Editor-in-Chief: Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

Vol.1      Issue 11

March 2003

Editorial

SECTS IN JAINISM

          Jainism is one of the world religions. It has got the significant characteristics with Rishabanatha as founder prophet succeeded by 24 Tirthankaras till the period of lord Mahavira reformed it in the 6th century B.C. Though it was a common and a single sect at its onset it bifurcated itself into two main sects. called Digambaras and Swethambaras after the death of lord Mahavira. Digambara means the one who considers the cosmos as its limits and the ascetics of the system follow nudity. They are called as 'Vatarashana' in vedas. Swethambaras wear white clad and appear to be more liberal in practice of religion giving due importance to woman folk. Mallinatha the 19th Tirthankara is considered as female. Further more they believe that lord Mahavira was married to Yashoda and  begot Anochha (Anavadhya), further Anavadhya was married to Jamali who had a female child according to the Swethambara belief. However there is now basic difference in the practice and percepts of following the principles in these two sects. Swethambara sect has furher divided into Terapanthy, Beespanthy, Yapaniya and Sthanakawasi sub sects. There is only slight difference existing among these subsects. Ahimsa the principle of nonviolence, self restrain and anekantavada are practiced equally among them.

Sthanakawasi was founded in 1437 by Lounkashah, a resident of Ahmedabad. This sect is called Dhundia that means in search of. This sect wont condone the worship of idols. The people of this sect are very sincere and obedient to saints. Terapanthy sect was founded by Acharya Bikshu (Bheekani) about 200 years ago. Acharya Tulasi the founder of Anuvratha was the ninth in the order. The saints of this sect plead for the place to live temporarily where ever they go. There is also a sect called as Kutch Oswal amongst the Jains. The Yapaniya sect has gone to oblivion, which strived hard to bring coordination and cooperation between Digambaras and Swethambaras. It should be comprehended that lord Mahavira stood as the pivot with his message of ahimsa to propagate Jainism. These sects can be considered as the petals of a flower spreading its fragrance of ahimsa through out the world. It should be understood that there is a clear line of demarcation among these sects, with the concept of peaceful living and these divisions appear only arbitrary with the common cause in the fold.          

Thanking you,

-Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

JAIN TEMPLE DISCOVERED AT SHANIVARASANTHE

Shanivarasanthe (Coorg District, karnataka), March 1: An ancient Digambara Jain temple about 400 years old has been discovered at shanivarasanthe  in Coorg district of Karnataka. This temple situated on one of the hillocks of Shanivarasanthe is said to be 16 feet length, 10 feet breadth and 8 feet in height.  It was discovered by the local youth while they were trekking  across the hillock. The temple was fully covered by shrubs and thorns has come into light by the venture of the youths and the interest of the local people.

Inside the temple are found many ruined Digambara idols, some sculptors and three inscriptions. The inscriptions are expected to help the researchers  in the further investigation process. Further research about the temple and its origin are in full progress and the results are awaited.  - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

BHAGAWAN BAHUBALI IDOL INSTALLED AT SANAWA

Sanawa (Madhya Pradesh), February 15: The 17.5 feet high, red coloured idol of Bhagawan Bahubali was installed at Sanawa under the guidance of Acharya Sri Vardhaman Sagarji Maharaj.  Sanawa is a place situated at a distance of 70 Kms from Indore along the Indore - Khandwa national highway. The idol has been installed on the 35 feet hillock that is under development and this holy area has been named as Sri Kshetra Poudanapuram Siddachalam Kshetra. The pratishta mahotsav were witnessed by more than fifty thousand devotees who had arrived from all over India and abroad. Speaking on the occasion in his ashirvachan Acharyaji recalled the glory of the  mahamasthakabhisheka of Shravanabelagola and he called upon the Jain samaj to take immediate steps for the renovation works of the old Jain temples and restoration of the Jaina scripts. The mahamasthakabhishekha ceremony began on a grand note with the Rajatha Kalash that was been sent by Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of Shravanabelagola. A sum of Rs. One lakh eleven thousand and eleven  was donated from the Sri Kshektra Shravanabelagola towards the construction of the Sri Gommateshwara Prarthana Mandir.

