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

Vol.3      Issue 6

October 2004

Editorial

JAINISM : AN OVER VIEW

     Jainism has attained great supremacy and recognition vowing to its ahimsa policy. It is the most stable and restraint religion with social tentacles. It has undergone multitude of changes through the centuries. There were mainly 3 sects of Jainism (Digambara, Swetamabar and Yapaniya) existing at one time i.e. till 12th century. But the Yapaniya sect found its debacle in the 12th century due to the religious high handling by Veerashaivas. Yapaniya sect was a refined and reformed form of Jainism. It gave due importance to women folk, especially regarding the attainment of Moksha in the existing berth. It compromised with other religions. It is interesting to note that Bahmashiva of Lakshmeshwara belonged to Yapaniya sect.

     The Digambara sect includes the following subsects within it: 1. Chaturta 2. Bogara 3. Panchama 4. Gowdas 5. Labourers 6. Kosara 7. Balegara 8. Inferior sect and 9. Superior sect.

     Chaturta Digambara sect is mainly distributed in North Karnataka and the border areas of Maharashtra. There exists hierarchy in this category. They mainly look after the lands as profession.

     Panchama Jains need conservative life and are mainly business people. However they also act liberally.

     The Jains are basically business people and observe their sectoral division only and mainly at the time of marriage counseling and ritualistic ceremonies. The Jain society is in a very unstable state at present. Though it revolted against Brahminism it is sad to note that it has incorporated many rituals of Brahminism. There exists a spurious belief about the economic status of Jains. There are many poverty striken and down trodden Jains leading a pathetic life. They require due attention from the elite Jains. They should also grow politically strong and also should make effect to occupy coveted post in government and non government organisations and prove their worth. They should also continue to enrich their literary heritage. The existing Jain Muths and heads should concentrate on the growth and development of Jain literature and culture, instead of just being the places of performing rituals and worshipping. Jains should rejuvenate and renovate the monuments and temples instead of constructing new structures.

     There was no untouchability in Jainism in the early phase but the influence and invasion of Brahminism in the 5th and 6th century A.D. changed the picture. They tried to segregate themselves by adopting the unpardonable cults of Hinduism. There was no room for castism in Jainism earlier. But found an unpalatable situation on the contrary. Jainism at present is in a state of plight and is in an intricate position. It is eager to find its limelight for its future. Despite these trials and tribulation Jainism can be considered as the most progressive religion and it should change its style of life progressive means for its survival as it pocesses a great degree of malleability for the welfare of mankind.                     

-Dr. H.A.Parshwanath

5OTH YEAR CONDUCTION OF SAMADHI OF ACHARYA SHANTHISAGAR

SIDDAKSHETRA GIRINAR: THE PROTEST CONTINUES

JAIN FREEDOM FIGHTERS: WHO IS WHO

TIRTHANKARA IDOL AUCTIONED AT NEW YORK

New York, September 24: A Tirthankara idol belonging to the 10th century A.D. was auctioned at Sotheby's Auction Center, New York one of the richest auction centres of the world, for a cost of USD 8,400. This Tirthankara idol is carved in relief with the Jina seated in padmasana on a throne supported by two lions, his meditative face with heavy-lidded almond-shaped eyes set beneath arched eyebrows, his finely grooved hair drawn back from his forehead, a standing male chauri bearer on his left. - News Courtesy: sothebys.com

PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV AT NIAGARA FALLS

Niagara Falls, Ontario, October 4, 2004: Canada is well known for many things and one of that is the beauty of the Niagara Falls. This can be noticed from the stamps of Niagara Falls issued by Canada and United States of America. An important, multifaith event has happened at this place for local residents. During the last quarter of the 20th century, 'brain drain' from India brought few Jains to Niagara region. They were scattered all around and observed their religious practices within their homes. With the passing of time, they established themselves and got together to celebrate holy days and festivals. Since they were very few, they could not have a temple of their own. They joined hands with local Hindus who had formed in 1985 the Niagara Hindu Samaj. Later they established in 2001, Shiv Mandir (Temple) at 5284 Second Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2H 4K2, Canada. The Jains felt the need to have their place of worship. They requested the Hindus to share their sacred temple and the request was gladly accepted. Two Pratimajis (icons) of 23rd and 24th Tirthankars - Parshwanath Bhagwan and Mahavir Swami and a tablet of Namokar Mantra (Universal Prayer) made of marble are brought from India.

