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

Vol.3      Issue 4

August 2004

Editorial

DASHALAKSHANAPARVA

     Jainism has immensely contributed for the idealistic and pluralistic patron of leading life. Non violence remains its locus in all its tenements as the main principle. Its principles remain incessantly and eternally in their modus operandi of religions of the world it strives to make ones life sublime and celestial in vision for all the time to come it impounds that ones birth should be meaningful and useful. The gems of Jainism, Samyakdarshan, Samyakgnana and Samyakcharitra, Anekantavada defining the various facets of matter and Syadvada the means to logically comprehend the qualities and anagara signifying the greatness of ascetism constitute the very core of Jainism in the form of glittering gems paving the way for attaining salvation.

     Dashlakshanaparva occupies a unique place in the complexity and vivacity of many religious celebrations and observations in Jainism. Furthermore the doctrines of Jainism are not merely confined to Jains and instead may be followed and enticed by non Jains also. It embodies in itself all religious principles followed by various ethnic groups hence Dashlakshanaparva is regarded as king of parvas. It is devoid of the materialistic look at life enthralled with fine arts and ostentatious celebrations. It is observed with high reverence without giving importance to the superfluous pomp and glory. It lays down the path of comprehensive thinking and fastening the thoughts to high heights. It stresses on the social welfare and morality of an individual and thus attaining the state of the spirituality it stands as measure of relief for the day to day intricacies and reliefs.

     Dashalakshanaparva is conducted as an annual feature in August – September i.e. from Chaitra and Magha Masa Shukla Paksha, panchami to Shuddha Chaturdashi. It is observed during badhrapada month as the period is blessed with sumptuous rain and crops. The land is found well flourished and beaming with bounty. Besides, the month has gained greater importance as Sri Rishabanatha the first prophet undertook preaching his principles and doctrines at the closure of Utsarpini and the third phase of Avasrpini. The ascetics will hold discussions and discourses among the Shravakas. Syadvada is observed to the core by extended study of the religious methods. The other religious cults observed during this auspicious period included Suganda Dashami, Karmanirjara, Pushpanjali Vrata, Chandana Shashti, Ananthana Vrata, Labdi Vidhana and Nirdosha Sapthami. Dashalakshanaparva has paved the divine way soliciting the sanctified life as preached by Tirthankaras in the religious doctrine of India. Utttama Kshama (Clemency), Uttama Mardhava (Humility), Uttama Arjava (Devoid of Deceit), Uttama Shoucha (Purity), Uttama Satya (Truth), Uttama Samyama (Self Restraint), Uttama Tapa (Penence), Uttama Tyaga (Sacrifice), Uttama Akinchanya (Selflessness) and Uttama Brahmacharya (Celibacy).       Uttama Kshama: One should lead a life which is devoid of hatredness and possessiveness, as these elements precipitate in animosity among the individual. Exercising patience in need takes one a long way to lead happy and contentful life.      

     Uttama Mardhava: Humility and courtesy are the progressive stones of success. Egoism is a sign of weakness of an individual. Expressing of love and affection towards an individual should be observed. This quality makes an individual sober and calm in his behaviour.

     Uttama Arjava: There should exist a coherence between word and deed. Honesty is the sheet anchor for leading an ideal life. One should be cautious and conscious regarding the heinous elements.

     Uttama Shoucha: It denotes purity in mind and thought and thus paving the way for healthy thinking and performance. It emphasises on the need of being chaste in day to day life.

     UIttama Satya: Truthfulness is the scaffold of leading a serene life of an individual. One should be in a position to measure and distinguish between good and bad and thus gaining name and fame in deed.

     Uttama Samyama: One should have restrain over his mind. This makes an individual to avoid the ill effects and tragical consequences. One should forbid violence in any of its form.

     Uttama Tapa: Meditation is a means to gain tranquility of mind. There is a vent for repentance for ones misdeeds.

     Uttama Tyaga: Sacrifice for self and not self should be distinguished. Bhagawan Bahubali, Danushura Karna, emperor Shibi and Dadichi stand as testimony to sacrifice.

