May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity,
As the holy occasion of Diwali is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love,
Here's hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead
*********************************************************
DIWALI FESTIVAL FROM JAIN PERSPECTIVE
Diwali, the festival of lights, has a pride of place in the history of Jainism. It was on Aso Vad Amas (the dark later half of the month Aso, the last in the Hindu calendar) at midnight that Bhagwan Mahavir left his mortal body in Pavapuri Village in Bihar. On that auspicious day, he was a liberated soul.
Bhagwan Mahavir finished 42nd monsoon in Pavapuri and took shelter in the office of king Hastipal's talati (village accountant). Three months passed and fourth was about to be over. Bhagwan foresaw his end approaching and informed everyone about it. As soon as the news spread, Pavapuri was plunged into gloom. Nature also felt the impending doom, as it were, and looked crestfallen at the thought of Mahavir's impending departure. The cognoscenti said, "Be happy! God's a liberated soul now! The shackles will break and He will attain complete freedom". The common people began to grieve:" Alas! The lord will be no more and we will not be able to behold him anymore. When would we hear the divine speech again? We are trying to dispel the encircling clouds of gloom but in vain. Is it true that God will disappear from our midst forever?"
|
The devotees were all grieving. "It is only yesterday that he came in our midst and today he will be on his eternal voyage", they said. They were not in a position to rejoice. How can they when Bhagwan was to leave this world? They argued, "For him death is not a matter to be grieved over but how can we be happy at the thought of his death? A night is a night, howsoever bright the moon may be". Bhagwan began his last discourse. It was a marathon one and the world was bathed in the words of wisdom emanating from his lips. Indra, the chief of Gods, who had prepared for God's death, lost his equanimity and was sad too. The very thought of Mahavir's death pained him to no ends. Indra, on behalf of the anxious people, asked, "Lord your conception, birth, renunciation and attainment of absolute knowledge were all in the hastottara nakshatra?" Bhagwan nodded his head in agreement. "Your departure coincides with the entry of Bhasmagraha in the nakshatra. Does it indicate the impending misfortune?", asked Indra. "Yes", said Mahavir. "You are omnipotent and omniscient; can't you delay the moment of your departure?" asked Indra anxiously. He thought that if that moment passed then God would have a new lease of life.
Bhagwan, thereupon, said in a grave tone: "Indraraj, lust blinds one. You love my body and hence your request. You are knowledgeable and yet you forget that no one - God, demon or a human being - can extend the lifeline by even a fraction. The mission for which I was born as a human being is accomplished and a moment more here is a great burden to me. See Indra, there is spring blooming and there is a new dawn of sat, chit, anand. Welcome it." The inmates of Bhagwan were trying to console the congregation of people saying, "Bhagwan will not attain nirvan (liberation) now. We know it for sure." "How?" asked the people. They said, "We remember Bhagwan once said to his favorite disciple, Maharshi Gautam, that he would not think of leaving the world without him. Maharshi Gautam has been sent out by Bhagwan for a religious discourse and he will not leave the world in his absence. Have patience." People, on hearing these words, kept quiet but Bhagwan was preparing for the ultimate journey. He transcended Badar Manyog and Vachan-yog and rested in kayayoga the last vestige of life on the planet. The congregation looked, with rapt attention, at his face, which shone, very rightly. Everyone appeared tense, anxious. At last God transcended kayayoga, and a luminous circle of light appeared. The dark night of amavasya brightened and whispers were heard: Bhagwan has attained nirvana. The lamp, which had shed its luminous light and enlightened many a soul, had burnt out. Indra, who had regained his composure said, "Light the lamps. God has attained nirvan".
The dark night was aglow with myriad lamps but people were eager to know why Bhagwan chose to depart in the absence of Guru Gautam, breaking his own promise. They felt they would not be able to live and decided to undertake fasting. On the other hand the festival of Bhagwan's nirvan was on and the skies reverberated to the sounds of mridang and conch. Mahavir had discoursed the day before his nirvan and kali chaudas, the day before Diwali, and the discourse in found in the aagam sutra Uttaradhyayan. That is why Shri Uttaradhyayan sutra is recited on the last two days (kali chaudas, and amaas) of the month of Aso, the last month in the Hindu Calendar. On the night of amaas - Diwali day - devotees worship Bhagwan Mahavir and at midnight special prayers are offered. On the first day of the month of Kartak, the first month in Hindu Calendar, Bhagwan's first disciple Gautamswami attained absolute knowledge. People, therefore, worship him on that day. Thus kali chaudas, Diwali and the New Year day witnessed events of great significance, and some fast of these days and undertake elaborate worship. Source: Kirit C. Daftary.
ACTIVITIES IN SAINT COMMUNITY
HARYANA TO CELEBRATE ACHARYA TULSI JAYANTI
Oct 3, 2013, Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced to celebrate Acharya Tulsi Jayanti on November 10 with a view to commemorate the memory of noted Jain Acharya Tulsi. The announcement was made by Hooda when Muni Shri Vinay Kumar called on him at his residence here recently and apprised Hooda that the birth centenary of the Acharya would commence in November, 2013. Hooda said that Principal Secretary K. K. Khandelwal will be the coordinator for the function.
|
Born in 1914 in Ladnu, Rajasthan, Acharya Tulsi got initiated as a monk at the age of 11 years and renounced his physical comforts and dedicated his life to the noble cause of the well being of the people. After assuming the responsibility as the head of the Jain Terapanth order, Acharya Tulsi wandered from one place to another for eleven years for education and training of monks and nuns. He gave a new interpretation of religion, tried to fill the gap between science and spirituality by putting forward constructive programme of human regeneration in the form of the Anuvrat Movement and Preksha Meditation.
Acharya Tulsi realized that the independence of India would be futile unless the national character was developed. Anuvrat Movement is an experiment in this direction which he launched on March 2, 1949. The five principles truth, nonviolence, non-possession, asteya and celibacy are the foundation of this movement. Acharya Tulsi and Jain Terapanth monks and nuns undertook long barefoot marches from one village to another taking the message of Anuvrat. The Movement inspired followers to practice purity and self-discipline in their personal lives. A series of campaigns launched from time to time under its aegis against the evils of adulteration, corruption, unsociability, dowry, etc. generated a new wave of consciousness in the Indian masses. First President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad made great contribution to the noble cause of the Movement. Many prominent leaders like former Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai and Gulzarilal Nanda supported this movement. Anuvrat Movement added a new chapter to itself in the form of Preksha Meditation. The main aim of Preksha meditation is to reach and purify the deeper levels of existence.
He also launched the campaign "Naya Mod" to rid the society from evil practices like purdah system, mrityu bhoj, compelling widows to wear black clothes, subjecting them to insults and dowry system.
DR. LOKESH MUNI'S UNITED STATES TOUR - REPORT
During the three weeks tour Acharyaji participated in programs organized at United Nations, UNO, India House, Capital Hills, California Assembly, Mahatma Gandhi Centre New Jersey, Art Institute Chicago, Jain Centre Chicago, Jain Centre New York, Hindu Temple NY, Malwa Brothers NY etc. He was honored and he gave lectures on different issues in the programs; a few of the press coverage of the same can be seen through the following links. Acharya addressed the large gathering on the occasions to spread the message of Bhagwan Mahavir Philosophy of Non-violence, Peace and Anekant. Peace is the key to development, while violence and terrorism are not solutions to the problem, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, founder-president of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati said at a reception hosted by the Consul General of India in New York Dnyaneshwar Mulay at India House September 17. In his address on a “Future without Violence,” Muni stressed that the problem of violence and terrorism should be eliminated at the root rather than in an ad hoc way. Representatives of several Indian-American organizations attended the event where Muni emphasized that the U.S. and India should work together to end such violence.
|
“Nations are investing enormous sums of money in the development of armaments and nuclear weapons, but very little is being spent on peace,” Muni said. He referred to the shootings at the U.S. Navy Yard and the Boston Marathon bombings, the Syrian chemical attack and the Mumbai terror attacks in his talk. “It is ironic that we seek the fruits of peace without investing anything in it,” Muni said. Poverty, illiteracy and a growing population are also bottlenecks to peace, he acknowledged, and appealed to world spiritual leaders to work closely together on this mission for better society. “Let us talk together. Let us meet other (of diverse backgrounds) and walk a few steps together,” he said. In his welcome address Mulay called upon the political and the religious leaders and non-governmental organizations to be pro-active to confront violence and terrorism and to strengthen the unity of mind. New York Assemblyman William Scarborough, in his address, praised Muni for his contributions towards peace and harmony and presented him with a citation. Professor Bipin Sangankar introduced Muni.Others in attendance included Reverend Henry Fury of The United Presbyterian Church of Ridgewood; Hopatcong School Superintendent Cynthia Randina; Amir Dossal; Roger Sengupta; Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh, publisher of News India Times and recipient of India’s Padma Shri award; Dr. Navin Mehta; Karamjit Dhaliwal; District Leader Uma Sengupta; and Ujwala Shah. Dr. Lokesh Muni also attended Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) launch at the UNICEF headquarters at the United Nations, New York along with other religious heads from around the world. Speaking at the programme he said, Jainism believes water is a living being and is a limited natural resource. This limited natural resource should not be used exorbitantly to fulfill the unlimited desires of human beings. Even to purify ourselves, use of water should be restrained. Source: Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, New Delhi.
