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THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
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also being translated into all the languages of the world. It is not good for the Jains to keep quiet when the world is in search after Dharma. The Jaina philosophy is higher than the Buddhist. There'ore it is the duty of the Jains to propagate it.
Gentlemen! In the same way as the committee supervises the management of the Kshetras, it should also take in hand the work of repairing ruined temples. Throughout the country wherever you cast your eyes you see remains of ancient Jaina temples. Though there may be many Jains in some places they are unable to repair the temples because of their poverty. In some temples no puja is performed due to the absence of Jaina houses near by. Is there any Jaina who will not feel sorry at the sad condition of our temples? The community should take some steps in this direction. It is not possible for one or two men to do it. A substantial fund should be started for this. This can easily be done if an yearly contribution of Rs. 100 or Rs. 200 is made from the fund of temples which have an income of Rs. 2,000 or more every year. All should unanimously support this proposal. The Svetambar Jains of Bombay have begun to pay an yearly contribution of Rs. 45,000 for 5 years for the purpose of repairing the temples in Mewar and Malwa. They have also commenced the work in those places. Our people also should copy this example.
Finally I wish to say once again that of all things, the sacred places are the most important in perpetuating the memory of our faith. These are not the property of anybody. Where both the communities worship together, there they should mutually co-operate and carry on the religious work in a friendly way. If any sect gives obstruction to the religious privileges of the other sect in the sacred places, it will be doing an unrighteous thing. It is the duty of the Digambaras, to get themselves rid of the troubles caused by the Svetambaras. It will be good if a Joint Committee can be formed for this purpose. If such a committee will be appointed then there will be no necessity for anybody to go to the courts. But until such a committee comes into existence our people should help the Digambaras to defend their cause against the Svetambaras.
It is to be regretted much that our communal strife should go
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Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
