker Shivanand Saraswati at Mumbai.
GLOBAL NEWS
OBITUARIES
HINDU SATGURU SIVAYA SUBRAMUNIYASWAMI, one of Hinduism's foremost and globally prominent spiritual teachers attained Maha Samadhi, "Great Union," on 15 November 2001, age 74, at his ashram home on the tropical island of Kauai, Hawaii, USA. Born in Oakland, CA, USA, Gurudeva formed the first Hindu temple in the US in San Francisco in 1957. In 1970, he moved to Kauai to establish Kauai Aadheenam, a monastery and temple. He became an international Hindu leader, a prolific author and publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, an eminent international journal on modern Hinduism that was an inspiration for the founding of Jain Spirit. Hinduism Today evolved over 21 years from a simple newsletter to an award-winning, international, full-colour magazine, and is respected for its authoritative reporting on Hindu events, institutions, personalities, issues and controversies around the world. Gurudeva had been diagnosed with incurable intestinal cancer and he died surrounded by 23 members of his monastic order on the 32nd day of his self-imposed fast.
ACHARYA DHARAM RATNASAGARJI, 95 years, left for heavenly abode on 20 August 2001 at Surat after a prolonged illness.
SHRI RAMDHARIMUNI, 83 years, a disciple of Roshanlalji Maharaj, breathed his last at Peetampura, New Delhi. Having been on fasting for the previous 8 days, he took 'santharo'.
MAHASATI TARAKUNWARJI, belonging to Shraman Sangha for 42 years, breathed her last on the day of Rishi Panchami at Indore.
PANDIT MANGILAL SHASTRI, a retired teacher in a government school at Koon village in Udaipur district accepted Digambar Muni Diksha (initiation) from Muni Samantbhadra Sagarji at 11 a.m. on 11 August 2001. Just within an hour of the diksha ceremony, his soul left the body forever. The incident aroused great respect and reverence for the departed saint and thousands of devotees gathered at the time of cremation, which was held on the same day.
DR. NEMICHAND JAIN, a social worker, writer and journalist passed away on 8 August 2001 at Indore, India. Dr. Jain was recently awarded the Bhagwan Mahavir Foundation Award for his work on vegetarianism.
SHRI SANJAYMUNI, disciple of Pravartak Shri Rameshmuni breathed his last at Pune on 23 September 2001 after a brief illness at the age of 56. Shri Sanjaymuni was a highly learned saint, having had deep insight into Agamic literature. He was an effective and eloquent speaker.
SHRI MOHANLALMUNIJI, 'Ameet', a disciple of Acharya Shri Tulsi left for heavenly abode after a prolonged illness at Bikaner. He was a true philosopher-reformist and a great preacher totally dedicated to the cause of spreading the message of ahimsa.
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT: Gachhadhipati (sect-leader) Acharya Devsurishwarji Maharaj, 91 years, a disciple of late Acharya Amratsurishwarji and Nemisurishwarji, attained Samadhi (died). Acharyshri belonged to Udaipur - Rajasthan took diksha at the age of 19 and served the community for 71 years.
March May 2002 Jain Spirit 9