ACCORDING TO MUNI TARUN SAGARJI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHAUHAN WILL BE A BETTER PRIME MINISTER
Jaipur: While attending a programme at Jaipur, noted Jain spiritual guru Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj mentioned Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan as a better prime minister candidate. Furthering he also said, "The BJP candidate was endorsed by RSS in the interest of nation. I believe that Modi as prime minister can bring change in the country and make a difference in your life but Chauhan is a better option," said Maharaj.
|
The spiritual leader also praised Modi's developmental model and complimented BJP and RSS for selection of party's prime minister candidate. The statement came during his (Tarun Sagarji) inaugural address at the foundation day of Rashtriya Sawamsewak Sangh (RSS) held at Dusshera Maidan, Raja Park in Jaipur. The Jain Muni was invited by RSS as chief guest of the function, which was attended by hundreds of RSS volunteers. The statement caused ripples in the assembly, with the RSS leaders clarifying views expressed were personal. RSS's clear choice is Modi. Muni Taruj Sagarji is born in Damoh in Madhya Pradesh and has a strong following. He is recognised and respected saint with his literature popularly known as 'Kadve Vachan' (bitter truths) telecasted and watched in over 100 countries by Jain community. He has a strong following in the Hindu community as well, one reason why RSS invited him for the event. RSS leaders earlier had honoured him with a title 'national saint.' The RSS leaders have distanced themselves from the statement of Jain guru and said: "The views expressed by the saint are his personal and does not subscribe to the organization," said a leader.
However, according to Ahimsa Foundation, the issue of discussion could be, whether our religious saints should promote and participate in political process? Reader may send their views.
Reader's views
Jain saints, in particular, who have renunciated their homes, their professional careers, their worldly chores and personal interests, once for all, are not expectede to get involved in any political issues. The very definition of a Jain saint makes it abundantly clear. They take oath during their diksha to accept and follow five mahavrats besides other vrats also and they surely know that much very clearly. This applies to all saints, Shwetamber or Digambar. In fact, Digambar saints are far more strict in following the oath items. Most of them follow the laws but exceptions may there, like the one in question. Certainly, such saints do not deserve to be called a 'true Jain sadhu'. P. L. Jain.
SURAT JAIN SAMAJ CELEBRATES GURU PUSHKAR JAYANTI
20th October, 2013, Surat: In the benign presence of Upadhyayh Ramesh Muni, Uppravartak Dr. Rajendra Muni, Sahitya Diwakar Surendra Muni and other Saints & Sadhvis of Swetambar Sthanakwasi Samaj, community members from Surat, Delhi, Gurgaon, Pali, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Banglore, Mumbai, Ludhiana, Pune, Naasik, Ahmedabad and many other cities joined Pushkar Muni Jayanti celebration at Surat. The dignitaries to attend programme included Avinash Chordia, Anand Praksh Jain, Kesrimal Boorad, Rajkumar Jain, Bhanvar Lal Bohra, Balchand Kharvad, Virendra Dangi, Rajni Dangi etc.
|
The programme started with Navkar Mantra recitation and followed by discourse by Dr. Rajendra Muni, Shri Ramesh Muni and others. Rich tributes were offered to Shri Pushkar Muni for his contribution to Jain literature and his legendary work for the community. Several requests from different places were made to Shri Rajendra Muni for holding his next Chaturmas.
A day before this on 19th October youth wing of Jain conference also celebrated Guru Pushkar Jayanti. The programme was attended in large number by youth wing members in Gujarat. Youth Wing President of All India Jain Conference Atul Jain & General Secretary Prashant Jain from New Delhi presided over the programme. Shri Surendra Muni blessed the programme and Anil Prakash Jain, Balchand Kharvad grace the occasion by their presence. At the end of the programme several resolutions were passed to provide guidance notes to the youth wing members. Members resolved to improve their interaction on a regular basis and consolidate the organization. It was also resolve to take the organization to smaller places and villages. Community service requirement was also recognized.
UDAIPUR JAIN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF GURUDEV PUSHKAR MUNI
|
Upadhya Pushkar muni struggled hard to give a new direction to the society. He was a great personality who spread the message of love, peace and brotherhood across the whole world. Today we are indebted to him f or the inspiration he gave us.
These views were expressed by Rastrasant Ghaneshmuni Shastri on the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of Vishwasant Gurudev Pushkar Muni at a function organized jointly by the Devendra Muni Shikshan, Chikitsa Shod Sansthan and Shree Tarak Guru Jain Granthalaya, Udaipur on Sunday 21st Oct.
Ganesh Muni said that Pushkar Muni spread the message of Jain religion and philosophy all over the world. It is due to his efforts that Jainism is flourishing and expanding. He was a great believer in the power of Navkar Mantra. He took all the teachings of Jainism to the masses.
During the function Shraman Sangeeya Salahkar, Dinesh Muni was conferred with the honorary degree of Sahityashree by Hindi Sahitya Sansthan, Allahabad for his contribution to society and his literary achievements. He was given a Prashatri Patra by eminent authority Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat, Dr. Uday Chand Jain and Hukumi Chand Jain.
NEWS ABOUT JAIN TEMPLES
THE CONDITION OF JAIN TEMPLES IN SOUTH INDIA IS MATTER OF CONCERN
MAKODU'S PARASWNATH TEMPLE - Makodu (Makod), a silent village in the Periyapatna taluk of Mysore district has a very ancient history. The ancient Basava (Nandi) temple and the Parshwanath temple are living proofs to this. The Basava temple is in good shape and is worshiped regularly.
|
Ruined Parshwanth Temple - The Parshwanath temple is in a very dilapidated condition and demands immediate attention of the community. For a first timer to the village it is hard to locate the temple. Even after locating one cannot make out that it is a Jain temple owing to the fact that it is on its ruins. We can find a lot of plants, trees and creepers grown around the external walls of the temple. Most parts of the external structure are in a dismantled state. It is very shocking to note that the temple has been converted into a store room and a cow shed. We can find a pile of broken pipes, bamboos being put up to tie the cows and is used as a working place for a couple of families around the temple to stock their fire wood. A couple of houses with mud walls have also been constructed around the temple in the area said to be belonging to the temple.
Construction of the Temple - We cannot find any inscriptions or other historical sources mentioning about the temples antiquity. However, looking at its structure and history of the place we can conclude that the temple might have been constructed during the Hoysalan period (around 12 -13th Century).
Temple Structure - Externally it has an attractive adhishtana (foundation). Internally the temple has a multi pillared wide hall (navaranga) leading to a smaller hall (sukanasi) and the sanctum sanctorum (garbagriha). The sanctum sanctorum houses a 5 feet 9 inches high ruined idol of Lord Parshwanath in the standing (Kayotsarga) posture. The idol is flanked by Dharanendra Yaksha, Padmavati Yaksi and have attractively carved arch enclosure surrounding it. The idol has seven hoods and the face is mutilated. The idol has been chipped off intermittently all throughout its length. The Navaranga and the Garbagriha have attractive carvings along its roof.
