Munisree Yasawai Sagarji Maharaj Passes Away

KOLKATA: An 88-year-old Jain monk breathed his last on Monday afternoon, after embracing the voluntary fast to death called Santhara, sanctioned by Jain scriptures. Munisree Yasawai Sagarji Maharaj of the Digambar community took neither food nor water for 51 days.

In a rare honour to Yasawai Sagarji, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation reserved the wooden pyre of Kashi Mitra burning ghat from 2am to 10am on Tuesday for his cremation. In fact, Jain leaders had applied to KMC the day the monk started his fast to reserve the pyre for a month. The KMC agreed. There is no precedence for this in the KMC's history.

On Tuesday, mayor Sovan Chatterjee personally asked chief municipal health officer J C Roy to pass an instruction to the sub-register of Kashi Mitra crematorium to arrange for everything. According to tradition, the monk was cremated in a sitting posture on the wooden pyre.

Yasawai Sagarji passed away at 3.25pm on Monday. He had decided to breathe his last through meditation and by fasting unto death two years ago, soon after becoming munishree', but his guru, Bardhaman Sagarji Maharaj, allowed it on January 17, said Dinesh Bajaj Gangwal), a senior member of the Parashnath Digambar Jain Belgachia temple trust. The trust immediately applied to KMC to reserve the pyre.

However, keeping the wooden pyre reserved led to an untoward incident about three weeks ago when a group of people from a north Kolkata locality created a furore after being refused to use it.

The KMC, which had reserved the wooden pyre at Kashi Mitra burning ghat for Munisree Yasawai Sagarji Maharaj, had to issue a fresh order after a family demanded to be allowed to use it.

The civic authorities then told the Parashnath temple trust that in honour of the fasting monk, the wooden pyre would be reserved for four hours. "We asked the temple trust to inform us about the demise of the monk immediately so that we could ask the sub-register of Kashi Mitra crematorium to keep the wooden pyre reserved as a token of respect for the Jain saint," said MMiC health Atin Ghosh.

A resident of Belgaum in Karnataka, Yasawai Sagarji Maharaj was attracted to Jainism at the age of 60 years. A father of four, he devoted himself to a saint's life 10 years ago, when he left family for good. Thereafter he attained three important feats of a Jain monk Brahmachari, Chhullak and Munisree.

His brother, Devegouda Jinjouda Patil, was present when Munisree Yasawai Sagarji Maharaj breathed his last. "He was always a devout person in search for the ultimate truth' all his life," said Patil. According to sources in the temple, the monk's son and all three daughters also camped at the Belgachia temple to witness the rare' event.

Dinesh Bajaj thanked KMC and Kolkata Police for cooperating with them for the last rites. The funeral procession of the monk was attended by 10,000 devotees and senior monks, Bajaj said.

Jain scholar Vilas Sangave, passes away

By Mohsin Mulla

A veteran scholar in Jain religion, sociologist and historian, Vilas Sangave, 92, died in the wee hours of Tuesday. He was bedridden for several days at his home in Rajrampuri area here.


He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law.

Born on June 2, 1920, in Solapur, Sangave completed his doctorate in sociology in 1950 from the University of Bombay. He served as a professor of sociology in Karnataka College and Rajaram College and was the head of the Shivaji University’s sociology department in 1980.

The veteran Jainologist had done monumental research on the religion and society, apart from research on Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. He compiled eight out of nine volumes of Shahu Gaurva Granth.

Read More about Vilas Sangave at Famous Jains
http://famousjains.blogspot.com/2011/03/dr-vilas-adinath-sangave.html

Govt grants Rs 25 lakh for Abbakka Utsava

MANGALORE: The weekend will see the first official recognition to Abbakka, who took on the might of the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century, when the two-day Veerarani Abbakka Utsava gets underway at Assaigoli near here from Saturday.

Organized by the Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Samiti, the Abbakka Utsava which was started in 1997 is now into its 8th edition. It has for the first time received grant of Rs 25 lakh from the state government.

The utsav will get underway with a cultural procession consisting of various folk performers from Deralakatte to Assaigoli, the venue. Shobha Karandlaje, minister for power will inaugurate the utsav and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel presides over the inaugural function. Minister for women and child welfare C C Patil, and folk artiste Kargi Shedthi will inaugurate the various sessions, and cultural programmes, respectively.

