Mahavir Ahimsa award to Dr. Sudarshan

Mysore, Apr. 17 (HT&DM)- Padma Shri Dr. H. Sudarshan, Hon. Secretary, Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra who has also won the Right Livelihood award was conferred the Mahavir Ahimsa award by the Mahavir Seva Samsthan during the Bhagavan Mahavir Jayanti celebrations held at M.L. Vardhamanaiah Memorial Hall on Chadragupta Road in city yesterday.

Kanakagiri Jain Mutt`s Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, who spoke after conferring the award, said Mahatma Gandhiji, who was influenced by Mahavir`s preachings, imbibed his principles and advocated non-violence throughout his life. The followers of Jainism are in the forefront of implementing Mahavir`s messages, he added.

Forest Minister C.H. Vijayashankar who also spoke, observed that Mahaveer`s messages were a model to Jain Community and called upon the people to imbibe Mahaveer`s principles for the survival of mankind.

Digambar Jain Samaj President S.N. Prakash Babu, M.A. Sudhir, Madan Kumar Babu and others were present.

Karnataka Government Decided to Keep Jains Outside Endowment Act

Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Feb 23: Swastisri Bhattaraka Charukeerti Panditacharyavarya Swamiji of the Jain Mutt here, through a press release, has stated that minister, Dr V S Acharya, has informed him that the government has taken a decision to exempt Jains from the purview of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act.

It may be recalled that the recommendation of the Justice Rama Jois panel to bring  Jain institutions, in addition to others, also within the purview of the said act, had received flak from the Swamiji.

The Swamiji claimed that a decision to the above effect was taken at the cabinet meeting. He said he welcomes the above decision, and has requested the government to ensure that the Jains get all the benefits that the minorities are eligible to, from the government.

Jains oppose inclusion into Hindu endowment act

The Jain community leaders have opposed the government move to include Jains into the Hindu religious endowment act. According to the president of the Karnataka Jaina Association of Bangalore in a press release here today, the jains were not Hindus or Hindu dissenters but they have origin and history long anterior to the smrithis and commentaries which are recognized authorities on Hindu law and usage. It is well known that Sramana and Vedic traditions differed substantially and sharply. Jain tradition is the original and older Sramana tradition. Various Judgements of High Courts and Apex Courts have clearly enunciated that Jains must be recognized as Religious Minority distinct and separate from Hindus.

The release further stated that the Article 25 of the constitution of India recognizes, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism as separate religions and even the High power committee constituted by the State has observed: “The committee was of the view that mutts, denominational institutions as well as religious institutions of Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs which are separate religion in strict sense of the term and therefore fall into different category or classes and they have the right to have their own Managing Committee, so far as it relates to administration of their properties and regulation of secular matters by legislation, they are similarly situated. Therefore the Committee was of the view that all of them should be brought within the purview of the Act by making special provisions governing them”.

“Our constitution provides equality for all religions. All religions are safe within the State of Karnataka in particular and within the Republic of India in general. Minority rights are universally accepted as an indivisible form and essential to human rights because almost every state or Nation is multi religious, multi lingual and multi cultural,” release said.

Constitution of India confers on every person the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion and for such freedom necessarily requires liberty of thought expression, belief, faith and worship the release added. The Sraminic trend covers Jains and Buddhists. Jain religion does not accept or rejects scriptural authority of Vedas, Brahmanas and Upanishads.

In a separate press release the swamiji of the Jain Math HH Charukirti Panditacharyavarya Bhattaraka has said “the statement of the minister for state religious endowments Dr.V.S.Acharya has confused the Jains. There is no need for the Jain maths to be included into the Hindu religious endowments act as we were well protected under the Minority religions act which was adequate for us to protect our shrines and religious places, he said.

(Mangalorean.com)

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.

 

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)

Karuna Jain to lead Karnataka in All-India T20

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON JAINISM ON OCT. 8

Mysore, Oct. 6 (KCU&KK)- The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, in association with Bharathavarshiya Digambar Jain Tirth-Kshetra Committee will be organising a three-day international conference Yuga Yatri — Jainism through the ages, a historical perceptive from Oct. 8 to 10 at Dasara Exhibition Grounds here.

Disclosing this at a press meet at the Directorate here yesterday, its Director Dr. R. Gopal said, the programme to be inaugurated by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa will be attended by over 500 scholars including 150 delegates from India and abroad.

He added that the event also features essay competition, interactions and release of books, not to mention a photo expo and documentary on Jainism.

Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt, Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattakara Swamiji of Shravanabelagola, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade and Committee President R.K. Jain will grace the occasion.