Location - Makodu is a village located at a distance of 61 Kms from Mysore, 17 Kms from Hunsur, 20 Kms from Periyapatna & 25 Kms from Krishnarajanagar.
This ancient temple will vanish from public view forever unless urgent steps are taken to protect it. Source: Nitin H. P. Website: www.jainheritagecentres.com
MOODBIDRI IDOL THEFT: JAINS DEMAND CBI PROBE
|
Mangalore: In an attempt to pressure the State government to transfer the investigation of the stolen Jain idols from a Basadi in Moodbidri to the CBI, seers from eight different Jain Mutts in the Statestaged a day-long silent protest on the premises of Thousand Pillars Temple at Moodbidri.
The proteststarted in morning with 2,000 persons from the Jain community including D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and others. According to Jain Samaj since, the police haven’t been able to make any further inroads in the case and have not recovered all the idols, a CBI inquiry was needed.
KARNATAKA (MOODBIDRI)TEMPLE THEFT SHAKING CHHATISGARH POLITICS
Oct 11, 2013, Jain temple theft in Karnataka has raised many issues and lot many person from Chattisgarh, Odisha and Karnataka have involved themselves in this unfortunate affair. Although, the Jains, are numerically small but electorally influential community. They are up in arms against the BJP-led state government for being apathetic to their demand for the recovery of the idols. Therefore, what worries the BJP at the moment is that the demand is blurring the political divide between the major Jains sects - Digambars and Shwetamvars. It is felt that, the Digambras are seen close to the Congress, while the latter is close to the BJP.
|
As reported by the Ahimsa Times last month, 15 priceless statutes and idols, said to be worth thousands of crores, were stolen in Karnataka on the night of June 5 from the Siddhanta Darshan temple of Moodbidri near Mangalore. This is one of the most revered places of pilgrimage for the Digambars. “The statues belong to the period of emperor Chandragupta Maurya". The reference to Chandragupta takes the origin of the statues to 340 BC- 298 BC.
The Mangalore police acted swiftly, scanned the CCTV camera footage and nabbed the thief from Bhubaneshwar in Odisha. The police traced eight of the stolen statues, three intact, rest melted. The thief had told the police during an interrogation that he sold off seven statues to a prominent jeweler of Chhattisgarh, whose family also owns a jewellery business. One individual, Subhash alias Raja Sancheti, was arrested. As it turned out, Sancheti was only the front man for the owners of the jewellery shop. The man behind Sancheti - his brother-in-law, one of the owners of the business empire - was also named by the thief.
The Karnataka police sought to arrest him, but he evaded them, pleading ‘sickness’. Meanwhile, the firm distanced itself from Sancheti claiming he was a franchisee and that the firm was not involved in this case. The police had to go back without recovering the idols.
Jains suspect that with every passing day the chances of the recovery of the statues are receding. Some feel it has already been smuggled out of the country. Despite their repeated pleas the state government has not acted against the person. The Jain community here believes he is being protected by one of the powerful ministers in the Chhattisgarh cabinet.
In the last three months many important seers and community leaders have descended on Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh to make the government face dharnas and processions. The Digamber saint Shri Vivek Sagarji, has charged the state government of protecting the culprits and announced a fast till the idols are recovered. Every important person in Raipur visited him during his stay in Raipur including two senior ministers.
Vivek Sagarji has appealed to his followers not to come out to vote in the November-December assembly elections if nothing comes out of his and the community’s efforts to make the government sit up, take action and recover the stolen statues. The incident is also bringing both the Jain sects together. Swetamber Jain stalwart from Raipur, Lokesh Kawaria, General Secretary of Jain Chaturmas Samiti in Raipur joined the procession to the Raj Bhawan under the leadership of the Digambar seer.
JAIN TEMPLE BURGLED IN BANGLORE, RS 25 LAKH IN CASH AND JEWELS STOLEN
Oct 21, 2013,Bangalore: Gold ornaments worth over Rs 20 lakh and Rs. 5 Lakh in cash were allegedly burgled from a Jain temple in Akkipete, Chickpet. The burglary, targeting Sri Vasu Poojya Swami Jain Swetambar Moorti Poojak Sangh, dedicated to prominent Jain Thirthankara Vasu Poojya Swami, appeared to have been meticulously planned and executed by a group of four or five people, all masked.
|
The burglars rendered unconscious five security guards on duty at the two-floor temple on Obaiah Lane by allegedly lacing their food with sedative. They then cut open iron grills on the building facade, smashing six of the 16 CCTV cameras in the temple and fleeing with a box containing 440 grams of gold and cash in a safe and seven hundis (cash boxes). The burglars left behind small change in the hundis and fled with currency notes. The premises has two temples, one on the ground and another on the first floor. The guards stay on the second floor. The incident came to light around 5.30am when the chief priest of the temple arrived for morning prayers. He saw a security guard coming down the stairs vomiting. The guard could not answer the priest's questions and blabbered something in reply. On finding the four other security guards of the temple in an unconscious state upstairs, the priest called for help and the men were rushed to Victoria Hospital. The men after gaining consciousness told police that they felt dizzy after having dinner around 9.30pm.They said they do not recollect what happened after that. All the five guards have been working with the temple for many years. Nagveer Bahadur joined when the temple was established 20 years ago. The guards said they felt dizzy and lost consciousness. One of them dozed off on the ground floor where the sanctum sanctorum is, while the rest collapsed on the first floor where the temple's offices are located. Senior police officers who inspected the spot said it was a well-planned burglary. They said it is not clear how the burglars breached the first layer of defense. "But we have some footage from the remaining 10 CCTV cameras in the temple and they have provided us some leads," they said. However, the burglars had their faces covered, they added.
|
JAIN TEMPLE BURGLED IN RATLAM, ANTIQUES STOLEN
Oct 9, 2013, Indore: A Jain temple in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh was burgled in the continuing spate of robberies at Jain shrines in the district. Silver and copper jewellery and idols were also stolen. Temple authority lodged the FIR with Police. The Manak Chowk police station in charge said the robbers entered the Bada Adikeshwar Bhagwan temple in Karmudi area, smashed the locks and decamped with antiques and silver crowns, a silver umbrella, besides idols of Bhagwan Shantinath and Bhagwan Gattaji. The donation box was also stolen.
CASH, JEWELLERY STOLEN FROM AHEMDABAD JAIN TEMPLE
Oct 3, 2013,Ahamedabad: In yet another theft at a place of worship, a derasar situated in Sola area was looted. According to the police, silver ornaments worth Rs 1.60 lakh and cash were stolen. Police said the amount of cash stolen during the theft is yet to be established. Police said the thief struck late night at Digambar Jain derasar situated in Jantanagar, in Sola area. Some unidentified person broke open the five locks of the derasar and also broke open its safe and donation box. The thief took away 13 silver umbrellas covering idols of different deities and silver utensils, together worth Rs 1.60 lakh. Over Rs 30,000 is cash was also stolen from the donation box. Sola police is investigating the case. Police said that there is something unusual about the theft as the area in which the derasar is located is a crowded area and it is difficult for any person to break open five locks and three safes without remaining undetected. In September earlier this year, the theft of the 700-year-old idol of Lord Shantinath from Prernatirth derasar also shocked Jains of the city.