The post inaugural session will feature a seminar on women and cultural challenges. Indira Hegde, researcher from Bangalore will chair this session. A poets' meet featuring poets of four different languages, Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, and Beary, will be held next. Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala D Veerendra Heggade will chair the last session of the day, Savisamarambha and feature V S Acharya, and Siddaramaiah.

Kavi Kavya Darshana -- an experiment of poetry, dance and painting will be held on January 30. A V Navada, folk scholar will chair a seminar on `Tulunadu: Status of uprooted culture.' CM B S Yeddyurappa will present Veerarani Abbakka Puraskar and Prashasti on writer Janaki Brahmawar, and C Olinda Pereira at the valedictory function. M Veerappa Moily, union law minister will deliver the valedictory address.

 

New Statue of Teerthanka Mahavir at Molem wildlife sanctuary

PANAJI: An eight-feet tall statue of Bhagwan Mahavir, which will replace the one desecrated by unknown miscreants nearly three years back, will be unveiled at Molem wildlife sanctuary on Sunday at 11.30am.

The government had formed a committee to oversee preparations for the installation of a new statue and select artisans to work on it, as per the wishes of the  Jain community in Goa. The members visited Rajasthan to choose the right material and the artisans for the job, which took four months, a source said.

Chief minister Digambar Kamat will unveil the new statue costing Rs 5 lakh in the presence of forest minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues, chief wildlife warden Shashi Kumar and other dignitaries.

Two statues had been unveiled in Goa, at Molem and Campal in 2001 to mark the 2,600th birth anniversary year of Bhagwan Mahavir. Representatives of Goa Jain Mandal had insisted that a new statue should be installed instead of touching up the damaged one.

Acharya Lokesh Muni gets national integration award

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) Delhi-based writer, orator and social worker Acharya Lokesh Muni has been named for the national award for promotion of communal harmony and national integration for the year 2010.
'The National Communal Harmony Award for the year 2010 will be conferred on Muni of Delhi,' the government said Tuesday.


Muni was chosen by the jury headed by Vice President Hamid Ansari.


The award instituted in 1996 is given in recognition of the efforts of individuals and organisations for promotion of communal harmony and national integration.


The jury did not find any organisation suitable for this award for the year 2010.


The award carries a citation and Rs.2 lakh for the individual.


Muni, 49, is a writer, orator and social worker. He is the chief functionary of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, a Delhi based voluntary organisation that aims at promoting non-violence, peace, communal harmony, working against female foeticide and drug addiction.


He worked to de-escalate Hindu-Muslim strife after the Jama Masjid explosion in 2006-07 and tension between Dera Sacha Sauda and the Sikh community in 2007 and also participated in a 1,500-km walk from Haryana to Gujarat to promote communal harmony.


Muni studied Jainism, Buddhism and Vedic philosophy and has 12 books to his credit on subjects like female foeticide, terrorism, principles of peace and brotherhood.


For his academic pursuits, the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines awarded him the PhD. He has also been honoured with the Naitik Samman by the Gulzarilal Nanda Foundation and Bhaskar Puraskar by Bharat Nirman Sangathan for his contribution in restoring human values of peace and brotherhood.

Jain Girl Becomes Nun

YADGIR: A 20-year-old girl, Mumiksha Tina  Jain took sanyas here on Sunday. She was initiated by Ujwalaprabhaji, a Jain sanyasini in Yadgir.

"By sacrificing everything in our life we will lead our life towards spirituality," said Mumiksha Tina. She will participate in a Jain spiritual camp to be held in May for 15 days.

The camp will be held in Karnataka for young Jain girls. A degree holder, Tina's inclination towards spirituality led to her taking sanyas.
(TOI)

Padma Vibhushan to L.C.Jain, Padmashri to Dr. Pukhraj Bafna

Late L.C.Jain (Delhi) has been awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, while Dr. Pukhraj Bafna (Chhatis Garh) has been awarded Padma Shri.

Jain Temple in Hyederabad faces demolition threat

HYDERABAD: It is not just the historic Sultan Bazar which will become history if the proposed metro route is executed but also religious facets of this market. Between the half kilometre stretch of Andhra Bank crossroads to Kachiguda, there are nearly 10 important religious structures, more than 100 years old.

The most prominent one is the Jain Mandir, which is the oldest Jain temple in Hyderabad.

“Though officials said they will make sure the Jain mandir will be protected, we have our apprehensions,” said Surendra Luniya, president, SBTA and a key office-bearer of Jain mandir. Other religious places which could be affected are Hanuman temple, Bhagwan Das building, Hari Masjid, Ganesh temple, Muslim Darga, Arya Samaj mandir and Maata Gudi. There are also two heritage buildings- Raja Baghavandas building and Nanu Bhai building which face the treat of demolition.