The function was attended by Sri Dhavalakeerthi Bhattattarakha Swamiji of Arihantagiri (Tirumalai), Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of Kambadahalli (near Shravanabelagola), Kshullak Sri Dharmakeerthi Swamiji, chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Sri Digvijay Singh, President of Bharatha Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha Sri Nirmal Kumar Sethi, Jain scholar Sri Niraj Jain, Sri Narendra Prakash Jain, President of Karnataka Branch of the Digambara Jain Tirth Kshetra Committee Sri D.R.Shah and many other dignitaries. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service       

ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST REMOVE SIGNS FROM MC DONALD'S OUTLET IN WESTERN INDIA

Ahmadabad (Gujarat), January 19: Animal rights activists in western India Saturday removed a sign in a McDonald's restaurant that said no beef products were used in food preparation. Activists from the All-Religion Animal Lovers' Organization said although the store in Vadodra in Gujarat state did not use beef products, the sign implied that beef can be eaten. India's Hindu majority reveres cows, and eating beef is strictly prohibited. Beef is eaten by members of other religions, and served in some restaurants and hotels in big cities, angering Hindu nationalists who vehemently oppose any beef consumption. The activists demanded McDonald's not put the sign up again. "They (McDonald's) can do business here without any hassles. However, we will not tolerate anything that hurts religious sentiments. The display board has to be removed," said R.T. Shah, vice president of the animal rights group. A statement by McDonald's headquarters in India said the chain was puzzled about the opposition to the sign. Workers at the Vadodra outlet said the sign was aimed at dispelling any concerns for devout Hindus about eating there. "We do not serve beef in India and have always taken care not to hurt religious sentiments in the country," McDonald's said. - News Courtesy: Indian Express

ACHARYA VIDYASAGARJI'S HOUSE CONVERTED INTO A JAIN TEMPLE

Sadalaga (Belgaum District, Karnataka), February 8: The house in which Acharya Vidyasagarji was born has been converted into a Jain temple. The Inaugural Panchakalyana Pratishta Mahotsav of the newly installed idol of Bhagawan Sri Shanthinatha were held in the presence fifteen munis, eighty five aryikas and eight ailaks and kshulaks (108 ascetics in total). The celebrations went on for over a span of seven days and more than one lakh devotees participated in the celebrations and the entire city of Sadalaga was immersed in a festival mood all throughout the celebrations.

In the rathayatra mahotsav held on the last day four rathas, thirty horses, five elephants and many cultural teams that had arrived from all over the state participated. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

PEACE MARCH HELD ON 15th AND 16th FEBRUARY

JAIN BODY DEMANDS PART IN AYODHYA EXCAVATION

B.J.P. PROTESTS FOR TENDER AGAINST BEEF

INTER-FAITH NETWORK LAUNCHED

Kuala Lumpur, February 16: An inter-faith network aimed at creating a more harmonious and peaceful society in multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysia was launched recently. The Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN), represented by different religious leaders, will organise programmes to get Malaysians to practise unity, peace and the common values of different religions. One of its founding members, Anwar Fazal, said the network’s theme would be based on the “Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated” rule. “This golden rule is found in all the scriptures of major religions. Let’s practise it to make the world a better place. “Islam professes that you desire for your neighbour that which you desire for yourself. Hinduism speaks of not doing to others which if done to you would cause pain. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service.  

DR. NAGARAJ BAGS SIR C.V.RAMAN AWARD FOR YOUNG SCIENTISTS

JAINISM AND WORLD RELIGIONS

The program will be conducted by Mr. Pravin K Shah, Chairman, Education Committee of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). Prof. Magliola and other scholars will also join the discussions. The first day will cover the Philosophy of Jainism in detail and the second day discussions will compare similarities and differences among major religions. There are 50 seats for each day and preregistration is required. This program provides a golden opportunity because: 1. It is designed for those who communicate with people of other religions; inter-religious couples and their parents; religious teachers, persons interested in interfaith activities; and any one who desires to learn about other religions. 2. It will be held in the fall season in cheerful surroundings when the flowers are blooming and the spring semester is just over in colleges. 3. The seminars are free and include breakfast and delicious lunch on both days. The nonrefundable registration fee is only $10 per person. What a deal! Please register as early as possible to reserve your seat and pass on this message to those who may be interested. Peace. Naresh Jain Vice President International Jain Sangh (201) 933-8963 njain52253@aol.com 50 Maple Street Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA -Jain Heritage Centres News Service

INDICATION OF EXISTENCE OF JAIN TEMPLES IN ANGKOR VAT COMPLEX

Angkor Vat temple complex in Cambodia is famous for its ancient Buddhist temples. It was believed that these temples were originally Buddhist but later studies have indicated that some of the idols may be Jain Tirthankars. Possibly, the original Jain temples were converted into Buddhist temples by the erstwhile Buddhist rulers in that region. According to recently carried out studies, it is being confirmed that many of the temples in that complex were of Jain deities.