इन्टरनेट पर गैरकानूनी रूप से11वीं सदी की भगवान पार्श्वनाथ की प्रतिमा की नीलामी और मूडबद्री की चोरी से जैन समाज में रोष
पिछले कुछ समय में देश के विभिन्न राज्यों में जैन मंदिरों से प्राचीन जैन प्रतिमायों की चोरी की कई घटनाएँ हो चुकी है। इन सबके पीछे अंतर्राष्ट्रीय गिरोह सक्रिय है जो जैन प्रतिमायों को भारत से चोरी करवा कर विदेशों में बेच रहा है। संगठन द्वारा इन्टरनेट पर नीलामी के द्वारा कर्णाटक में पाषाण निर्मित11वी सदी की सवा चार फुट ऊँची भगवान पार्श्वनाथ की एक प्राचीन प्रतिमा को एक कंपनी ने अपनी वेबसाइट पर नीलामी द्वारा 24 लाख रुपये में विक्रय करना पकडा गया है, इस साईट पर और इसी प्रकार से अन्य साईट पर भी पहले भी प्राचीन जैन प्रतिमाएं विक्रय किये जाने की जानकारी मिली है। इस कंपनी के कार्यालय दिल्ली, मुंबई, न्यूयार्क और लन्दन में है। संगठन की शिकायत पर दिल्ली पुलिस द्वारा जाँच शुरू की गयी है!
|
संजय जैन ने कहा कि 5 जुलाई को मूड बिदरी से चोरी की गयी अतिप्राचीन अमूल्य जैन प्रतिमायों का सम्बन्ध देश के चार राज्यों के साथ-2 विदेशों से भी जुडा है। कर्णाटक सरकार द्वारा सी0 बी0 आई0 जाँच कराने हेतु अपनी सिफारिश भेज दी गयी है लेकिन आज तक कोई कार्यवाही नहीं की गयी। जिससे सारे विश्व के जैन समाज में रोष है। उन्होंने कहा कि सख्त कानून न होने और संस्कृति मंत्रालय व भारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षण की लापरवाही के चलते जैन धर्म की प्राचीन अमूल्य धरोहर को लूटा जा रहा है और खुलेआम इन्टरनेट के द्वारा या तो बेच जा रहा है या नीलाम किया जा रहा है, जिसे जैन समाज वर्दाश्त नहीं करेगा। केंद्र सरकार के इन दोनों महत्वपूर्ण विभागों को उपरोक्त जैन प्रतिमा की नीलामी की सूचना एक महीने पहले दे दी गयी थी लेकिन आज तक इनके द्वारा कोई कार्यवाही नहीं की गयी जबकि दिल्ली पुलिस की स्पेशल सेल द्वारा शिकायत के एक महीने बाद कार्यवाही शुरू कर दी गयी है।
संजय जैन, अध्यक्ष - विश्व जैन संगठन ने वर्ष2007 में दिल्ली न्यायालय से 700 वर्ष प्राचीन अष्टधातु से निर्मित तीन जैन प्रतिमायों को अपनी सुपरदारी में लेकर जैन मंदिर में विराजमान कराया था, इन प्राचीन प्रतिमायों को दिल्ली पुलिस द्वारा एक गिरोह से दस करोड रूपए में बेचते हुए पकड़ा गया था। विश्व जैन संगठन पिछले कई वर्षों से इस विषय में कार्यरत है और अपने धर्म की प्राचीन अमूल्य धरोहर को समाज को वापिस दिलवा कर रहेगा।� अमित जैन, प्रेस सचिव - विश्व जैन संगठन, E-Mail:
NEW BOOK LAUNCHES ON JAINISM
प्रसिद्ध गीतकार-संगीतकार रवींद्र जैन ने किया कुरान का पद्यानुवाद
|
प्रसिद्ध गीतकार-संगीतकार रवींद्र जैन ने 20 साल की लगन के बाद कुरआन शरीफ का पद्य अनुवाद पूरा कर लिया है। इसमें अनुवाद का कुछ हिस्सा वह गाकर भी रिकार्ड करवा रहे हैं। इसके अलावा अन्य धर्म ग्रंथों पर भी वह ऐसा ही काम शुरू कर चुके हैं। अपने इस काम के जरिए रवींद्र जैन मानवता की धरोहर को आम लोगों के बीच लाना चाहते हैं।
69 वर्षीय रवींद्र जैन ने कहा कि मेरे शहर अलीगढ़ (उत्तर प्रदेश) की तहजीब में उर्दू-हिंदी दोनों शामिल हैं। कुरआन और रामायण हमारी तहजीब का हिस्सा है, इसलिए मैं अपने शहर का कर्ज उतारने की छोटी सी कोशिश कर रहा हूं। उन्होंने कहा कि कुरआन का पद्य अनुवाद एक मेरा बहुत बड़ा काम था जो अल्लाह ने मुझसे करवाया। कुरआन के 30 पारे का अनुवाद करने में मुझे 20 साल लगे। जल्द ही मेरा यह काम ग्रंथ की शक्ल में लोगों के बीच होगा। इसे मैनें रिकार्ड करना भी शुरू कर दिया है। कुरआन का सूरए अल बकर4 घंटे का रिकार्ड किया जा चुका है। इसके बाद हाल ही में मैनें श्रवींद्र रामायणश् के नाम से 31 घंटे की नई रामायण की अपनी आवाज में रिकार्डिंग भी पूरी कर ली है। इसकी जरूरत पर उन्होंने कहा कि आज अरबी, संस्कृत, फारसी व दूसरी भाषाएं आम लोगों को समझ नहीं आती, इसलिए हमारी धार्मिक-पौराणिक धरोहरों को लोगों के बीच लाने की यह कोशिश है। पुष्करवाणी ग्रुप ने प्रेसनोट डाॅट काम से जानकारी लेते हुए बताया कि इसी कड़ी में श्री जैन श्रीमद् भागवत पुराण व जैन धर्म ग्रंथों पर भी काम कर रहे हैं। श्री जैन ने कहा कि फिल्में आते-जाते रहती हैं लेकिन ये ऐसे काम हैं जो हमेशा-हमेशा रहेगा।
ATTHAPAHUDA: By Acarya Kundakunda - Hindi translation by Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj, Edited by Manish Modi, Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series Volume 6, Mumbai: Hindi Granth Karyalay, 2013, Revised third edition 24 x 18 cm 120 pages, ISBN 978-81-88769-15-5 Softcover Rs. 125. Acarya Kundakunda is probably the most influential Digambara Acarya of the Common Era. His works, "Samayasara, "Pañcastikayasara", "Pravacanasara" and "Niyamasara" along with his" Atthapahuda", "Rayanasara" and "Barasanuvekkha" have made a deep and lasting impact on Jainism. Written primarily with the ascetic in mind, Kundakunda's works have served as inspiration and true guidance to anyone who is interested in attaining the heights of spiritual progress. Kundakunda lived in the early centuries of the Common Era in the South of India. He was a Digambara monk. For Digambara Jains, his name has auspicious significance and occupies third place after Bhagavan Mahavira and Gautama Ganadhara in the sacred litany. Kundakunda wrote in Shauraseni Prakrit. His teachings are lucid and precise. There is no room for obfuscation in his writings. He writes about the soul, but in his works, metaphysics is not divorced from morality. It is said that Kundakunda belonged to the village of Koundakunda, (in Tamil Nadu) hence the name Kundakundacharya. Many scholars concur on this. Kundakunda's "Atthapahuda" (Eight Discourses) represents his teachings in a nutshell. In this work, he discusses various aspects related to the Jain Doctrine and to practical life. In brief gathas, the Acarya has managed to convey the entirety of the Jina's teachings. This work is the key to understanding rational perception, attaining rational knowledge and practising rational conduct in life. This Hindi translation by Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj is precise as well as reader-friendly. Complex ideas and metaphysical concepts are explained. Book available at Hindi Granth Karyala, Mumbai 400004, E-Mail:
THE A to Z of JAINISM - Historical Dictionary of Jainism, By Dr Kristi L Wiley, English, 2006 22 x 14.5 cm 288 pp, Hardcover Rs. 550.
Formerly published in the US as part of the "Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies and Movements Series" published by the Scarecrow Press under the General Editorship of John Woronoff, this work by Dr Kristi Wiley is an excellent example of scholarly diligence, painstaking research and crisp writing. Jainism is amongst the most ancient religions of the world. It has a continuous tradition of over 3000 years. Jains follow the teaching of the ford-makers, or Tirthankaras. The Tirthankaras, aka Jinas, were themselves human beings who attained enlightenment through their own efforts and taught the truths they realised, to others. At the core of these teachings is non-violence to all living beings and a realisation that temporal life can only bring unhappiness. Jainism holds that only a soul free from cumbersome worldly ties and staying clear of attachment and aversion can attain liberation and eternal bliss. This work provides authentic well-researched information on the two principal traditions of Jainism - Digambaras and Shvetambaras. There are over 450 individual entries with technical terms, mendicant lineages, mendicant and lay practices and vows, biographical accounts of influential leaders, scholars, details of the Tirthankaras, pilgrimage sites, etc.
