Jain Spirit 2005 09 No23

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

Page 23

NEWS FEATURES
Experience India on the giant (MAX screen!
ONE LAID THAT ALL DESIRE TO SEE
MYSTIC INDIA
an incredible journey of inspiration
Narrated by Peter O'Toole
Box Office. 0770 1771 www.science orgas Exhibeon Road, London SW7 200 Neares undergrund: Southern Goup discounts apply for 10 or more people
Poded by SS
science museum IMAX
www.mysticindia.com
New Imax film: 'Mystic India'. Image supplied by BAPS
this life stays below when we leave," he said, "but what we do for others in this life goes with us." HE Mr. Faisz Mustapha, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, quoted movingly from the Vedas: "The world is one family. Let noble thoughts come from all directions."
politicians from his party including Lord Dholakia, Sarah Ludford MEP and Brent East MP Sarah Teather, who is a strong supporter of the Mandir's work. Mrs. Sarah Kennedy and Lady Dholakia were also present.
interfaith work being neglected. On 29 January, Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, came to the Mandir as a guest. He was welcomed by Trustees Sarah Teather MP, HE Kamlesh Sharma, Clir. Ahmed Shahzad and Brent Council leader Cllr. Ann John. Dr. Williams, who was garlanded in the main prayer hall before 2.000 worshippers, admired the marble carvings and described them as art devoted to God.
A written appeal from His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj was read out, in which he prayed that "all those afflicted by this disaster are blessed with inner strength." Volunteer Girish Patel revealed that by day two of the disaster, BAPS had distributed over 2,000 food parcels in six villages near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and 20,000 hot meals had been served by BAPS volunteers.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas, Head of the Mandir, greeted Charles Kennedy in the traditional Hindu manner by tying a nada-chhadi (red sacred string) on his right wrist and applying a chandlo (red dot) on his forehead as a mark of friendship. In his speech after touring the Mandir, Mr. Kennedy paid tribute to the Neasden temple being "...a beacon, for in this community and in our country the concept of service is something that should be important to all of us in politics." He praised Britain's cultural diversity as a strength and then, in the spirit of many-sidedness familiar to both Jains and Hindus, concluded: "I will go away inspired by what I have seen and what I have heard this evening, determined not to talk negatively about people from other political persuasions, but to talk positively and optimistically about our country and about what can and should be achieved."
The famous Neasden Temple is becoming an increasingly important part of national life as well as a trailblazer for Hinduism in Europe. Recently, they have launched the new IMAX movie 'Mystic India' which is being shown throughout the UK and has won a major award in Paris. It is a beautiful film on the best of Indian culture and history, conveyed through the visual power of an IMAX theatre - a must see for all interested in Indian culture.
This energetic response to human need is characteristic of both the Mandir and the Mission. By 19th February 2005, the temple had collected £500,000 for the Tsunami Appeal. On that day, a ceremony was held to mark this achievement and to present the funds to the ambassadors of the eight affected countries. The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Rt Hon. Charles
Kennedy, was a guest along with other Jain Education International
You can visit www.swaminarayan.org for general info on the Swaminarayan mission. Or for the Neasden temple, in particular, go to www.mandir.org Mystic India can be previewed on www.mysticindia.com
WWW.JAINSPIRIT.COM
The Tsunami Appeal has not led to