The following books will be released on the occasion: 'Progress of Archeology in Karnataka' by Kannada and Culture Minister Govinda M. Karjol, 'Naada Habba Mysore Dasara' by Higher Education Minister Dr. V.S. Acharya, 'Mysoru Jilleya Ithihasa Mattu Puratatva' by Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy, 'Tipu Sultan-The tiger of Mysore' by Haj, Wakf and Minority Welfare Minister Prof. Mumtaj Ali Khan, 'Belagavi Jilleya Ithihasa Mattu Puratatva' by Major and Medium Irrigation Minister Basavaraj Bommai, 'Jainism Through thge ages-abstract volume' by Forest Minister C.H. Vijayashankar and 'Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar III' by Kannada and Culture Secretary B.R. Jayaramaraje Urs.
Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdas will preside over the function and litterateur Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah will preside over the conference.

Leader of Opposition Siddharamaiah, MPs H. Viswanath, R. Dhruvanarayana and Cheluvarayaswamy, Mayor Sandesh Swamy, MLAs V. Sreenivasa Prasad, Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, H.S. Shankaralingegowda, Tanveer Sait, S.R. Mahesh, H.P. Manjunath, M. Sathyanarayana, K. Venkatesh and Chikkanna, MLCs Marithibbegowda, B. Siddaraju, Thontadarya, Sandesh Nagaraj, Chikkamadu, Prof. K.R. Mallikarjunappa and G. Madhusudan will be the chief guests. Programme Co-ordinator Vinod Bakliwala and Convenor Sudheer Kumar were present at the press meet.

News Courtasy: Satr of Mysore

Jain Scholar S. B. Vasantrajaiah is No More

Bangalore (Karnataka), Nov 17, 2009: A renowned Jain scholar Sri S.B.Vasantharajaiah passed away last night at Bangalore. He was not keeping in good health since the past few days and was hospitalised a couple of times.

Sri Vasantharajaiah, born in 1924 was a B.A. graduate who originated from Saligrama a village in the K.R.Nagar taluk of Mysore district had worked in the accounts department of the Government of Karnataka. He was a renowned Jain scholar and was known for his simplicity. Along with his literary knowledge he was also known for his organising skills and was instrumental in organising many Jain conferences and gatherings. He was instrumental in the formating of Sri Mahavira Mission in Bangalore during the late 60s and early 70s which played a pivotal role in shaping the Digambar Jain Samaj of Bangalore during the period. He was also instrumental in starting the 10 days Dashalakshana Parva discourses on a mass scale in Bangalore in 1976. This paved the way for the Digambar Jain samaj of Karnataka to follow suit and thus resulting in the celebration of Dahsalakshana parva in almost all the nooks and corners of Karnataka.

He was a recipient of the coveted 'Chavundaraya Award' given by the Kannada Sahitya Parishath the highest award given to a Jain scholar in Kannada literature for their life time contribution to Jainism. On his 80th birthday he was felicitaed with two felicitation volumes by the Jain samaj and his well wishers in a grand function held at Karnataka Jain Bhavan, Bangalore under the presence of His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhuvanakeerthi BHattarakha Swamiji of the Kanakagiri Jain Mutt.

Gurus Guru: He was a guru to Her Holiness Ganani Aryika 105 Sri Gyanmathi Mathaji as he had taught her Kannada during her visit to Karnataka.

Below is given a list of some of the works of Sri S.B.Vasantharajaiah:·
Ahimsa Jyothi Mahavira - A sketch on the life of Lord Mahavir based on the historical references of Lord Mahavira in Digambar and SWethambar Literature.·
Koppala Dinda Shravanabelagoladavarege - A book that gives out the details of around 40 to 45 Jain historical places from Koppala (a district in the Northern Karnataka that was once upon a time known a chief Jaina centre) to Shravanabelagola (a Jain town in the southern Karnataka) based on the inscriptional references.
Deergha Tapaswi Mahavira - A work that explains the 12 years long penance of Lord Mahavira with details of Lord Mahavira's vihar, Chaturmas, samavasarana and other important incidents.·
Chandanabala - a drama that explains the story of Chandanabala.·
Karnatakada Digambara Jina Mandiragalu - A book that gives out the details of about 700 Jain temples of Karnataka.·
Ashtapahuda - a translation of the Prakrit work of Acharya Sri Kundakunda in Kannada.· Dwadashanuprekshe - A translation into Kannada.·
NishkamaYogi - A novel describing the life of a middle class Digambar Jain families in the 20th century.· Saligrama Darshana - A book detailing out the details of the Jain temples in Saligrama and about the Jain samaj and other details.