A two-day event for the consecratory installation ceremony, known as "Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav" was organized. On October 2 and 3, 2004, Pujyashri Chitrabhanuji blessed the Pratishtha Mahotsav with Vidhikar and then Pravachan (discourse) by Chitrabhanuji. The ceremony started with welcome by NHS president Kamlesh Sharma and then Snatra Puja, Kumbh Sthapana, Akhand Deep, Aarti, Mangal Deep and Shanti Kalash followed by Swamivatsalya Pritibhojan (holy feast) and on next day, Snatra Puja, 36 Abhisheks (18 of each Tirthankar), Murti Pratishtha (Mhoorat at 12:39 p.m.), Aarti, Mangal Deep, and Shanti Kalash, was conducted, followed by Pravachan by Chitrabhanuji, Swamivatsalya. News Courtesy: Prakash Mody, E-Mail: mody@sympatico.ca

PRESIDENT AWARD TO DR BHAGACHANDRA JAIN

ACHARYA VIDYASAGARJI'S CALL TO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh): Acharya Sri Vidhya Sagarji Maharaj called upon the chartered accountants to take up the responsibility of removing corruption from business circles and thus build a healthy society. He felt that  this would contribute immensely in the task of building the nation. He said this while talking to representatives of the Chartered Accountants Association at Jabalpur. The group was led by Shri K. Kumar, President of the association.

AWARDS OF GRADUATES ORGANISATION

DISCOURSES BY ACHARYA VIDYASAGARJI

RARE INSCRIPTION OF ATTIMABBE FOUND

INDUSTRIALIST WINS GOLD MEDAL FOR STAMP COLLECTION

Ludhiana (Punjab), October 7: A city-based philatelist (stamp collector) who went to Ahmedabad to get more exposure in the field had never thought that he would return with national level awards in philately. But Raj Paul Oswal, a resident of Rani Jhansi Road, has won the gold medal for his stamps on Jainism, and the silver medal for his stamps on Mahatama Gandhi, at ‘Dak Bharti 2004’. The national level contest was organised at Ahmedabad from October 1-3, and 87 philatelists from all over the country participated in it. Stamps dating back to 150 years were put on display at the contest.

Appreciating Raj Paul’s success, Yashpal Bangia, president of Philatelic Congress of Punjab said, ‘‘We are trying to visit Pakistan in December, so that philatelists of both the countries can get a common platform to exchange their views on the subject.’’ Raj Paul, the vice president of the Congress, says that at a recent exhibition, he displayed 80 sheets on five frames, but in his next exhibition I aims to display 128 sheets. This busiest industrialist collects stamps on weekends, and sometimes during his tea-break or lunch-break. ‘‘If you have a hobby, you always get time for it,’’ he smiles. - News Courtesy: Expressindia.com

‘FOCUS ON SIMPLE LIVING, HIGH THINKING'

