Jainism without Temples and Monks possible

It is a very bad thing that Jain temples have become places for senseless rituals. People donate huge amounts to the temples instead of donating it for social and educational causes. This is happening in idol worshipper Digambar and Shwetambar Murtipujaks.

On the other hand, the donations by followers of non idol worshipping sects like Sthanakwasis, Shwetambar Terapanthis and Taranpanthis are going mostly to educational institutions and social causes. I have observed that the followers of these non idol worshipping sects are
becoming dominant in Jain community, as well as in entire Indians. They have become strong in religious activities, business, education and even in politics. They have proved that Jainism can be followed without building temples and without going to the temples every day.

In Maharashtra, there are 14 Jain MLAs/MLCs, out of which 10 belong to Sthanakwasi sect. There is one Cabinet Minister in Government of Maharashtra, who also belongs to Sthanakwasi sect. 2 of the 3 Members of Parliament belonging to Jain community from Maharashtra are
Sthanakwasis.

On the other hand, most of the Jain monks are digressed and walking on wrong paths. Many monks are making money and have account with banks. Many Jain monks like to publicize themselves and the worst thing is that many monks are involved in sexual activities. Finding a true Jain monk has become almost impossible.

The Jains belonging to Kanaji sect do not believe much in today’s Jain monks. Without having monks, they are following Jainism very well. This sect has become strongest one in Digambar fold.

So, if there are Jains without temples and Jains without monks, I think that Jainism without temples and without monks is possible. This will help us to stay away from the rituals and corrupt monks.

If Jainism is for self realization, we do not need temples and monks. Rituals can not help us in self realization and the monks walking on wrong paths can not show us the right path.

-Mahavir Sanglikar

Jain Temple Fined

MUMBAI: An internal inspection by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) has found the city’s oldest Jain temple, Kot Shantinathji Derasar, to have lost its historical importance and character because of careless repair work carried out by the caretakers.

The temple, which is being rebuilt entirely in white Makrana marble, stands in the middle of the congested Bora Bazaar area near Fort and is a listed Grade II-B heritage structure.

The MHCC has slapped a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the trust for carrying out the work that has “led to loss of temple architecture, unique to the fabulously rich history of Mumbai”.

“We had given them permission for repair and reconstruction as per the Jain religious code. But when an inspection was carried out, it was found that a gross violation of norms had taken place. Since the trust did not do its work faithfully and dutifully, the committee sought it fit to penalise them,” said committee chairman Dinesh Afzulpurkar.

In their original plan, the trust had suggested replacing the colourful facade and wooden interiors with white marble, besides constructing a shikhar or tower. Though all that was fine, the heavy penalty was levied on two counts: for failing to maintain the historic character of the ghar-derasar in the quest of redeveloping the temple even more grander than the existing structure; the caretakers, over the years, failed to maintain the front decorative wall, which now stands in a state of utter decay.

The ghar-derasar style gained prominence at a time when the country was constantly facing threats from marauding intruders of the 17th and 18th centuries. The grand ghar-derasars were camouflaged inside structures that looked like ordinary homes. “Many of these derasars were built in Kalpa Sutra-style murals and intricate wooden structures, More then the architectural damage, we have penalised them to set an example on others,” said a member.

A set of new rules recently approved by the state government say that upkeep of a structure weighs heavily on the owner and the ones who fail to conserve heritage structures would face heavy penalties. Chief trustee Premchand Jain said that all the trust wanted to do was repair the facade in a way similar to temples in Palitana and Pawapuri.

“We have no idea where we went wrong with our work. The trust is in no financial position to pay this penalty and will apply to municipal commissioner for either a pardon or a cut in the amount,” he said. The Jain religious code declares that derasars or temples when brought down be redeveloped grander than the earlier structure. “But in that process, they have destroyed what was the sole surviving example of the ghar-derasar style of architecture in Mumbai,” said a committee member.