     Uttam Akinchanya: Relinquishing an article or a position to its bare extent is plausible. One should be in a position to distinguish truth and non truth. Self pocessiveness should be forbidden.

     UIttama Brahmacharya: Celibacy is a sign signifying the perfectness of an individual and an individual should be devoid of worldly pleasures as evident in the life of Mahatma Gandhi and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

It is instructed that each hymn cited below should be uttered 108 times in the form of chanting everyday as part of the ritual of the day:

Om Hrim Uttama Kshama Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Mardhava Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama  Arjava Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Shoucha Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Satya Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Samyama Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Tapo Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Tyaga Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Akinchanya Dharmangaya Namaha||

Om Hrim Uttama Brahmacharya Dharmangaya Namaha||

-Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

THE SUPREME COURTS DIRECTS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ON JAINS MINORITY STATUS

New Delhi, July 29: In one of the noteworthy developments in connection with the minority status of the Jains, the Supreme Court has directed the Government of India to come out with a final decision. the National Commission for Minorities in one of its recommendations dated 3-10-1994 had recommended to the Government of India to include "Jain Community" in the notification dated 23.10.1993 so as to grant the minority status. But the Government did not take any action on the recommendations made by the Commission. As a result of this a Writ Petition was filed at the Bombay High Court to direct the Government to take an action in this connection. The Bombay High Court had disposed this petition by directing the Central Government to take the decision in the matter expeditiously and as early as possible. In spite of the directions given by the High Court, no decision was taken by the Central Government about the minority status.

     Aggrieved by such inaction on the part of the Government again a Writ Petition was filed in the High Court of Judicature at Bombay. The Union of India in its counter-affidavit had taken a stand that the point raised in the writ petition was pending for consideration in the Supreme Court in T.M.A.Pai Foundation & Ors. V State of Karnataka & Ors case. But in the T.M.A. Pai Foundation case it was directed to the Government of India to come out with a correct decision on the matter. In spite of all these developments the Government of India failed to take a firm decision on this issue.

     Taking note of the inaction by the Government over this long span of 10 years the Supreme Court in its directions dated 29th July 2004 has directed the Government of India to come out with a final decision on the matter with in a period of four months from the date of its directions  so that it could come out with its final order so as to issue its notification by December second week. It has clearly mentioned that no further time shall be granted to the government in this matter. On the part of the government failing to come out with a final decision on the matter Mr. Bal Patil (Member of the Maharashtra States Minority Commission and Chairman of the Jain Minority Status Committee, Dakshina Bharat Jain Sabha) will be allowed to contest the case. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

LETTERS AND MEMORANDUMS SUBMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE JAINS MINORITY STATUS CASE

     In connection with the Jains minority status case Mr. Bal Patil has written letters to the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh, The Law & Justice Minister, Sri H.R. Bharadwaj, and Social Justice Minister, Smt.Meira Kumar requesting for an expeditious decision as directed by the Supreme Court.

Acharya Sri Vidyanandaji's Reaction: Mr. Bal Patil has given a memorandum on this matter to the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Arjun Singhji at a function held in Kund Kund Bharati in the holy presence of Acharyashri Vidyanandji. Sri Bal Patil had met Acharyashri  after the SC Order and sought his blessings in this matter. "He has assured that the order will be blessed with a successful conclusion". Mr.Patil has also presented an Aide-Memoire to the Congress President and Chairperson of the National Advisory Council on the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance Government. 

To have a look at these memorandums please click here

For further details on the case please contact Mr. Bal Patil at the email: president@globaljains.com. The readers of Jaina Voice can send their comments and opinions on the JAINS MINORITY CASE to email info@jainheritagecentres.com.  These comments and opinions would be published in the coming issues of Jaina Voice.

Please click here TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE EXTRACT OF THE COURTS DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA IN CONNECTION WITH THE MINORITY STATUS OF THE JAIN COMMUNITY

IS JAIN COMMUNITY LOOSING SIDDAKSHETRA GIRINAR?