BHAGWAN ADINATHA TEMPLE AT KANGRA TRACED BACK TO MAHABHARATA PERIOD

Though the Jain culture at one time was very rich in Himachal Pradesh region, it almost disappeared and there is hardly any trace of it owing to the overhelming popularity and publicity of Buddhist religion. A few relics still remain which go to show that Jainism had a strong and powerful presence here once upon a time. One such example is an ancient temple within the premises of the ruined fort at old Kangra. It has been established with certainity that the idol of Bhagwan Shri Rishabh Dev, the first Jain Tirthankar, installed in this temple belongs to Shri Neminath Bhagwan's period, e.g. the Mahabharat time. This fort is now under the control of State Archeology Department and it is strongly believed that it was originally built by king Srushmita,a staunch devotee of Rishabh Dev Ji, who had fought against Pandavas and lost the fort. There had been continuous upheavals of power since then and the fort was damaged and re-built by several rulers, including Mohammed Gazanavi and Moghul emperor Jahangir. Though the fort was repeatedly attacked and damaged, the temple and the idol therin remained intact all through. Jain saint, Punjab Kesari Shri Vallabh Surishwar Ji, while touring through this region, some 50 years ago, had located this abandoned and unattended temple in the wholly ruined fort built on a tall hillock. Since then regular worship is carried out and the place is visited by tourists, visitors and devotees. The idol is about 100 cm. in height and is made in sandstone. The Shwetambar Jain Committee of Kangra has recently built a new temple of Adinath Bhagwan with proper facilities for stay at the foothills of the fort.

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Oct 11: For the benefit of the physically challenged persons, the Shri Nehru Bazar Jain Sangh Trust organised a free artificial limb fixing camp in the city. City Police Commissioner R Natraj who participated in the valedictory function complimented the organisers for their yeomen services for the poor. He later distributed artificial limbs to the beneficiaries.

     As many as 100 people from Dharmapuri, Salem, Tuticorin, Villupuram, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Cuddalore, Namakkal, Virudhunagar, Gudiyatham, Tirupathur, Theni, Madurai, Ranipet, Kanchipuram, Rajamundhiri (Andhra Pradesh), Palghat (Kerala) and scores of people from in and around Chennai city participated.

        Guests at the function included Amresh Pujari, chief immigration officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Seshayee and industrialist Rikub Chand Kothari. Earlier, president of the Trust Mohanlal Surana ,who welcomed the gathering detailed about the activities of the Trust while Trust Secretary Prakashmal Jabek briefed about the camp. Ramesh Chand Surana proposed a vote of thanks.  - News Courtesy: newstodaynet.com

BUDRASINGHI'S JAIN STATUE

MUKUTASAPTHAMI AT BIJAPUR

IN BELGAUM, YOU CAN 'MARRY' A POOR JAIN GIRL FOR RS. 60,000

Belgaum (Karnataka), September 20: The Jain youth living in Shedbal, Halaga, Bastawad, Parishwad, Khanapur and other villages of Belgaum district are fuming. The volcano may explode at any time. They have a reason. Several young Jain girls of their villages are being `sold' to the people of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh. These people claim to be North Indian Jains. They "marry" the girls and take them along with them. The fate of most of these girls is not known afterwards.
     According to a survey conducted by the Jain youth, about 2000 to 3000 young Jain girls are `vanishing' every year from these villages. “The people coming from North prefer those girls who have just attained puberty or who are still to mature,” said Ashok Maragale a social worker of the community. The `vanishing' of young girls from the villages started 8 to 9 years ago when the Jains from North started flocking to Belgaum and adjacent areas in South Maharashtra. They paid handsome money to tempt parents to "marry" their girls to them.
     The girls who know only Kannada, have been going to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan to start their family life. When more and more Rajasthani Jains showed interest in the Belgaum girls several agents and brokers were born. They started to woo the poor Jains to give their daughters in marriage to the rich Jains from other states. According to the survey, most marriages are `Yaadi Pe Shadi' (spot marriages). The parents don't take interest in their daughters once they leave, the Jain youth charged.
     Dharanendra C Ghanti, a Jain youth who has set up an organization along with some other youths, to counter such marriages said that the bridegrooms from other states come to villages and pay Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 and take the girls away. He said more than 5,000 to 6,000 Jain girls from three to four Belgaum villages have been "married" like this. `We do not know what happens to these girls after they leave Belgaum," he says.
     The Jain youth have now launched a formal campaign to oppose such marriages of convenience. The youths have decided to visit each village every Sunday and to organize meetings of Jain community. Already the youths have organized meetings in ten villages and this will continue till February 27 next year. Nine persons who are considered experts on Jain culture have been asked to give speeches to the village Jains, he said. The Samithi has also appealed the police to take action on such `bogus' marriages. “We do not want our girls to be cheated in the name of marriage,” said Tavanappa Chougule from Shedabal village. - News Courtesy: Newindpress.com