Jain sadhus working for Civic Issues

PALITANA: At a time when global leaders, business honchos and the state government are set to sign various memorandums of understanding ( MoUs) at the Vibrant Gujarat summit, an interesting MoU signed between a Jain group and Palitana Nagarpalika three years ago to solve civic problems of the Jain pilgrimage town in Bhavnagar district, is bearing fruits.

On inspiration of Jain monk Vijay Abhaydev Suriswersji Maharaj, his followers took up the challenge to take up civic issues of Palitana three years ago. According to Moksharata Vijay Maharaj, who has executed the project, Subh Mangal Foundation carried out the civic work without taking money from government.
"We have spent more than Rs 45 crore to carry out the major civic work in our holy place to make it more beautiful and lovable for Jain sadhus and sadhvis, pilgrims, and citizens of the town. A place of worship should be like one where one can get eternal peace," Moksharatna Vijay Maharaj told TOI.

"The developmental works have been carried out in the town from Taleti to Chhela Chakla, from Chella Chakla to Bhairavnath Chowk, and from Chella Chakla to Pallavi gate. In all 18 km RCC roads were built, covering main roads and all the dharmshalas, storm water drainage, drainage line, underground facility for cables of telephone and electricity, footpaths on both sides of roads have been completed," said Maharaj
"A filter plant with all allied facilities has been established. The plant will provide potable water to all the citizens of the town. More than 3,000 trees have been planted along the roads. These basic civic amenities will solve the civic problems which Jain sadhus and pilgrims used to face, especially during monsoons,'' he said.

He said the  Jains usually donate for constructing Derasars and for Jivdaya but for the first time all the followers generously contributed for the betterment of the society at large.

(From TOI)

Jain monk Janakmuni Maharaj passes away

Jain saint Janakmuni Maharaj Saheb passed away in Mumbai on Thursday morning after prolonged illness. He was 78. He died at 9.09 am at Hingwala Upashray in Ghatkopar, in the presence of a large number of followers.

"Maharaj Saheb was suffering from a heart ailment for the last couple of months. He was taken to Asiad Hospital in Mumbai a month back after he suffered a massive heart attack in Rajkot," said Dinesh Doshi, secretary of Rajkot Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh.

Janakmuni was born on the 13th of August, 1933 in the Pransva village in Junagadh district. He was keenly interested in the significance of Jain Agam (scriptures). He renounced worldly life at the young age of 18. He took diksha at Veraval in Junagadh under the influence of his religious preceptor, Saursashtra Kesari Shri Pranlalji Maharaj Saheb.

After taking to monastic life, he went to Rajasthan for further study of the Agam, became a scholar of the Jain scriptures and wrote many books. His profound knowledge of the Jain scriptures is evident in his books.
The Jain monk, who had lakhs of followers both in India and abroad, was honoured with several awards including Agam Diwakar (Shining Sun of Scriptures) in 1968, Gujarat Saint Shiromani in 2002 and Bahushrut in 2005.

Bhagwan Mahaveer International Peace Award

Sarhad, Pune based renowned institution working for peace and harmony between people living in Punjab & Kashmir and rest of India, has decided to present Bhagwan Mahaveer International Peace Award from next year. This was announced by Sanjay Nahar, Founder President of Sarhad.

This award will be presented to the person who has devoted his/her life to promote non-violence on International level, especially who is working for peace and progress in South Asia. Simultaneously, 5 persons will be awarded by Bhagwan Mahaveer Life Time Achievement Award. All these awards will be presented every second year, starting from 2011.

The list of awardees for year 2009-2011 will be declared in January 2011. A selection committee headed by Dr. Abdul Kalam, ex-president of India, is being formed. There will be 11 members in the selection committee, out of which 6 members will be from all over India and 5 from the rest of the world.

A special center of Sarahad Research Center for Counter Terrorism, Conflict and Peace Management will be formed which will research, publish and implement useful teachings of Bhagwan Mahaveer for uniting and bonding people, states and countries.

Read About Sanjay Nahar and other prominent Jains at:
http://www.eminetjains.blogspot.com

-Mahavir Sanglikar

SRI DEVENDRAKEERTHI BHATTARAKHA SWAMIJI OF HUMCHA JAIN MUTT PASSES AWAY

SRI DEVENDRAKEERTHI BHATTARAKHA SWAMIJI OF HUMCHA JAIN MUTT PASSES AWAY-

His Holiness Bharata Gaurava Swasti Sri Deevendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji, the pontiff of Humcha Jain Mutt passed away this morning.