The well-presented Introduction describes the basic teachings of Jainism, the history of the mendicant community and the gradual expansion of the lay community beyond the Indian subcontinent. For the first time, a normative chronology of dates important to Jainism has been presented. An appendix contains detailed information on the 24 Jinas, the Jain festival calendar, the 14 stages of spiritual progress (gunasthana), the 11 pratimas and an exhaustive bibliography of texts, both primary and secondary, arranged by subject. A truly master-class work, dedicated to 2 fine scholars, Paul Dundas of Scotland and John Cort of the US. You may pick up copies of The A to Z of Jainism from Hindi Granth Karyalay, Mumbai 400004, India, E-Mail:
AHIMSA, COMPASSION & VEGETARIANISM
MENAKA GANDHI REQUEST UP GOVERNMENT TO STOP COW KILLING
|
Mrs. Menaka Gandhi has demanded immediate ban on the incessant killing of cows from the Uttar Pradesh Government headed by Akhilesh Yadav. It was sad to see the ever-increasing demand of meat in the export markets.
It is reported in the press that the sale of buffalo meat alone during the year 2012-13 has been of the order of 7,26,287 tons worth Rs. 8,607.79 crores. It is high time that the Jain organisations must jointly come forward and represent to the central government for stopping this inhuman activity.
BAJRANG DAL STRICT AGAINST SLAUGHTERING OF COW & OTHER CATTLES
|
New Delhi Oct 14, 2013. Information about large scale import of cattle in Delhi and NCR on the occasion of Eid has alerted Bajrang Dal youths. Organizations State Chief Shri Shiv Kumar today sent a letter to this effect against slaughtering of Cow and other cattle which is prohibited under Delhi Cattle Preservation Act 1994 and other statutes. According to the state media chief of VHP & Bajrang Dal Shri Vinod Bansal, the letters addressed to the head of state (LG) has been marked CC to the CM, all the three mayors and the Commissioner of Police Delhi for their immediate action. Bajrang dal youths will keep a vigil in and around NCR for compliance of law and assisting law enforcing agencies to book the culprits. The organisation also advised people to use helpline No. 09911588588 running 24 Hrs for the purpose, Shri Bansal added. Source:Vinod Bansal, Media Chief, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Delhi, M - 98109 49109, E-Mail:
जैन मुनियों का प्रयास लाया रंग, भोपों ने बलि नहीं चढाने का लिया संकल्प
उदयपुर 10/10/2013। दिनेश मुनि, महाश्रमणी पुष्य्यवती की पावन प्रेरणा से महासती सोहनकुंवर जैन महिला मंडल की सदस्याओं ने मिलकर समाज में व्य्याप्त कुरीतियों को दूर करने का जो बीडा उठाया उसमें वे निरंतर सफल होते नजर आ रहे हैं। उन्हीं का प्रयास है कि नवराञि के समय देवरों पर बलि चढाने वाले भोपे बलिप्रथा को त्यागकर उसकी बजाय प्रसाद रूप में मीठा भात बनाकर वितरण कर रहे हैं। भोपों द्वारा अपनाई जा रही इस प्रवृति का अनुसरण अन्य् देवस्थानों में भी देखने को मिल रहा है। जैन साधु समाज की यह बहुत बडी उपलब्धि कही जा रही है। पषु संरक्षण के लिए भोपाओं और ग्रामीणों द्वारा लिया गया यह ऐतिहासिक फैसले के संबंध में उन्होंने प्रषासन और प्रेरणा देने वाले संतों को हलफनामा भी दिया है।
|
ऐसे मानें भोपा और ग्रामीण - देवरों के भोपाओं के सामने जब पशु बलि नहीं करने का प्रस्ताव रखा तो एकबारगी उन्हें यह रास नहीं आया परन्तु बाद में उन्होंने देवी दरबार में इस प्रस्ताव पर आखा पाती ली। देवरों में मान्यता के अनुसार आखा पाती में इस मसले पर प्रष्न हुआ और हर जगह से पशु बलि नहीं देने पर सहमति बन गई।
जैन मुनियों की ओर से जगाई गई इस अलख के बाद जिले के पई, उंदरी, दमाना, जगन्नाथपुरा, डीमडी, चररपुर, बिजली, झडोल, मोडीफला, गामणा बेडा, उपली सरदरी, पालावाडा, झलराफला, बेडवपाडा, उबरी, खादरा, उभरियाजी, बागपुरा जैसे कई गांवों में विभिन्न दिवसों पर बलि चढाने वाले भोपाओं ने कभी भी बलि नही चढाने का संकल्प लिया। दिनेश मुनि ने बताया कि भोपों में यह परिवर्तन हमारे पिछले 10 वर्षों से किए जा रहे निरन्तर प्रयासों का परिणाम है।
उन्होंने बताया कि वर्ष 2003 में उपाध्य्या पुष्करमुनि की जन्मजयती के अवसर पर ग्रामीणजनों में अलख जगाने के इस अभियान का सूत्र्पात हुआ। प्रारंभ में हमने मात्र् 5 देवरे लिए लेकिन धीरे धीरे लोगों ने हमारे प्रयास को ठीक समझ् और स्वय पहल करने में जुट गए। आज स्थिति यह हो गई है कि वर्ष 2005 में जहां18 देवरों में बलिप्रथा बंद हुई वह वर्तमान में बढकर30 तक जा पहुंचें है। इस प्रथा को बंद करने वाले भोपों को जैन समाज की और से प्रसाद वितरित करने के लिए घी, शक्कर, चावल प्रदान किया जाता है।
झडोल स्थित अंबामाता मंदिर के भोपा हुरमा मावा का कहना है कि जब से उन्होंने क्षेत्र में बलि प्रथा बंद की तब से उस क्षेत्र में कोई विघ्न नहीं आया। वर्तमान में मीठी प्रसादी को तवज्जों दी जाती है। इसी तरह पई गांव के रतना महाराज का कहना है कि हमने बलि प्रथा बंद कर दी है। अब हम दूसरे गांवों में जाकर लोगों से समझ्ईश करते हैं। गांवों में नवरात्र् के दौरान होने वाली बलि प्रथा का निरीक्षण करने महिला मंडल की तुलसीदेवी बाफना, भूरीबाई सिंघवी, कमला रांका, भारती करणपुरिय ने शपथ पत्र तैयार करवाकर गांवों के मुखिया एवं प्रबुद्ध लोगों से हस्ताक्षर करवाए हैं जो भविष्या में जडमूल से बलिप्रथा को तिलांजलि देंगे। दिनेश मुनि ने बताया कि अगले नौ वर्षों में उदयपुर संभाग के108 देवरों में बलिप्रथा बंद करने का लक्ष्य रखा गया है।
|
CONFERENCES, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
JTIO PROMOTES JAIN KIDS TO CRACK CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS IN GUJARAT
Ahmedabad Chapter of Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) is set to launch JITO Administrative Training Foundation (JATF) which will aim at promoting Jain children into civil services.
|
At present, JITO members are searching for a land or an academy in the city where the kids can be imparted necessary training. Not only this, the organization has roped in many IAS and IPS officers from the state to train the students rigorously for the UPSC examinations. The training centre will also provide all the Jain students lodging and boarding expenditures, which will be either free or nominally charged. For decades, the Jains are associated with business and never with government services. But with this initiative, the Jains of the city and the state will be taking a step towards placing their future generations into administrative services. JATF was launched in Ahemdabad five years agobut with very little response from Jain families, the venture died after a year or two’s struggle. However, over these years, JITO seems to sense a different trend in the city and has therefore, decided to re-launch the academy by October end. This time, members of the organization have planned a systematic launch of the academy. According to Prakash Sanghvi, who is also the vice president of JITO, Ahmedabad, "they will motivate students from Class 12 onwards to join the administrative services. The whole idea is to bring out the talented youths from our community serve the country by joining the administrative services.”
HONOUR & AWARDS
TARANG JAIN HONORED WITH FORBES INDIA LEADERSHIP AWARD 2013
|
The Forbes India Leadership Awards at the Trident in Mumbai was a celebration of all-weather leadership - the men and women who held firm, even grew stronger, against the odds.
