Mahavir Janma Kalyanak in 2008 will be remembered in history as being the first event in the UK when Jains from every sect and community came together to celebrate this auspicious day on the 26th April 2008.
This event was born from the idea which Gurudev Chitrabhanuji gave to American and UK Jains, encouraged and invigorated by the Samanajis and realised with the efforts and dedication of all the religious leaders and active volunteers. Mahavir Janma Kalyanak was celebrated this year under the banner Jains UK, a showcase of unity but also of diversity with various groups co-existing to further the message of Bhagwan Mahavir whether it is through digitising manuscripts or enthusing the youngest children to grow up as Jains.
Pujya Pramodaben visiting one of the stalls.
The afternoon for this historic event was composed of a series of presentations on the theme of “Life and Teachings of Tirthankar Mahavir and its relevance to today’s western world” presented to a crowd of over 1,500 people who were able to listen intently in perfect stillness for over 3 hours. The keynote speaker, Pujya Pramodaben Chitrabhanu who had specially flown in from New York for this event, shared inspirational thoughts on the Teachings of Tirthankar Mahavir. Pujya Pramodaben reminded everyone on the importance of being kind to yourself, and that once you are kind to yourself, only then will you be kind to others. Pujya Pramodaben’s main interests are in applying the Jain teachings into day-to-day life. Building self-confidence, love for family members, love for people around us, and self-love without ego, you act with integrity, compassion, respect, kindness and appreciation toward all living beings. Her articulate and precious manner captured the entire audience on all these vital points.
Pujya Pramodaben is on the Board of Directors for PETA in India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the video that she introduced was an awakening experience into the horrors which many animals still suffer today. The life that cows have to endure to ensure that milk and other milk products can be mass-produced for human consumption brought many to tears. In today’s world, where we have become so detached from food production and where we rely on regulations to ensure that animal cruelty is monitored, we have let this abuse foster and grow, just so that we have enough milk for our cup of tea in the morning. The video encouraged the use of alternatives such as soya milk, which in fact contains more calcium than cow’s milk. As purchasers, the capability is within us to protest to this abuse through our consumer behaviour and change the way that cows are treated.
Children’s activites by Magic Touch
Samani Prasanna Pragyaji and Samani Rohit Pragyaji gave a fact filled, humorous and imaginative dialogue depicting the secret of Lord Mahavir’s rebirth (Voice of Time), where they commented on the past, present and hypothesized on the possible future of Jainism if we all do not take care now. It was summarised in a very amusing play that depicted the damage that can happen if all of us to not take care of our religion. It showed Pratikraman in the future with the main essence of this form of penance being completely lost. It is our responsibility as individuals to protect our religion and in return our religion will protect us.
Other English presentations included an instructive talk on a Jain layperson’s diet (the logic of Jain Diet) by Shruti Malde and a presentation about the preservation of Jain literature and repackaging for modern society (Digitisation of Jain Manuscripts) by Mehool Sanghrajka. There were additionally Gujarati talks by Jayeshbhai Shah, Dr Vinodbhai Kapashi and Pujya Pramodaben. The talks were so captivating that no one dared visit stalls or the exhibition for fear of missing part of a lecture.
Kishore Bhimji Shah exhibited a fantastic exhibition entitled “Insights into Jainism” in Byron Hall, where stalls by various Jain organisations were also set up. Children’s activities and an English workshop, Great Foot Steps, were conducted in Masefield suite.
“Grand Finale” of the Evening Cultural Programme
Over 80 participants (all ages from 5 upwards) attended Great Foot Steps, a workshop co-ordinated and delivered by a team of young Jains, centered on understanding the great teachings of Tirthankar Mahavir by exploring his 27 significant past lives. Participants used this in order to understand that permanent happiness is possible and that it is the true nature of the soul. The workshop revealed the path, which Tirthankar Mahavir showed in order to conquer the deluded state and free oneself from the cycle of birth and re-birth.
Jignasha Metha had great success at a workshop where 45 children attended the Magic Touch session on Trishala Mata’s 14 Dreams. The children were aged from 3 to 12 years old and all were engaged during Treasure Time where the beautiful Trishala Mata was enacted. Creativity was a joy - flags were created and waved with enthusiasm as the children chose their dream to aspire to.
The whole Jain community participated in the evening’s programme with over twenty different plays, songs and acts. Performers from all ages took part and celebrated Mahavir Janma Kalyank in their own special way. It was clearly evident that all the artists hat put their heart and soul into portraying Tirthankar Mahavir’s teachings and the essence of Jainism through their art coupled with stunning costumes, classical melodies and devotional fusion. All performances stood out but the pick of the day would have to be “Arhat Vandana” and “Grand Finale”.
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak is a time when Jains celebrate the life of Tirthankar Mahavir and remember his attributes to help us to emulate them in our lives. It is a special occasion, which was made even more special with all Jains uniting together. A massive thanks to all those volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this day such a success in the United Kingdom enabling all of the UK Jain communities to come together to remember the life and teachings of Tirthankar Mahavir.
The working team of MJK Celebrations 2008