Jain Spirit 2002 06 No 11

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

Page 12

GLOBAL NEWS
WINNING ESSAY: MY PILGRIMAGE TO SHATRUNAJAYA
Ashni R. Shah
My cousin, my grandmother, my grandfather and I went to Palitana. It was a lovely day. The sun had just risen and it seemed very peaceful everywhere. We started climbing at 7:00 a.m. Before we started climbing we did darshan at the Jay Taleti. We did three pradikshana, then dhoop, divo, sathio with rice and finally the chaityavandan. My grandmother taught us what to do. Then we finally started our long awaited climb. When we had climbed a little bit, the weather changed and it started to rain. We reached Saraswati mandir. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, so we prayed that we may become clever. The temple is very small and there was a beautiful idol of Devi Saraswati. On our way we passed many small temples, resting places and pratimas. When we reached the top, all drenched, I felt a quiver of happiness. I had climbed up! We were very lucky because we got to do the pooja and pakshal of the Dada. We also did pakshal of the Adinath Bhagwan's feet. While I did this, my mind was peaceful. We did darshan again. At the top there is a Holy Rayan Tree, Lord Adinath gave his sermon under this tree. People say that if the milk from the tree falls on your head you will go to moksha in your third birth. Finally we climbed down. It was hot. I felt so good after the climb. I wished I had a chance to climb up again.
By Ashni Rajesh Shah, aged 10, from Nairobi, Kenya
10
Jain Spirit June August 2002
TIMES FOUNDATION PROMOTES INDIAN SPIRITUALITY
Mrs. Indu Jain, President, Times Foundation, launched a major new initiative at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 24 February 2002. In association with the Bharatiya Jnanpith, FICCI, FLO and other chambers of commerce, management institutions and the Indian Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, an interactive forum was initiated to bring together scholars and leaders engaged in the propagation of India's rich heritage. Some of the main objectives of the forum were:
Mrs. Indu Jain, President, Times Foundation
To focus on the most effective ways and means to highlight India's heritage, as well as its ancient sciences and philosophies in order to enhance the image of India so that it is acknowledged as a land of harmony and tolerance - one which nurtures and co-exists with several religions.
To announce an 'International Exchange Programme' designed for scholars and leaders to create an understanding and cultural partnership between nations and communities.
To accept nominations from fluent English-speaking scholars to carry the mission and philosophy through which peace and harmony can be created all over the world, which is imperative in the current global scenario of terrorism and violence.
To create synergies to extend the reach of Indian values in a synoptic manner and highlight them through the world media.
For further information visit: spirituality.indiatimes.com
MAHAVIR
Celebrating Mahavir's Teachings: Lessons of Ahimsa and Anekanta for Contemporary Life - was the theme of the two-day international conference that brought together an international group of scholars to celebrate the 2600th Birth Anniversary of Vardhaman Mahavir. California State Polytechnic University hosted the conference on 19-20 January 2002 at Cal Poly Pomona. It was co-sponsored by the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), Infinity Foundation and the Jain societies of Southern California and San Diego. Around 200 people attended.
Prof. Tara Sethia, Organising Committee Chair, provided an introduction highlighting the need to explore the significance of the Jain principles of ahimsa and anekanta (non-absolutism) in the context of violence and intolerance that prevails in our world today. The Conference served as an opportunity to understand the ideas and ideals of Jain principles of ahimsa and anekanta better in terms of their practical significance for peaceful and harmonious coexistence of individuals, families, communities and nations.
The keynote speaker was Mr. Satish Kumar from Schumacher College, England, Editor of Resurgence magazine. His talk Mahavir and Reverential Ecology inspired and enthused the audience. The conference summary and response was delivered by Prof. Padmanabh S. Jaini from the University of California, Berkeley, who illuminated the themes and questions
Cetic
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