The evening began with Phanindra Sama, co-founder and CEO of redBus.in, getting awarded in the outstanding start-up category. Then spotlight moved to Tarang Jain next; the 51-year-old MD of Varroc Engineering was named Nextgen Entrepreneur of the Year.
Jain, who stressed on sustainable growth in times of super-normal growth, thanked his mother and wife and accepted the award on behalf of his 11,000 employees.
S P JAIN B-SCHOOL IN FORBES' TOP 20
Dubai, Oct 15: The Dubai campus of SP Jain School of Management has been ranked among the top 20 in the world in the prestigious 2013 business schools list released by Forbes magazine.
|
The school is the only Indian-origin institute to be ranked among the top 20 of the list which was topped by the International Institute for Management Development Lausenne, Switzerland. IMD is followed by the Fountainebleau, France, campus of INSEAD and the SDA Bocconi of Milan, Italy. Founded in 1981 in Mumbai, the SP Jain School of Management has three other campuses in Dubai, Singapore and Sydney. The Mumbai campus was inaugurated by the then British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, and is now considered a sister school to the other three campuses. Only the Dubai and Singapore campuses offer the executive MBA programme. According to, Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen on the Forbes website, the ranking of business schools is based solely on the return on investment achieved by the graduates from the class of 2008. Mr. Badenhausen said: “We surveyed 17,000 alumni at 100 schools regarding their pre and post-MBA compensation, career choice and location. We heard back from 27 per cent of those graduates. Schools where we did not hear back from at least 15 per cent of their alumni were not included in the rankings. We also did not include schools where alumni had a negative ROI after five years.”
Sudhir Jain and Sarita Jain were elected unanimously as chairperson by the Bharatiya Digambar Jain Teerthkshetra Committee at its meeting held recently at Tijara.
|
Two Indian students, Smit Singhvi and Himanshu Jindal, from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Ahmedabad and latter from Delhi Technical University have been selected by Google and offered a package of Rs. 93 Lakhs each. Similarly, a student from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad has been offered a package of Rs. 1 Crore by Facebook. These are exceptional offers given by multi-national Companies inspire of an year of financial crisis all over the world and in a year of mass retrenchment in the United States.
MISCELLANEOUS
35 JAIN SANGH IN SURAT DEMAND BJP TO FIELD JAIN CANDIDATE FROM SURAT WEST ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY
Oct 20, 2013, Surat: Members of Jain community held a Jin Shashan Gaurav Sammelan in the city and demanded that the ruling BJP field a candidate in the by-elections to Surat West assembly constituency from their group. Presidents of some 35-odd Jain Sanghs belonging to the four branches of the religion passed a resolution to this effect. Jain dharma gurus namely Acharya Chandrasagar Suri, Saiyam Bodhi Maharaj and Rajratna Vijay Maharaj were present at the sammelan. The community members will be meeting chief minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar to impress upon him to give party ticket to a Jain candidate. Similar claims for BJP ticket from the constituency have also been made by representatives of Patidar, Brahmin and Modh Vanik communities. Surat West assembly constituency seat fell vacant due to the death of Kishore Wankawala, who had won with a margin of over 70,000 votes. Surat West constituency, which has 2,03,000 voters, has been considered a safe seat for the BJP. It has been represented by a Modh Vanik community candidate for the past five terms. The by-elections will be held on December 4. Political parties are likely to announce their candidates around Diwali. Ankesh Doshi, a leader of Tera Panth Samaj, said, "We want a candidate from Jain community. We have nearly 35,000 votes in this assembly segment." Suresh Sheth, a leader of Stanakwasi Jain community, said, "Individual doesn't matter, but the candidate must be from our community."
RARE SCULPTURE OF JAIN YAKSHI FOUND IN HAVERI TALUKA, KARNATAKA
Haveri: 18th October 2013 - An inscribed sculpture of Jain Yakshi Ambika was discovered at Karajagi village in Haveri Taluk. Shivayogi R Korishettar, Associate Professor of History at G H College in Haveri, found the sculpture during his explorations near a Siva temple on the banks of river Varada.
|
Prof Shrinivas Padigar, chairman of the department of Ancient Indian History and Epigraphy, Karnatak University, Dharwad, identified the image as that of Ambika Yakshi of Neminatha, the 22nd Jain Tirthankara. The sculpture, over half a metre in height, was apparently meant to be installed as a subsidiary statue in a Jain Basadi. Carved out of greenish-grey chloritic schist, the sculpture depicts a two-armed deity adorned with beaded ornaments, bent over, standing under an umbrella beside a mango tree. She is holding a bunch of mangoes in her right hand and touching her son with the left. Above the umbrella, amidst the creepers, is a miniature seated Jain Tirthankara Neminatha. The uniqueness of the sculpture lies in the fact that it depicts Ambika Yakshi in a standing posture independently while the usual tradition in Karnataka depicts her seated. Further, the sculpture carries a two-line Sanskrit inscription in Nagari script about the date of its installation - “Ambikadevi, Shaka 1173, Virodhikrit. Samvatsara, Vaishakha Shuddha 5, Guruvara.” This corresponds to Thursday, April 27, 1251 AD. The discovery of this sculpture shows that like nearby Devagiri where numerous Jain remains have been found, Karajagi must have been a Jain centre during the medieval period and some of the architectural fragments found in the village may have originally belonged to a Jain Basadi.
DISCOVERY TV CHANNEL SHOOTS FILM ON ACHARYA VARDHMAN SAGAR JI
US based Discovery TV Channel has done shooting for a documentary film at Kundalpur with Acharya Vardhmaansagaraji and his disciples. The film depicts the life style of a Digamber Jain Saint and deal with various religious rituals. The film shoot started on 6 and will continue for about ten days at different locations. The film also covers the life style of a few girl candidates who will be taking Diksha on 14th October with the blessings of Acharya Shri Vibhav Sagarji at Ashok Nagar. The documentary shoot also covers discourse by Acharya Shri Vardhman Sagarji. The documentary will be translated in several languages and shown around the world. Source: Pritesh Shah, E-Mail:
 |
|
JAIN LEGACY FROM SANGHA PERIOD IN SHAMBLES
Thrissur: The famed Ilavanchikulam and the Jain temple in Mathilakam are yet other examples of history lying in shambles. Located some 50 km from the heart of the cultural capital, only a few leftovers of this monumental site are visible now.
|
According to K. M. Gopalan, president of the Mathilakam Heritage Conservation Committee, the sleepy village of Thrikkana Mathilakam, the Mathilakam of modern times, is the place where Ilango Adigal, the Jain monk is believed to have penned Silappathikaram.
“Archaeological evidence from the spot shows that it was a flourishing centre of Jainism. This temple and the pond which seem to belong to the Sangha period, calls for a detailed study,” he said.
Earlier in 1967, the Archaeological Survey of India had conducted an excavation at the site and found the half circled basement of a Jain temple and a wall, which also suggested that there could be an ancient town in the place. Though the findings pointed to the need for further excavations at the site, no such exercise was taken up, he added.
Documents show that the temple had come under attack twice in the 16th century from the Portuguese and the Dutch, who took away valuables and demolished the temple. In 1795, the Gowda Brahmins constructed a new temple at the location with the help of the British ruler, but it failed to stand the test of time.
Meanwhile, the ASI said there were proposals to conserve the location, which once served as a confluence for Tamil and Malayalam cultures. “The plan would be implemented based on the availability of funds. But as of now no decision has been taken on conducting further excavations”, said a senior official.
|
|
ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
SCHOLAR'S PERSPECTIVE ON GOD-By Dr. Sulekh C. Jain
Some foolish men declare that a creator made the world. The doctrine that the world was created is ill-advised and should be rejected. If God created the world, where was he before the creation? If you say he was transcendent then and needed no support, where is he now? How could God have made this world without any raw material? If you say that he made this first, and then the world, you are faced with an endless regression. Hunter Joslin's article several weeks ago, "Is There Room for God in Jainism?" has created a good bit of debate. There seems to be some confusion arising from the terminology used. In Christianity the term is God, in Islam Allah, in Hinduism Ishwar, and in Jainism bhagwan. All of these terms in fact have very different meanings and are not interchangeable.
|
In the Judeo-Christian religions, God is the creator, destroyer, operator, rewarder, and punisher all at once. In Hinduism, Ishwar is the creator, preserver, and destroyer, as seen in the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. In some cases, this figure is also a rewarder and punisher. Hinduism has hundreds (and maybe thousands) of different versions of Ishwar, and some are indeed very close to the bhagwan of Jainism. In all of these concepts, God, Allah, or Ishwar is singular and refers to only one deity. In Jainism, though, there are many.