The learned anthropologist and an authority of Jain philosophy and ancient art and culture, Shri Neeraj Jain, who also happens to be national vice-president of the All India Digambar Jain (Dharm-Sanrakshini) Mahasabha, had visited the place in the last month to further verify the information. The final report in this connection is awaited. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

SRI TEJKUMAR KATARI'S 'PUTTI' WINS GOLD MEDAL

WAS FATEHPUR SIKRI BUILT BY AKBAR OVER HINDU AND JAIN TEMPLES?

New Delhi: Did Akbar build Fathepur Sikri over a temple? According to the recent excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India, the heritage city not only rests over a temple, but the state of the idols excavated also point towards mutilation and defacement. According to D.V. Sharma, Superintending archaeologist, ASI "the fracture marks on the statues proves they were defaced by chisels and hammers and there is evidence of a demolition of a temple.'' Presenting the findings of his excavations in an illustrated talk here on Tuesday, Sharma showed slides of the remains of a temple under Bir Chhabili Tila, a mound near the monument along with the existence of a water palace under the Anup Talao, within the premises of the monument. The ASI team which began its excavation since December has discovered mutilated Jaina images, including the remains of a temple with rubber masonry and mud mortar walls measuring 1.35 metres in width.

More important is the discovery of an idol of Goddess Sarasvati with an inscription on its pedestal. According to Sharma, the sculpture, in a standing tribhanga posture, was fixed on a pedestal and was found damaged at its foot, placed with its face downwards near a wall. "The circumstantial evidence, supported by the marks near the foot suggest that the believers tried to uproot and remove the sculpture in advance,'' says Sharma. The inscription dates back to 1010 A.D. and this statute "in Jaisalmeri stone is quite unlike the usual murtis of Saraswati which are generally cast in marble,'' he explains.

Beneath the Anup Talao, the team has also found a huge jar, 12 feet high and 8 feet wide. "We have named it Ganga Sagar, because it was used for storing Ganga water, during Akbar's time too,'' says Sharma. Matching the dramatic tenor of the ASI excavations was the reaction that followed the talk. Satish Grover, Professor School of Architecture and Planning wanted to know if the ASI had any policy on "ripping apart" ancient monuments which were part of the national heritage. "We all know that India is a rich and ancient country, built on layers and layers of civilisation. There could be a temple beneath the Taj Mahal too. Will the ASI dig that up too?'' he queried. Sharma however insisted, the effort was not to destroy the present heritage but only to find out the truth. "We are here to correct the interpretation of palaces and monuments, not to rip apart 
monuments,'' he elucidated. But the fact thet the matter had already become politicised was evident, when the Chairman of the Indian Archaeological Society, S P Gupta, circulated a paper on the excavations which concludes: "There is ample proof of (a) the destruction of the Jain temple, (b) the sculptures being vandalised without exception. There is no evidence of Hindu vandalism at the site. What is the other language of this destruction if not 'demolishing temples' by the muslims.'' - News Courtesy Nikhat Kazmi and Mahavir sanglikar

3RD CONGRESS OF THE EASR BY THE NORWEGIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS

MAHARASHTRA STATE MINORITIES COMMISSION CONDEMNS MR. KHAN'S ARTICLE

Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has strongly protested and objected to an article by Mr. Danish A. Khan. “Nationwide ban on cow-slaughter mooted” published in The Milli Gazette, Feb.22, 2003 which says that, "Bhagwan Mahavira ate meat" is injurious to the basic religious faith of the Jains. The Commission through a resolution passed on 25th Feb. 2003, has condemned and taken a strong exception to the tendentious, false and highly derogatory comments made by Mr. Khan. The Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has called upon the Editor of The Milli Gazette and the writer, Mr. Danish A. Khan to tender apology. -News courtesy: Bal Patil & Manish Modi.