Girinar (Gujarat): It is astonishing to note that Siddakshetra Girinar the adobe of Bhagawan Neminatha, the 22nd Tirthankara is under the clutches of the non Jains. Girinar is regarded as a place where lord Neminatha undertook diksha and attained Kevala Gnana and Moksha Kalyana. The chieftains of Hinduism have masked the important ancient & archeological traces of Jainism by establishing their claim over the place. The 5th Koota belonging to Neminatha has been converted into Hindu by installing the idols of Hindu Gods. This has caused a shocking resorbance in the Jain community. It is interesting to note that the attempts of many Jaina organisations protesting this heinous act have become futile. The Jains organisations like Bharathavarshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha, Bharatavarshiya Digambar Jain Tirthakshetra Committee, Digambar Jain Maha Samithi, Bantilal Digambar Jain Trust and the organisations of Junagadh have fought against this tresspasing attitude of Hindus. But these attempts have yielded no positive results. It is worth recollecting to note that Neminatha Koota was under the state archeology department and was also declared as the protected monument when Junagadh was a state and also by the government of Gujarat  in the post independent period. Till now the Bandilal Digambar Jain Karkhana Trust of Junagadh was supervising the place. However the people who invaded this monument a few years and ago have declared it as Datta Koota and started humiliating the pilgrims unnecessarily. Added to this they started constructing a new structure in 2004 and which was planned since 1996. The Jain community rose to the occassion and recorded its objection by seeking Justice by the High Court of Gujarat. But some prominent Hindus quelled the stay order issued by the High Court and constructed the new structure and installed the new idol of Dattatreya at the place. Added to the fire the foot prints of the great Jain saint Pradyumnakumara and his idol present in the fourth koota was tainted with colour. It is disheartening and painful to know that attempts were made to replace the 4th and 5th kootas by Hindu specimens. Further Bharatavarshiya Digambara Jaina Tirtha Kshetra Committee has approached the court of law again.

     The Jaina organisations have strongly appealed to the Jain community to raise against this act by approaching the Government of Gujarat and also prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) in order to put an end to this irrelevant act. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service          

JAIN BLESSINGS RAIN IN SPAIN

JAINA DELEGATION ATTENDS BARCELONA PARLIAMENT OF WORLD'S RELIGIONS

Barcelona (Spain), July 7-13:The Jain community made a serious and significant impression among 8,000 religious leaders, activists and lay people in the Barcelona Parliament of World’s Religions about the existence of Jainism as a separate religion as well as its dominant teachings of nonviolence in these modern times of increasingly religiously motivated violent world. JAINA delegation was a part of the opening plenary session on July 7th evening addressed by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi of Iran and attended by 3000 delegates and dignitaries from 75 countries. Jain prayers and blessings recited in Prakrit by Jain monks and nuns His Holiness Amrender Muniji, Swasti Sri Swami Devendrakeerti Bhattarakhji of the Hombuja Jain Muth, Samani Pratibha Pragyaji and Punya Pragyaji echoed in the Forum auditorium that were followed by a comprehensive translation in English narrated by Naresh Jain of JAINA Interfaith Committee and also simultaneous translation into Spanish and Catalan by the Forum staff. The divine rain of recital supported by the distribution of a comprehensive flyer in this inaugural ceremony about the Jain Blessings and upcoming Presentations during that week of parliament sessions opened the doors for Jain presence at this international stage. It brought numerous activists, educators and enthusiasts from press, television, academia and interfaith groups in contact with monks, nuns and presenters; as well as visits to the JAINA booth.    

 The council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions is an international gathering where people of spirit,faith and goodwill gather for interreligious encounter, dialogue and creative engagement with the critical issues facing our world. The inaugural event held in 1893 in Chicago is widely regarded as the beginning of the interreligious movement worldwide and is also well known for the speeches of Swami Vivekananda and Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi. It took 100 years to hold the second Parliament again in Chicago in 1993, followed by Cape Town in South Africa, in 1999.