In Jainism, we only have the term "bhagwan," which refers to arihantas (the divine in human form) and siddhas (the divine after leaving the human body). Neither arihantas nor siddhas are considered a creator, preserver, destroyer, operator, rewarder, or punisher. All kevali, or beings who have attained enlightenment, are arihantas first, and, once they leave the human body, they become siddhas. Siddhas have become free from the cycle of birth and death. They are formless too and have nothing to do with this unending process of birth and death any more. The concept of a prophet, a son of God, or an avatar of God or Ishwar does not exist in Jainism. An avatar is the being of Ishwar himself when he comes back and takes birth in a human body. In Jainism, everyone has the potential to become a bhagwan. Furthermore, the position is not reserved for any one person.
There are actually an infinite number of siddhas or bhagwans. There is no place for the concept of God, Allah, or Ishwar among these numerous bhagwans. However, a state that we call "godhood" is acknowledged. This refers to the state of complete perfection: veetragtaa, absolute bliss, complete happiness, and perfect knowledge. Any soul can achieve this state of godhood. It must be stressed that the Jain religion is not a religion of Godhead or Ishwaratav. It has faith in the liberated ones including the tirtha karas. Jains do not believe in an indirect and unseen God. For Jains, this revered God or bhagwan can only be one who has lived a human life, who has experienced joy and sorrow, conquered emotions through his or her spirituality and intuition, and moved beyond as a determined aspirant until he or she attained a state of liberation.
The Jain tirtha karas fall under this category. They were not divine or extraordinary in the beginning. They were mortal like us, but, by the power of their spiritual practices, they gained liberation and eternal divinity. Thus, their lives give us models for the gradual and methodical evolution and success of moving beyond the infinite cycle of living and dying.
When Jains pray, they pray to the qualities of those souls who have achieved perfection, requesting that they (the ones who pray) may become like them (the bhagwans) by following their paths, teachings, and characteristics. They are our role models, our beacons of light to follow to cross the ocean of this samsara. Since a bhagwan is not a punisher or rewarder, no arihantas or siddhas can give anything except guidance on the spiritual path.
Similarly, in all Indian Dharmic traditions, there is no equivalent terminology for leaders such as clergyman, rabbi, or Imam. We have purohits, pujaris, pandits, priests, swamis, gurus, acharyas, monks, and nuns, all of whom are practitioners seeking liberation. I would suggest that we avoid the terms God, Allah, and Ishwar when discussing Jainism. We should only use the word "bhagwan," which refers to all kevali and siddhas.
WHY GO FOR ASCETIC LIFE?
Among the usual millions who jump into the race of life to carve their space in the material world, these people stand apart raising the question that has wracked the brains of many?.
|
Many of her relatives and friends were astounded when Manali Rathod abandoned a promising career in interior designing to become a Jain Sadhvi: Manali is not alone. Here’s Vikrant Suresh Vohra, who according to Motilal Rathod, Manali’s father, quit his plush job in the US to become a monk. When he did so on 14 April 2013, he was 37. Vikrant Muni now leads the ascetic life at Ranjangaon, near Durg in Chattisgarh. That’s not young enough? Here’s Reshma of Vellore. This Sadhvi is 23. Then there’s Mansi Jhaveri, Monica, both women in their 20s.
So what is driving these people, smart, young successful, to turn to the path of spirituality when they should be basking in their success and enjoying their lives with their hard-earned money as is the way of life these days? Atul Shah’s story is stranger still. He is merely 32. Two years ago, when he switched his suit for the garb of a monk, he had been running a successful company valued at $2m - not much, but for a man of 30, not so bad. Atul Shah now is a shalibhadra muni, eats one meal a day and fasts the next three. His meal? Chapathi soaked in water. Or flour with water - eaten uncooked.
It’s a bit bizarre because it’s unimaginable that the youth of today could lead that hard a life. For instance, Manali will henceforth for the rest of her life never brush her teeth, won’t bath; she will not wear footwear, in her life, she cannot go back to her house, have to let go of her kin, cannot possess money or valuables: simple and hard sacrifices - but when you forego habits, practices your loved ones you knew since you were a baby, the change is tough.
It’s both a happy and sad occasion, says 23-year-old Priya Gandhi, a BSc graduate from Malakpet in Hyderabad, who had come to witness the becoming of Manali into a sadhvi. “It is a hard path that she has chosen for her,” said Priya, adding, “but she is doing so to help others and that’s a great thing.” So why are several professionals and youngsters like Manali renouncing the material world, perhaps for which they had been bracing for all their lives till then, for spirituality? Manali sums it up laconically: Aatma kalyan (spiritual well-being).
According to leaders in the Jain community, every year nearly 2,000 people from the Jain community take diksha in India. Today India has about 14,000 monks off which 10,000 are Sadhvis (nuns) and 4,000 are monks. The rigours of the becoming a sadhvi do not end at the pain of abandoning your life till then. Every strand of hair on Manali’s head would be plucked manually twice a year for the perfect bald head. Needless to speak of the pain, but it is done in penance. When it was time for that, Manali smiled undaunted.
उपेक्षित क्यों जैन समाज? दिनेश मुनि, श्रमण संघीय सलाहकार