Humcha (Shimoga District, Karnataka), 14 July 2010: His Holiness Bharata Gaurava Swasti Sri Deevendrakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji, the pontiff of Humcha Jain Mutt passed away this morning. He breathed his last due to cardiac arrest at around 5.00 am here at Humcha.
Aged about 63 years, Devendrakeerthi Swamiji was consecrated to the Bhattarakha seat at Humcha at an young age of 22 years in 1969.

He had an erudite knowledge on Jain philosophy and was know for his scholarly discourses on Jainism across the world. He is one among the few Jain pontiffs who had taken keen interest for the propagation of Jainism globally.

Many Jain temples have been constructed under his guidance and leadership in India and abroad. He was also instrumental in the renovation of numerous ancient Jain temples in Karnataka which would have been impossible without His guidance. Popularly called as Devendrakirthiji, he had a huge followership in India and overseas cutting across religions.
Representative at the World Parliment of Religions - He represented Jainism and delivered discourses at World Parliament of Religions held at Chicago (1993), Cape Town (1999), Barcelona (2004), Monterrey (2007) and Melbourne (2009).

Grief in Karnataka - The news of the sad demise of Sri Devendrakirthi Swamiji spread rapidly across Karnataka and the Jain samaj is in a state of shock. Phones calls and SMS started flowing around leaving the Jain samaj in a state of grief.

Last Rites at Humcha - Leaders of the Jain samaj, devotees and many religious leaders started pouring in to Humcha to have a last glimpse of the great guru. People from across Karnataka had assembled at Humcha to attend the last rites of Devendrakirthiji. The last rites were completed by around 6.30 pm today.

His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhattakalanka Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Sonda Jain Mutt, His Holiness Swasti Sri Lashmisena Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Narasimharajapura Jain Mutt, His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kambadahalli Jain Mutt, His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kanakagiri Jain Mutt and His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Moodabidri Jain Mutt attended the last rites of Swamiji.

Condolences Pour In - Condolences have started pouring from across Karnataka and the messages express the distress spread in the Jain community. People from all over Karnataka have mourned the sad demise.

His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Shravanabelagola Jain Mutt has said that, "the sad demise of Sri Deevendrakeerthiji is a great loss to the Jain community ".
His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kanakagiri Jain Mutt has condoled the death of Sri Deevendrakeerthiji and said that, "Sri Deevendrakeerthiji was a great scholar of Jainism. It is a great loss to Jainism at large and Jain Samaj of Karnataka in particular".

Dr. H.A.Parshwanath, (Jain scholar and editor-in-chief of 'Jaina Voice' a popular Jain monthly magazine on the internet and Professor of Pathology, SDM Medical College, Dharwad) in his condolence message said that, "The death of Sri Deevendrakeerthi Swamiji has created a lacune in the religious space of Karnataka which is difficult to fill by any one else." He recollected the pleasant spent with hi in many religioud functions and discourses.

Condolence Meeting at Badrinath - A group of 75 pilgrims from Karnataka who are on a Jain pilgrimage to Badrinath and other Jain pilgrim places conducted a condolence meeting at around 7.30 am as soon as they heard the news. Sri Y.C.Bhujabalaiah an advocate from Bangalore coordinated the meeting.

About Humcha - Humcha or Hombuja or Hunchadakatte is the well known Padmavathi shrine in Karnataka. It is at a distance of 55 Kms from Shimoga the nearest district centre. It can be rated as the most popular abode of all the Padmavathi shrines in the world. - Jain Heritage Centres News Service

Inputs from: Nitin H.P. (Mysore), Sri M.R.Sunil Kumar Jain (Mysore), Dr.H.A.Parshwanath (Mysore).

Jain Monuments Found in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada, Jun 7 (PTI)

Ancient Jain monuments were found by a team of archaeologists in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district.

"The team, which visited the hills around Dannanapet and Chittivalas villages for three days from May 29-31, found 'rocky beds' in the caves at four places," G Jawaharlal, former deputy director of Archaeology Department of Andhra Pradesh, who led the team of researchers told reporters today.

Each cave consisted of five rocky beds, which belonged to Jain monks dated back to the second or third century BC, he said.

The monks used to fast until death on the rocky beds to get 'moksha' (salvation).

