Jain Spirit 2002 10 No 12

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

Page 18

NEWS IN BRIEF
CALL TO RETAIN MAHAVIR JAYANTI AS
HOLIDAY IN KARNATAKA BANGALORE, KARNATAKA The Jain community appealed to the Karnataka government to reconsider its decision to abolish the public holiday status of Mahavir Jayanti, the festival that marks the birth of Mahavir Swami. The state government made its controversial decision to cancel the holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Mahavir Jayanti is the only Jain festival included in the list of national holidays.
REVIVING JAINISM CHAMARAJANAGARA, KARNATAKA Bhattarakha Bhuvanakeerthi Maharaj of Kanakagiri stressed the utility of electronic media in the propagation and resurrection of Jainism in the present era. Speaking during the launching of the new website www.jainheritagecentres.com at Mysore on 26 May 2002, organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishath and Vardhamanaiah Trust, Mysore, he emphasised the need to employ new technology in rejuvenating Jainism. Dr. M.D. Vasantharaj, former professor of Jainology and Prakrit at Mysore University, inaugurated the website and traced the path of Jainism in India, citing the relics of the past. Mr. Nitin H. P. who designed and developed the web site explained in detail the concept and said that it is imperative and eminent to harness electronic media in creating awareness about Jainism both among the scholars and lay people alike.
VANDALISM AND THEFTS AT JAIN TEMPLES IN RAJASTHAN JALORE, RAJASTHAN Three idols of Tirthankara Bhagwan, installed recently at a famous historic temple on the Swarngiri mountain, were mutilated by dacoits, who also stole valuables from the temple, including gold and silver. Incidents of theft of valuables and mutilation of idols are increasingly common in the Jain temples of Rajasthan. Despite complaints lodged with local and state authorities, no action seems to have been taken to ensure the safety and security of Jain temples. Last year twelve cases of theft were recorded, involving loss of lakhs of rupees and antique pieces. This has given rise to serious concern amongst the Jain community and representations have been made to the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Gujarat, Governors of States, the Indian President and Prime Minister, and the Human Rights Commission
UNIQUE NEW TEMPLE AT PALITANA PALITANA, GUJARAT May 2002 saw the addition of a unique Jain temple to the 2,700-temple pilgrimage hill of Shatrunjaya. It was built by Mr.T.A. Majide, a 60-year-old Muslim. Mr. Majide, a mining engineer from Ernakulam in Kerala, donated more than sixty lakhs of rupees towards the temple. The temple was constructed in the style of an Egyptian Pyramid, without using iron and steel or RCC structure, and stands 25 long by 25' broad and 22' high. There are 17 such Pyramid-style temples in India, but this is the first to be dedicated to the Jain religion. The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Majide, which was very much welcomed by the Jain community. The family of Mr. Majide, under the guidance of Abhayasen Vijayji Maharaj, performed the statue installation ceremony (anjanshalaka pratistha). A 63 inch black marble statue of Bhagwan Parshwanath seated on a snake and 1,261 mantras engraved upon it, was installed.
KARUNA CLUBS: AN EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR CHILDREN CHENNAI, TAMILNADU Mr. Dulichand Jain, President of Karuna Clubs International, announced that Karuna Clubs initiated in Chennai schools have grown and expanded beyond expectation in different parts of India. Karuna Clubs inculcate respect, kindness and compassion towards all living beings and an appreciation of human values in children. The activities of these Clubs have created an astonishing response, especially in South India. The Clubs enjoy the full cooperation of schools and teachers. He elaborated that Karuna Clubs are actively run in 133 schools in Tamil Nadu, 127 schools in Andhra Pradesh, 22 schools in Rajasthan and 27 schools in Delhi. The activities of Karuna Clubs are being initiated at various other locations. At the Karuna Clubs International annual function, a rolling trophy and cash prizes are awarded to promising schools and children.
9TH CENTURY JAIN TEMPLE UNEARTHED KOTA, RAJASTHAN An ancient Jain temple of Bhagwan Rishabhdevji, dating back to the 9th century, was discovered at Awa, a remote village in Sangod district, 43 kilometres away from Kota. The temple complex, though in a completely dilapidated condition, is supposed to be of considerable historical and archaeological significance. The Archaeological Department of Rajasthan Government has taken charge of the site and efforts are being made to confer protected monuments' status upon it. As there is no Jain population in the vicinity of the temple, no worship is carried out and it currently lies disused,
GLOSSARY OF JAIN TERMS IN GUJARATI PUBLISHED AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT Jain Siddhantik Shabdaparichay, a 456-page glossary explaining in simple Gujarati the meanings of words used in the Jain scriptures, has recently been published. The glossary has been painstakingly compiled by Sunandaben Vohora, who hopes that it will be particularly useful to those living outside India. The book is divided into two parts, 328 pages for Glossary and other 128 pages for Dictionary.
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Jain Spirit . September - November 2002