Jain Spirit 2003 03 No 14

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

Page 19

NEWS IN
WORLD'S LARGEST JAIN TIRTHANKARA STATUES INSTALLED AT AJMER Rajasthan, India The largest ever statues of ashta-dhatu (an alloy of eight metals) are being installed at a new temple complex, which is being constructed on a hill at Gyanodaya Teerth Kshetra, near Ajmer in Rajasthan. The complex covers the entire hill and a large number of pilgrims arrive there every day. It is becoming a major religious pilgrimage centre for the Jain community, especially those belonging to the Digambara Jain sect. According to the plans, the complex will consist of 24 temples, one for each Tirthankara. The images of three Tirthankaras, Shri Shanti Nath Ji, Kunthu Nath Ji and Arah Nath Ji have already been installed. They are made of ashta-dhatu and each of them is reported to weigh as much as 24 tonnes, a record figure for any metallic Jain statue in the world. The estimated cost of the entire project is said to be Rs. 25 crores.
BAHUBALI DEVOTEES IN COLOURFUL ANNUAL CEREMONY Shravana Belgola, India The devotees of Bhagwan Bahubali performed the annual Mastakabhisheka ceremony with traditional fervour and splendour on 30 September 2002 in Shravana Belgola. The Mastakabhisheka at Gommatagiri is performed on an annual basis. The five-metre tall statue appears to change its colour as milk. vermilion, turmeric, tender coconut and sandalwood paste are cascaded down over it. The first round of Mastakabhisheka was followed by offerings of flowers and the statue was smeared with vermilion and turmeric. Sri Devendrakeerthi Bhataraka Swamiji of Hombuja Jain Math supervised the Mastakabhisheka while the priests performed the rituals from a specially erected platform behind the statue. This holy event was witnessed by more than 6000 devotees gathered from all over Karnataka. The Swamiji called upon the gathered devotees to spread the message of Gommatesvara in particular and Jainism in general.
JAIN MAHASAMMELAN CALLS FOR UNITY AND CO-OPERATION Rajasthan, India A huge congregation of Jains from all the Shvetambara sects, known as a Mahasammelan, was held on 27 October 2002 at Sadri in Rajasthan. The mass gathering was inspired by and held in the presence of Jain saint Acharya Shri Padma Sagar Surishwarji, who is the founder of Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra at Kobe near Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The popular event was organised by Bharatiya Sanskriti Samanvay Sansthan, (B.S.S.S.) of Jodhpur with the objective of discussing various topical subjects such as: unity, cooperation and coordination amongst different sects, removal of social evils, stopping misleading propaganda against Jain saints, protection of Jain temples and property from attacks in various parts of the country, and development activities for people in under-developed areas. A large number of religious leaders from different parts of western Rajasthan, representatives of different Jain Trusts and temple authorities, Members of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly and Officers of Administrative Services participated in this event.
Shri Jas Raj Chopra, a retired High Court Judge, Chairman of State Consumer's Forum and also Chairman of B.S.S.S. stressed the need to establish and uphold the prestige and dignity of the Jain community. Towards this end he suggested striving for achieving greater representation of Jains in the administrative services. Shri D.R. Mehta, who was amongst the special guests invited to take part in the programme, indicated an urgent need to unite the disintegrating elements in Jain society. Shri Padam Sagarji Maharaj in his scholarly discourse said that there was no dearth of wealth within the Jain community, but there is need to spend it wisely for social causes, forgetting differences and working in unity for social development and progress.
VEGETARIANISM: THE WAY TO A HEALTHY LIFE New Delhi, India At a heavily attended gathering for celebrating World Vegetarianism and Animal Protection Day in New Delhi, Acharya Shri Vidyanandji of the Digambara Jain sect expressed his views on the importance of vegetarian diet and simple (sattvic) food. He said that these were necessary to maintain a healthy mind and strong body. He advocated that the kill and die mindset should be replaced by 'live and let live'. Dr. D.C. Jain, Head of the Department of Neurology at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, said that 160 types of ailments prevalent in the world are due to the consumption of non-vegetarian food. Recent research has shown that such food is responsible for many serious diseases such as heart ailments, paralysis and cancer. Shri Ramesh Chandra, Working President of Bharatiya Gyanpeeth, stated that vegetarianism is not just a mode of eating. It is a scientific way to a healthy life and that is why more people are switching over to vegetarian food in western countries. It is painful to observe that in a country like India, which has a strong history of vegetarian culture, is now moving towards non-vegetarianism.
INTERFAITH CELEBRATION TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HUMANITY Mumbai, India On 2 October 2002, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the WJC (World Jain Confederation) held an interfaith seminar in Mumbai, India, to look at faith-inspired cures for the ills of society. The WJC's Forgiveness and Goodwill Day Celebration (KshamapnaSadhbhavana) was graced by eminent speakers of different faiths, including Acharya Dharmadhurandhar Surishwarji, Acharya Chandana Shreeji, Bishop Thomas Dabre, Mr. Solomon Sopher, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, Prof. Anil Sarwal and Shri Gautamji, with Shilapiji as compere. The speakers discussed spiritual wisdom from their respective faith traditions, with regard to combating violence, promoting universal tolerance and peace, and developing a global vision for social coherence.
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Jain Spirit . March - May 2003