     The three tenets of Jainism: Ahimsa, Anekaantvaad, Aparigraha directly relate to the theme of the fourth Parliament held in Barcelona. Spain from July 7 through July 13, 2004: Pathways to Peace: the Wisdom of Listening, the Power of Commitment. The JAINA program coordinators Naresh Jain and Hema Pokharna, planned the Jain presence and presentations. Naresh co-chairs the JAINA Interfaith Committee and served as an advisor to the Parliament’s Program Task Force. Dr. Hema Pokharna is a member of the Parliament’s Executive Committee as well as its Plenary Task Force.

     Assembly of Religious leaders was a three day pre-parliament event during July 4-7 in Montserrat, 56 kilometers northwest of Barcelona. Swami Devendrakeertyji, Naresh Jain .Hema and Manda Pokharna joined this assembly of 400 spiritual and religious representatives and participated in working groups over a three day period to address religiously motivated violence, right to water for all, elimination of external debt for poor countries, and collective response to help the ever increasing number of refugees. In this holy surrounding, discussing the teachings of nonviolence in Jainism with Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Laureate, and listening to her experience of working for peace and human rights as a woman in the Islamic world was a unique opportunity and enriching experience. Sisters Hema and Manda of Chicago recited Namokar Mantra in the opening session of the assembly and were very active in helping as well as connecting with scholars, and religious leaders from all faiths.

     Nirav Shah from USA and Karishma Shah from UK were accepted as Jain delegates in the Parliament’s Youth Leadership program which enabled them to experience a broad variety of traditions in an environment geared toward young people. Both of them were able to experience home stay in the local community and were rated as one of the most promising youngsters among their colleagues. Nirav with his violin was also included in the youth group performance of the closing plenary session of the Parliament.

     The JAINA group was invited to participate in the Speaker’s Corner program arranged by the UNESCO Forum on Thursday July 8th. A one hour program of recitals, yoga and meditation by HH Amrender Muniji, Samani Pratibha Pragya and Punya Pragyaji, and Jyotindra Doshi moderated by Naresh Jain was presented at this open event which would become a part of their program archives.

     The Plenary session for the community’s night was scheduled for Friday, July 9. Several members of other communities participated in the Jain Group evening that included Dr. Christopher Chappel, a professor and writer from Los Angeles.

     HH Amrender Muniji, Swami Devendrakeertyji, JAINA President Anop Vora, Hema and Manda Pokharna and Naresh Jain were invited to a special hospitality reception for honored speakers and religious and spiritual leaders on Saturday July 10 prior to the Sacred Music Concert at Sagrada Familia.

     A panel presentation on ‘Unity of Minds: a Congregation of Spiritual Leaders with the President of India was scheduled for Sunday morning of July 11. This program was based on the celebration of Dr. Abdul Kalam’s 73rd birth day in an event organized by Acharya Mahgapragyaji in the company of 15 religious leaders at Surat last year.. Two of these leaders Dr. Homi Dhalla and Dr. Jaswant Singh Neki joined this JAINA panel. A video-message from Acharya Mahapragyaji as well as a recording of Dr. Kalam at Surat was played for the benefit of the participants.

     JAINA Executive Committee decided to reach out to all Jains throughout the world to join this parliament event and participate actively with one unified Jain voice to raise the profile of Jainism, This JAINA approach was very well received by the laymen, monks and nuns, and the Jain organizations alike. Its coordinated Jain group comprised of 30 delegates: 13 from USA, 5 from UK, and 12 from India. Sixteen of these delegates were speakers or presenters: The numerous items displayed and distributed by this group to the worldwide attendees were printed in USA, UK, India and Spain. A unique and successful exercise in inclusiveness by JAINA. The efforts of JAINA were also appreciated by the Parliament management in their program approval letter, “You have done a great deal of outreach around the world, and have assembled a wonderful team of presenters. Thanks to your hard work and commitment, the wisdom and voice of Jainism will be well represented at the 2004 Parliament event”. On the front page of the official multicolor flyer which described a typical day at the parliament, ‘Jain teachings of Nonviolence’ was included as the first example. In the parliament program book of 260 pages, 53 pages contain references and descriptions about Jain programs and presenters.