MAHAVIR AHIMSA SEMINAR ON "NON-VIOLENCE IN PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE"

A Seminar on “Non-violence in Principle and Practice" is planned to be held on April 12, 2003 at Culpeper Video Theatre#2, Babbidge Library, UCONN, Storrs, CT, USA. 
Background of the Ahimsa Seminar Series: The symposium “Nonviolence and Nirvana (Eternal Happiness)” had celebrated the 2600th birth anniversary of Tirthankar Mahavir Bhagwan at UCONN Campus on September 29, 2001. The proceeds received from the seminar were used to setup at the University of Connecticut (Asian American Studies Institute). Dr. Michael Tobias has been invited to speak on the occassion. He is the author of more than 25 books and the writer/director/producer of more than 100 films. His books include A Day in the Life of India, A vision of Nature, Deep Ecology, Life Force, Nature's Keepers-On Front Lines of the Fight to Save Wildlife in America. On April 13th, 2003 Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti Celebration will be held at the Temple. Those desirous to join are requested to register by April 2nd, 2003 to facilitate arrangements by email asiadm01@uconnvm.uconn.edu or calling Fe Delos Santos at 860-486-5083. -News Courtesy: Dr. Sulekh Jain.

FEDERATION OF JAIN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES OF INDIA FORMED AT PUNE

Jalgaon (Maharashtra): Keeping in view the active role played by various Jain Institutions working for providing relief to the sufferers of natural calamities, such as earth-quakes, famine, floods etc., and looking at the necessity of proper coordination amongst these institutions, a Federation has been constituted at Pune by the initiative of prominent social worker, and now President of FJEI, Shri Shanti Lal Mutha. A Conference of various institutions, working for humanitarian work, was being organised by FJEI at Jalgaon on 1st and 2nd March, 2003. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service.

CHATTISGARH RECOGNISES JAINS AS MINOTRITIES

Saturday 22nd March 2003 - Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Padmaprabha.

Sunday 23rd March 2003 – Kevalagnana Kalyanak of Bhagawan Suparshwanatha.

Monday 24th March 2003 – Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Suparshwanatha, Kevalagnana Kalyanak and Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Chandraprabha.

Tuesday 25th March 2003 – Rathayatra of Goddess Padmavathi at Hombuj.

Wednesday 26th March 2003 -  Garbha Kalyanak and Diksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Pushpadantha.

Friday 28th March 2003 – Kevalagnana Kalyanak of Bhagawan Rishabanatha, Janma Kalyanak of Bhagawan Shreyamsanatha.

Saturday 29th March 2003 – Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Munisuvratha.

Monday 31st March 2003 – Janma Kalyanak and Diksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Vasupujya.

Wednesday 2nd April 2003 – Garbha Kalyank of  Bhagawan Mallinatha, Chandramana Ugadi.

Friday 4th April 2003 – Kevalagnana Kalyanak of  Bhagawan Kunthunatha.

Monday 7th April 2003 – Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Ajithanatha.

Tuesday 8th April 2003 – Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Shambavanatha.

Sunday 13th April 2003 – Janma, Kevalagnana and Moksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Sumathinatha.

Tuesday 15th April 2003 – Sri Mahaveera Jayanthi; Sadharma Simhasanarohana of Sri Charukeerthi Swamiji Shravanabelagola.

Wednesday 16th April 2003 – Kevalagnana Kalyanak of Bhagawan Padmaprabha, Annual Rathayatra at Shravanabelagola.

Thursday 17th April 2003  - Birthday of Acharya Sri Vidyanandaji, Annual Padapooja of Bhagawan Bahubali at Shravanabelagola.

Sunday 20th April 2003 – Kevalagnana Kalyanak of Bhagawan Parshwanatha.

Monday 21st April 2003 – Garbha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Chandraprabha.

Thursday 24th April 2003 – Garbha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Sheetalanatha.

Friday 25th April 2003 – Janma Kalyanak and Diksha Kalyanak of Bhagawan Rishabanatha.

Additions as on 15th March 2003

Photo Gallery:

Ascetics - Photos of Acharya Sri Shanthi Sagarji Maharaj, Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj (Shravanabelagola), Acharya Sri Deshabhushanji Maharaj, Sri Devendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj (Huncha), Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj (Kanakagiri), Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj (Moodabidri), Acharya Sri Devanandi Maharaj and many more...