Jawaharlal said Bhagavan Mahaveer visited many places in Andhra Pradesh to propagate the philosophy of Jainism and he also stayed many days around these hills before visiting other parts of the state. .

Jains Campaign on Census

Jinal Shah Tags : Census, Jains Posted: Mon May 17 2010, 00:26 hrs Mumbai:

Ahead of religion entry in February, activists write articles, circulate emails, posters, cellphone messages across community

Rajesh Shah (name changed), 52, of Ghatkopar refused to sign on the census form last week. He had resolved to register himself as a “Jain” in the religion column. The data collector had a hard time explaining that religion will only be included in the second round next February.

The city’s Jains want to make sure they get counted in Census 2011; they feel previous figures have not been a true representation of their population.

The Census will involve the task of preparing, for the first time, the National Population Register (NPR) and Jains feel this is the perfect opportunity. “This is the right time to make Jains aware of their right to be counted as Jains,” said Nitin H P of Bangalore, who has started a website on Jain heritage. “The religion column will be added in the second round; we have time to educate people.”

Jains from across India have been carrying out awareness campaigns, using the Internet, SMS campaigns, pamphlets and announcements at religious discourses, with the Jain Samaj in many cities having requested priests at temples to educate people.

In the South, activists have written in periodicals like the one from the Jain math of Shravanabelagola, and on websites such as jainheritagecentres.com and jainsamaj.com. In the North, Young Jains has campaigned with posters in 50 temples urging people to register themselves as Jains, not Hindus.

“Over the years, knowingly or unknowingly, a lot of Jains have enrolled themselves as Hindus under the misconception that Hinduism and Jainism are similar,” said Yogesh Jain of Young Jains.

In Mumbai, Yuva Jains has sent more than 3,000 messages across the community. “We have a database of cellphone numbers of Jains in Mumbai,” said Rajen Parekh, 31, of Yuva Jains.

Of emails being circulated, one reads: “1st April, 2010 marks a historic day for the people of our country, India. Over next 1 year, everything - good or bad, small or big is going to be counted. Are we going to make ourselves count as Jains .Will India’s Jain Population dwindle further or are we going to make our presence felt through sheer Numbers? - Onus is on all the Jains.”

The ‘Report on Religion: Census of India 2001’ showed the Jain population at 42 lakh, a 26 per cent growth from 1981-91 to 1991-2001, but many in the community contested the number.

“According to many organisations, activists, Jain scholars and leaders, the actual population should at least be around 35 to 40 million. But this is not seen in the Census data due to many reasons like ignorance among data collectors as well as Jains,” said Nitin H P.

Mahavir Jayanti celebrated with SMS and greetings in India

Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Teerthankar of Jain religion. Usually it occurs in the months of March or April but this year it is on Sunday, 28 March, 2010. Mahavir, also known as Vardhamana, is the last prophets in the 24 Teerthankaras galaxy. He was one of the greatest Teerthankaras born to Siddhartha and Trishala Devi in the year 599 B.C on the outskirts of Vaishali near Patna.

As a young prince, Mahavir displayed many instances of fearlessness which earned him the name, Mahavir. He was an epitome of physical prowess and intellectual insight. He gave up the comforts of the palace and his kingship and undertook the life of penance for 12 years. He simplified religious procedures and condemned violence in the form of animal sacrifice, superstitions and rituals.

Mahavir Jayanti remembers Lord Mahavir’s teaching, “Do unto others as you would like to be done by. Injury or violence done by you to any life in any from, animal or human is as harmful as it would be if caused to your own self.”

Mahavir initiated a very simple path for the householders, namely, Ahimsa (non injury-physical or mental, to others), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (temperance in sexual pleasure) and Aparigraha (non-acquisition of property). He also enforced upon abstinence from any kind of physical and material comforts for monks and nuns. He laid stress on highest ethical and spiritual discipline and emphasized that the Unity of Life forms is the highest saving principles of mankind.

Mahavir Jayanti reminds people of Lord Mahavira’s message of non-injury to every living being and stressed on the ill effects of never ending human craving that ends up destroying and exploiting other living species. Such human behavior may land them in deadly perils.

Even after 2500 years of passing away of this pious soul, monks till today maintain his pure and upright tradition and spreading Mahavir’s teachings of peace, non-violence, non-injury and brotherhood among people. Thousands of Sanyasins and Sanyasinis walk on foot on Mahavir Jayanti from town to town spreading his messages.