     JAINA supported the conference by contributing the registration fee of some of the participants including the Monks and Samnijies, and a $5,000 donation to the Parliament. The JAINA booth in the exhibition included 15 coordinated poster panels about Jainism, four plates of Jain postal stamps and first day covers, over 50 reference books and attractive decorations. 2000 copies of the book ‘Essence of World Religions’, 1000 copies of the ‘Jainism’ booklet, and flyers on Jainism and the JAINA organization were distributed free of cost. The World Religions book was heavily sought for by all including non-English speaking scholars and priests. Compliments go to Pravin Shah of JAINA Education Committee. This noble step of free distribution of desirable literature helped make Jains visible as an open minded community. One hundred souvenir shirts with Jain symbol on the front side and the Barcelona landmark Sagrada Familia at the back were placed for sale in the booth and they were all sold out before the end of the very first day. -News Courtesy: Jaina Spectrum (Jaina.org)

SPLENDID 'SHANTHIYAGNA MAHOTSAV' AT ARA

'KUNDALPUR FELICITATION VOLUME' ON BHAGAWAN MAHAVIR

Kundalapur (Bihar), August 15: With an intension of clearing the confusion created in the minds of the people about the life and works of Bhagawan Mahavira it has been decided to bring out a 'Kundalapur Felicitation Volume'. It is felt that most of the works on Bhagawan Mahavira with a few exceptions have furnished many ambiguous information and it has led to a lots of confusion among the common people and the scholars alike. This has prompted the Kundalpur  Digambar Jain Samiti (Bihar) to bring out this volume. This project has been undertaken under the guidance of Aryika Shiromani 105 Sri Gnanamathi Mathaji.

     This volume would enclose the information on the life of Bhagawan Mahavir, his family, the pilgrim places (tirths) associated with him, the Jaina ascetism after Mahavir and the information of Jain agamas. This book to be published in six volumes will enclose the works of many noted Jain scholars. Research articles related to the Jain Agamas, Poems, essays (in Hindi) and line drawings are invited and could be sent to the following address: Dr. Anupam Jain, 'Gnanachaya', D.-14, Sudhamanagar, Indore - 452 009, Madhya Pradesh, Phone: 0731-2787790, Email: anupamjain3@rediffmail.com. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service         

2ND WORLD JAIN DOCTORS CONFERENCE IN JANUARY 2005

ACHARYA SRI NISCHAYASAGAR MAHARAJ CONCLUDES 44 DAYS FAST

1008 DIGAMBAR ASCETICS CHATURMAS IN 2004

INTERNATIONAL PREKSHA MEDITATION CAMP AT JAIN VISHVA BHARTI, LADNU

     An eight days residential Preksha Meditation camp is being organized from 15th January 2005 to 23rd January 2005 at the land of peace, penance & peacock the Jain Vishva Bharti, Ladnun. Jain Vishva Bharti is the very place where Acharya Mahapragya meditated for many years to rediscover Preksha Meditation. The campus is designed in a fashion and style that is most suited to hold such spiritual self-realizing events. This is a wonderful and once in a lifetime, not to be missed opportunity. There is a screening process for selection of the participants. The camp is open for both national as well as international participants.

The greatest attraction of this camp is that His Holiness Acharya Shri Mahapragya himself will enlighten the souls of participants through his most vibrant and awakening suggestions during the meditation sessions. Yuvacharya Shri Mahashraman will take the meditation sessions. Special Attractions of the Camp is the use of multimedia and latest audio video techniques, personal counseling in few selected cases, camp of international standards with participation of foreign delegates and elite class participants.

