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Mahavir Jayanti
By Dr Atul K Shah
First published in April-June 1999 issue of Young Jains International Newsletter
M
ahavir Jayanti is a celebration of the birthday of Lord Mahavir. We are celebrating his birthday 2600 years after he was born, and some 2500 years after he died. In modern times, birthday parties are common for children, but generally go out of fashion in adulthood. In fact, older people are embarrassed to celebrate their birthdays because they do not really want to grow old, and are often sad on their birthdays. We very rarely celebrate birthdays after people have died. However, in the case of Lord Mahavir, we are celebrating his birthday hundreds of years later. In fact, thousands of Jains all over the world will be celebrating this great day. Why? Is it because they have nothing else to do, or is it because they wish to bring him back to life, make him alive once again?
Jains feel that Lord Mahavir was indeed a great man, very courageous and caring. When he was alive, he did some remarkable things in his life, which we wish to remember when we celebrate his birthday. His life was an example for all - he lived his message and practised what he preached.
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'One of the things he is most remembered for was his principle of universal love towards all living beings'
He was a very caring and loving person, and did not have any enemies throughout his life. Even if people hurt him or injured him, Mahavir Swami was full of love for them. As a result, nobody hated him. Everyone loved him, and wanted to be near him and to learn from him. Lord Mahavir was never greedy - he had no possessions and lived very very simply. He was like a human magnet - he was very attractive in many ways.
'Instead of singing Happy Birthday to You, we sing Happy Birthday to our pure and loving inner soul"
So when we celebrate his birthday, in truth we are reminding ourselves that we must live the great example set by Lord Mahavir. We must do something in this life that people will remember us for, long after we have died. We must give, without any expectation of receiving. We must love everyone, and be merciful, even to those who harm us. We must recognise that we are all interconnected the line that separates Me from You or anyone else is non-existent, only man made. When our friend suffers, we suffer, and when they are happy, we are happy.
Instead of singing Happy Birthday to You, we sing Happy Birthday to our pure and loving inner soul.
On this day, we wish to give these great principles of life a new energy and spirit. We pray to Lord Mahavir that we develop the
great courage that he had and a deep commitment to this beautiful life. We pray that his life will never be forgotten and generations will continue to live by his principles and practice his great message. Above all, on Mahavir Jayanti, we openly declare our love for life and our desire to make it meaningful wherever we are, whatever we do.
Jai Mahavir
Mahavir Jayanti fell on 3 April this year
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