TRUSTS UNITE AGAINST GOVT TAKEOVER

Mumbai (Maharashtra), September 24: Jain, Parsi and Hindu religious trusts have joined hands against a controversial new proposal by the state government, which according to the trusts, would allow the state to virtually take over religious and charitable trusts. There are around three lakh such trusts in Maharashtra that range from small temple trusts to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), the second largest land owner in Mumbai after the Mumbai Port Trust. The proposal that is currently on hold because of the coming elections will give the government the powers to appoint chief executive officers to head the trusts and appoint trustees. Incidentally, Muslim trusts come under the Wakaf Board.
Not trustworthy, say trusts: Trusts say that the proposal will rob them of their independence and put their resources at the risk of being misused by government appointed officials. “If the proposals are passed, the trustees will be pushed into the background and the government will de facto run the trusts,” said Minoo Shroff, trustee of BPP. The trusts have formed an association called Charitable and Religious Trust Protection Committee to oppose the proposal. The committee met government officials last week to voice their objections to the plans.
Government’s stand: The proposals are part of the recent recommendations by the 13th Law Commission appointed by the government. The government says that the proposed changes will bring more accountability in the working of trusts. An official in the law and judiciary department said that the government has called for feedback on the proposal. “It will be placed in the house after the new government is sworn in,” an official said.

Govt appointees will  decide on funds:Surendra Savai, trustee of Ananmaharaj and Shree Godiji Maharaj Jain temple trusts said that if the proposals were passed, donations to trusts would dry up. “How can government appointees decide how the funds should be used?  Benefactors give donations for specific purposes. If they are worried that the donations will end up in wrong hands, they will stop helping the trusts,” said Savai. Shroff said that he was worried that the government could even try to pass an ordinance on the issue, to avoid taking the matter to the state Assembly. “They did this in the Shirdi temple case.” - News Courtesy: Mid-day.com

SAMAJA SETHU AWARD TO DR.H.A.PARSHWANATH

SAHU RAMESH CHANDRA JAIN PASSES AWAY

JAIN PUBLICATIONS

For copies of these books please contact:

HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY, Booksellers and Publishers, 9, Hirabaug, C.P. Tank, Mumbai 400004, India
Phone: + 91 - (0) 22 - 23826739, Email: manish.modi@mtnl.net.in, Web: www.hindibooks.8m.com

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.

Ugara (Belgaum District, Karnataka): Special pooja to Goddess Padmavathi has been organised on the occasion of Mahanavami festival on Octboer 22, 2004. Ugara is a very ancient Jain pilgrim center situated on the banks of river Krishna. The idol of Goddess Padmavathi here is said to be very miraculous. More than 5000 devotees are expected to throng this place to witness the pooja. Along with the special pooja the idol of Padmavathi would be taken in procession in a car. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service     

Friday 15th October 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Neminatha.

Thursday 21st October 2004 - Moksha Kalyana of Bhagawan Sheethalanatha.

Saturday 23rd October 2004 - Digvijaya Pooja of Bharatha Chakravarthy.

Saturday 30th October 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Naminatha.

Friday 12th November 2004 - Dhanalakshmi Pooja, Chaturmas vratha ends.

Saturday 13th November 2004 - Balipadyami, Deepavali.

Sunday 14th November 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Pushpadantha.

Thursday 18th November 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Neminatha.

Tuesday 23rd November 2004 - Gnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Aranatha.

Friday 26th November 2004 - Diksha Kalyana of Bhagawn Shambavanatha.

Saturday 27th November 2004 - Garbha Kalyana of Bhagawan Ananthanatha.

Tuesday 30th November 2004 - Kevalagnana Kalyana of Bhagawan Shambavanatha.

Additions as on 1st October 2004:

Calendar Wallpapers

Additions as on 15th October 2004:

KAMBADAHALLI DARSHAN

This screensaver gives a Darshan of the Panchakoota Basadi and idols at Kambadahalli one of the popular Jain Heritage Centres in Karnataka.