Prime Minster Manmohan Singh and President Smt. Pratibha Patil greeted the nation on this occasion. “Lord Mahavir’s profound message remains a beacon of hope in today’s world,” he said.

Mushayara held on Mahavir Jayanti

Bhopal, Mar 28:
A general meeting and programme Mushayara were organised under the aegis of Guldasta (literary organisation) on Sunday at Guldasta Bhawan, Chhawni (Mangalwara). The programme was presided over Professor Iqbal Ahmed Arif and the programme was conducted by the former Corporator and President of the organisation Mohammad Rais Khan.

Ashok Jain Bhabha was also present as chief guest. On the occasion, Corporator Aziz Uddin, Corporator Rafique Qureshi, Corporator Shahid Ali, spokesman of District Congress Anand Taran and large number of eminent personalities were present. Journalist Arif Aziz was felicitated by presenting Gultasta Samman. Jamal Ahmed expressed gratitude to all the personalities for attending the programme.

From Central Chronicle

Punjab CM greets people on occassion of Mahavir Jayanti

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Saturday extended his warm greetings to the people of the State on the sacred occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

In a message the Chief Minister called upon the different sections of the society to follow the philosophy and teachings of Lord Mahavir, who preached the principles of simple living and high thinking to achieve the ultimate goal of salvation. Badal said that the message of Lord Mahavir for universal brotherhood, communal harmony and peace was even far more relevant in the present materialistic society.

The Chief Minister appealed the people to follow the path shown by Lord Mahavir and celebrate this auspicious occasion in unison and with religious fervour to further strengthen the secular and social fabric of our society.

President and PM greets people on the ocassion of Mahavir Jayanti

President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her message on the juncture of Mahavir Jayanti, which is being celebrated tomorrow has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I convey my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all the people. "

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, which will be will be celebrated in the country on Sunday.

In his message, the Prime Minister said that Lord Mahavir’s life and teachings encourage us to be compassionate and straightforward. They show us the path to a life of cheerfulness and gratification.

May Lord Mahavir’s noble teachings inspire us to work for peace and harmony for the welfare of humanity”. “Lord Mahavir’s thoughtful message remains an inspiration of hope in today’s world.” he added.

Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is the most significant religious holiday of Jains. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. He was born on the 13th day of the intensifying moon of Chaitra, in 599 BC.

Mahavira left the earth at the age of 71 on the day of Deepavali . But the lamp of peace which he lit continues to glow through the numerous lights of that Festival of Lights.

Conference on Jain History

Conference on Jain History

The 6th Conference of Maharashtra Jain Itihas Parishad will be held at Solapur on 5th, 6th and 7th February 2010. Many scholars will attend it and present their research papers.

Dr. Vidyadhar Joharapurkar of Nagpur is the president of the conference, Dr. Bipinchandra Doshi, Chaiman of Jain Chair of Mumbai University is the Chief Guest. Padmshri Bhanvarlalji Jain of Jalgaon will inaugurate the conference.

Some of the scholars attending this conference are Padamshri Muzaffar Husaain (Mumbai), Dr. Nalini Joshi (Professor, Jain Chair, Pune University), Dr. Vijay Dharurkar of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Dr. Padmaja Patil of Shivaji University, Kolhapur.

The Chief Guest for the concluding ceremony is Dr. Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, Police Commissioner, Solapur.

Venue:
Hirachand Nemchand Jain Dharmshala
Samrat Chowk
Solapur 413 002
Starts from 6 A.M. on Friday 5th January 2010

Contact Cell Numbers:
Mumbai:
Mr. Shrenik Annadate: 986 750 8814
Solapur:
Mr. Chandramohan Shaha 942 333 5300
Mr. Santosh Bhandari 982 326 9949

-Mahavir Sanglikar
0 962 372 5249
www.jainology.blogspot.com

Bhavnagar, Jan 3 (PTI) Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama today visited the Jain pilgrimage town of Palitana near here and delivered a religious discourse along with Jain scholars.

"The 20th century belonged to science and technology. The present 21st century would belong to spirituality and non-violence," Dalai Lama told reporters.

He said Jainism and Buddhism are in the forefront for promoting peace and non-violence around the world."

Jainism and Buddhism are like twins who have brought along with them the message of oneness and non-violence for the world," he said.

Dalai Lama also visited a camp for the physically challenged where over 25,000 disabled people are being treated free of cost.

The camp, called 'Mobility Camp' being held in Palitana began on December 23 and would continue till January 9.He later visited the Jain temples in Palitana town and interacted with Jain scholars.