The registration fee is 200$ (U.S. Dollar) including lodging-boarding facility & materials. Additional information/details/materials will be sent/given at the time of final registration.  For more details please visit www.preksha.com. Interested candidates can send their queries to Siddharth Bothra, member of the International preksha meditation camp organizing committee at email prekshacamp@yahoo.com. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service  

DHAVALA WORKS IN ENGLISH

PRIESTS: THE SAVIORS OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE

PRATISHTA MAHOTSAV AT ORLANDO

LIBRARY AT KUNDA KUNDA BHARATHI

TELE SERIAL 'BANGARADA BADUKU' TO BE TELECASTED

CHATURMAS: A MEANS FOR EXTINCTION OF KARMA

ARYIKA SUBHUSHANAMATHI MATHAJI'S CALL ON CHATURMAS

ANANTHAPRABHA MUNIJI ENDS 30 DAY FAST

JAIN TEMPLE IS SAFE FOR NOW

Mumbai, July 29: The Jain temple at Jagdusha Nagar in Ghatkopar (E) has escaped demolition, at least for the next four months.

If the BMC decides to raze the structure, it will have to give the trust an additional four weeks before carrying out the demolition. - News Courtesy: Expressindia.com

87TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OF RATTAN MUNIJI

Ludhiana (Punjab), July 25: Prayer Meeting: A prayer meeting in connection with the 87th birthday of Shri Rattan Muni ji Maharaj under the supervision of Shri Amar Muni ji was held at the Jain Sthanak in the Rupa Mistry street on Sunday. In his sermon, Amar Muni ji said that those leading a life of love always get love while those nurturing ill-will toward others invariably get enmity in return. He exhorted the gathering to do good deeds. A langar was also organised. - News Courtesy: The Tribune

P. SHANTHILAL AWARD

KADHRI SHAMMANNA AWARD TO SRI DANDAVATHI

PRAKRIT CENTRE INAUGURATED AT CHADACHANA

POPULARISING AHIMSA AND VEGETARIANISM

JAIN PUBLICATIONS

The main intention of this column is to provide a platform to the news of even the small villages spread all over India. We here by request our readers to kindly send the news of the pooja mahotsav's in the Jain temples taking place at the nooks and corners of the world.

Chickkabasoor (Haveri District, Karnataka): On the "Amavasya's" occurring on Saturdays its been a tradition to organise special pooja to Bhagawan Munisuvratanatha at Chickkabasoor. July 17th was one such occasion to the people here to organise one such special pooja. On this auspicious occasion spcial aradhana, 108 Kalashabhikhekha. Palaki Utsav, and religious discourses were organised here at the Sri Munisuvrata Swami Jain temple. 

Chakkuru (Mysore District, Karnataka): On the occasion of the Ashtahnika Parva special pooja were held at the Bhagawan SriChandrprabha Swamy Jain Temple on June 29th. Jain scholar Sri Chakkuru Subbanna gave a religious discourse on the occasion. 

Morageri (Bellary District, Karnataka): On September 12 the last sunday of the Sharavana the annual car (Palaki) festival of Sri Brahma Yaksha has been organised. On the occasion the Kalash abhishekh and panchamruth pooja.   

http://www.kanjiswami.com : Information about Kanji Swami and Jain Literature.

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~pluralsm/affiliates/jainism/: Jainism Literature Center at Harvard.

Wednesday 18th August 2004 - Garbhakalyana of Bhagawan Sumathinatha.

Thursday 19th August 2004 - Birth day of Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Maharaj of Kambadahalli (Mandya district, Karnataka).

Saturday 21st August 2004 - Janma Kalyana and Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Neminatha.

Sunday 22nd August 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Parshwanatha.

Thursday 9th September 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Kunthunatha.

Sunday 19th September 2004 - Digambar Dashalakshana Parva begins.

Monday 20th September 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Suparshwanatha.

Wednesday 22nd September 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Pushpdantha.

Saturday 25th September 2004 - Ratnatraya Vrata begins.

Monday 27th September 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Vasupujya, Anantha Chaturdashi Vratha begins.

Additions as on 1st August 2004:

Calendar Wallpapers

Additions as on 15th August 2004:

Presentation of the Supreme Courts Directions to the Government of India on the Jains Minority Status. Also contains the representations presented in this connection.