Book Title: Jain Studies and Science
Author(s): Mahaveer Raj Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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Page 245
________________ SPIRITUAL-SCIENTIFIC PERSONALITY/231 religious places where all persons from other religions also can gather on that day. People should also exchange pleasantries and sweets during these meetings, as is the practice in some parts of the country where unity of minds prevails. In addition, in order to spread the message of equality to everybody on that day a 'langar' (community kitchen and eating) can be arranged so that all people eat common food sitting side by side. How to organize these? We believe that, if all the religious and spiritual groups build strong connectivity between their own beautiful islands of happiness and solace, it is possible to turn these monthly meetings into mass movements for respecting each other's rituals, ways of life and view points. It will bring harmony and love. Peace and happiness will follow. PROJECT 2: MULTI-RELIGIOUS PROJECTS So far, religious groups have taken many efforts towards the removal of poverty and the accruing misery, in large or small scales, but in isolation. We will launch additionally a number of multi-religious projects in education, healthcare and water supply as well as for generating entrepreneurship and employment, to help the poor people. People will see for themselves that multiple religions are working together for common good. These efforts will elevate religions in the minds of the people and the nation will benefit. PROJECT 3: EDUCATION IN AND WITH THE AMBIENCE OF UNITY OF RELIGIONS All religious educational institutions operating in different parts of the country should enrol children from other religions in certain proportions and imbibe values such as religious tolerance and righteousness. The real purpose and the unity of religions should be embedded in the minds of the students. These children, who are the pillars of tomorrow, will foster a sense of peace and amity between themselves and for others. Simple exercises to reinforce positive thinking can also be attempted. In addition to these, specially designed value based educational material should be generated so that they are supplied in a large scale to the children. Attempts should also be made for large-scale dissemination of these materials through various forms of media. It may not be necessary to begin an exercise to generate these materials, as a large number of them are available in India and abroad. It may be necessary to search for them and shape them to suit our specific needs. PROJECT 4: INTER-FAITH-DIALOGUE In addition to the above projects impinging directly on common people and citizens, it is also necessary to have a continual Inter-Faith-Dialogue between the religious and spiritual heads as well as scholars. This dialogue Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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