प्राचीन काल से वणिकों का देश की अर्थव्यवस्था एवं राज व्यवस्था में महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान रहा है। लोगों की आवष्यकता की वस्तुओं को एक स्थान से दूसरे स्थान पर ले जाकर /लाकर उनको वणिक वर्ग उपलब्ध कराता आया है। वणिक वर्ग और विशेषकर जैन धर्मावलम्बी वर्ग के प्रमुख व्यापारी को नगर सेठ के पद से अलंकृत किया जाता था। नगर सेठ (श्रेष्ठी) का नगर में विशेष सम्मान था और समय-समय पर राजा भी राज-काज के सिलसिले में नगर श्रेष्ठी से परामर्ष करता रहता था। ऐसे भी उदाहरण मिलते हैं कि जब कभी राजा को धन की आवश्यकता होती तो वह नगर श्रेष्ठी से आग्रह कर धन प्राप्त कर लिया करता था। इसका एक उदाहरण ही पर्याप्त होगा। किसी समय जोधपुर नरेश को धन की आवश्यकता हुई। उन्होंने काफी सोच-विचार कर अपने राज्य की छोटी रीयां नामक नगर के नगर श्रेष्ठी को सूचना भिजवाई कि राज्य को धन की आवश्यकता है, भिजवा दें। छोटी रीयां के नगर श्रेष्ठी ने अनेक छकड़ों और ऊँटों पर धन की पेटियां लदवाकर जोधपुर नरेश की सेवा में भिजवा दी थी। इतना ही नहीं नगर श्रेष्ठी तथा कुछ अन्य श्रेष्ठी जब कभी दुर्भिक्ष आदि संकट के समय प्रजा की सहायता भी करते रहते थे। कहने का तात्पर्य यह है कि जैन धर्मावलम्बियों का देश की अर्थ-व्यवस्था एवं राज-व्यवस्था में प्रारम्भ से ही महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान रहा है।
|
भारत देश अंग्रेजों की दासता से मुक्त हुआ। हमारे देश में जनता का राज स्थापित हुआ। देश के नव-निर्माण में जैन धर्मावलम्बियों ने हर प्रकार का सहयोग प्रदान किया। देश में आर्थिक विकास के लिये उद्योग धन्धों की स्थापना में, उनके संचालन में और उत्पादित समाज की मार्केटिंग में जैन मतावलम्बी सबसे आगे रहे। इसी प्रकार देश के व्यापार को समुन्नत करने में भी इस समाज ने अपना भरपूर सहयोग प्रदान किया। स्वतन्त्रता प्राप्ति के पष्चात् देश में अषिक्षा की समस्या से निपटने के लिये जैन समाज आगे आया। जैन समाज ने अपनी सामर्थ्यानुसार अनेक ग्राम एवं नगरों में प्राथमिक शाला भवनों से लेकर महाविद्यालय भवनों का निर्माण करवाकर देश को समर्पित किये। अनेक स्थानों पर प्राथमिक शालाएं, माध्यमिक षालाएं, उच्च माध्यमिक शालाएं और महाविद्यालयों की स्थापना कर छात्र-छात्राओं के लिये षिक्षा सुविधाएं उपलब्ध करवाई। इसी प्रकार इस समाज के कुछ वरिष्ठ घरानों ने कुछ तकनीकी संस्थाएं भी स्थापित कर तकनीकी षिक्षा सुलभ करवाने का प्रषंसनीय कार्य किया इतना ही नहीं जैन समाज ने विष्वविद्यालय तक की स्थापना की। अनेक शोध केन्द्रों की स्थापना की और यह सिलसिला आज भी चल रहा है।
जनता को स्वास्थ्य सेवाएं उपलब्ध करवाने की दृष्टि से अनेक स्थानों पर अस्पतालों का निर्माण करवाया। स्वास्थ्य षिविर लगाये जा रहे हैं जिनमें निः शुल्क चिकित्सा उपलब्ध कराई जाती है। गौ माता की सेवा जितनी जैन धर्म के व्यक्ति कर रहे हैं वह अपने आप में एक महान सेवा का कार्य है।
जैन धर्मावलम्बियों ने अनेक ग्राम एवं नगरों में स्थानक, जिनालय बनवाये, नये तीर्थ स्थानों की स्थापना की, ग्राम-ग्राम में उपाश्रय एवं धर्मशालाओं का निर्माण करवाया जिससे धर्माराधना सुविधाजनक हो सकी। जैन साधु-साध्वी पैदल घूम-घूम कर न केवल धर्म का प्रचार करते हैं वरन् शाकाहार के साथ व्यसन मुक्त जीवन जीने की प्रेरणा प्रदान करते हैं। जैन साधु एवं जैन धर्मावलम्बी सर्वधर्म समभाव की भावना के साथ काम करते हैं। यदि यह कहा जाये कि जैन धर्म में धर्म जैसा कुछ भी नहीं है, इससे तो आचरण की षुद्धता पर जोर दिया जाता है। जो अहिंसा का पालन करता है, सत्याचरण करता है, अचौर्य भावना रखता है, अपरिग्रह का पालन करता है और ब्रह्मचर्य की साधना करता है वही जैन है। इसमें साम्प्रदायिकता और हठाग्रह तथा कदाग्रह को कोई स्थान नहीं है। अकाल हो, भूकम्प हो, बाढ़ का कहर हो सभी प्रकार की विपत्ति के समय जैन समाज जनता जनार्दन की सहायता के लिये सबसे पहले उपस्थित रहता है और तन-मन-धन से सहायता कर अपने आपको धन्य मानता है।
देशमें एक नहीं अनेक राजनीतिक दल हैं। सभी दल चुनाव के समय अथवा जब भी उनके दल के कार्यक्रमों का आयोजन होता है, चन्दा लेते हैं। जैन मतालम्बी सभी दलों को चन्दे के रूप में भरपूर धनराषि देते हैं। बदले में जैन मतावलम्बी उनके सामने किसी प्रकार की मांग नहीं रखते हैं और नहीं अपने लिये किसी प्रकार की सुविधा चाहते हैं। जैन मतावलम्बी कठोर परिश्रमी होते हैं और अपने परिश्रम एवं विवेक-बुद्धि से व्यापार-व्यवसाय के माध्यम से न्यायोचित धनोपार्जन करते हैं। जैन मतावलम्बी सरकार को कर देने में भी पीछे नहीं हटते हैं। जितना भी कर नियमानुसार होता है वे शासकीय कोष में जमा करवा देते हैं।
कला और साहित्य के क्षेत्र में भी जैन मतावलम्बी कम नहीं है। सिनेमा उद्योग में भी जैन मतावलम्बियों का महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान है। अनेक जैन लेखक एवं कवि हुए है और आज भी हैं, जो अपनी लेखनी के माध्यम से महत्त्वपूर्ण ग्रन्थों का सृजन कर रहे हैं। नाट्यकला में भी इस समाज के लोगों के योगदान को विस्मृत नहीं किया जा सकता। जैन साधु-साध्वियाँ भी विपुल मात्रा में साहित्य सृजन कर रहे हैं, जो मानवीय मूल्यों की स्थापना में महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान दे रहा है। जैन साहित्य नैतिक उत्थान में जितना सहायक हो सकता है, उतना अन्य साहित्य नहीं। फिर भी हमारे देश के मूर्धन्य विद्वानों की दृष्टि जैन साहित्य की ओर नहीं जाती है। सरकार ने स्वयं भी जैन साहित्य की ओर से आँखें बन्द कर रखी हैं। जैन साहित्य और जैन साहित्यकारों की उपेक्षा असह्य है। क्या सरकार जैन साहित्य के नाम पर पृथक से कोई पुरस्कार स्थापित नहीं कर सकती।
जो जैन समाज देश के आर्थिक, सामाजिक, सांस्कृतिक नैतिक विकास में इतना महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान दे रहा है, उस समाज की राजनैतिक दृष्टि से उपेक्षा हो रही है। राजनैतिक उपेक्षा कैसे हो रही है? यह स्पष्ट करने के पूर्व एक अन्ध-विष्वास की ओर भी ध्यान आकर्षित करना उचित प्रतीत होता है वह यह कि कुछ गाँवों में ऐसी धारणा है कि जिस गाँव में जैन मुनि चातुर्मास करते हैं, वहाँ बरसात नहीं होती, इस अन्ध-विष्वास के चलते कुछ वर्षों पूर्व एक मूर्धन्य जैन सन्त श्री को ग्रामीणों का घोर विरोध सहन करना पड़ा था। जरा सोचिए जो जैन मतावलम्बी जल को जीवन मानता है और उसकी मितव्ययता पर जोर देता है, वह भला ऐसा क्यों सोचेगा? जल के महत्त्व को जितना जैन मतावलम्बियों ने समझा है, उतना अन्यों ने नहीं। यदि जैनियों की भांति सभी व्यक्ति मितव्ययतापूर्ण जल का उपयोग करना सीख ले तो पेय जल संकट से किसी सीमा तक निपटा जा सकता है। दूसरे जहाँ इस प्रकार का अन्ध-विश्वास प्रचलन में है वहाँ के लोगों को वास्तविकता से अवगत कराया जाना चाहिये।
यदि यह कहा जाय कि आम लोग भी जैन समाज के प्रति स्वस्थ दृष्टिकोण नहीं रखते हैं। आम लोगों की यह धारणा है कि जैन समाज के लोग व्यापार-व्यवसाय में लोगों का शोषण करते हैं, मनमाना मूल्य लेकर वस्तुओं का विक्रय करते हैं, सस्ते दामों में किसान मजदूरों से उनका सामान लेकर ऊँचे दामों में उपभोक्ताओं को बेचते हैं, यह आरोप मिथ्या है। जैन समाज के लोग वाजिब मूल्य पर सामान का विक्रय करते हैं, इसी प्रकार यह आक्षेप भी जैन समाज पर लगाया जाता है कि ये लोग जरूरतमन्द लोगों को ऊँचे ब्याज पर रूपया उधार देकर लोगों का आर्थिक शोषण करते हैं, यह आरोप भी मिथ्या है, और सुनी-सुनाई बातों पर आधारित है, जो ब्याज लिया जाता है वह बाजार की प्रचलित दरों के हिसाब से ही लिया जाता है और कई मामलों में तो जैनी उधार लेने वाले की स्थिति देखकर ब्याज में छूट भी प्रदान कर देते हैं। इस विषय को यहीं विराम देना उचित है।
अब राजनैतिक उपेक्षा की बात करते हैं। सभी राजनैतिक दल जैन मतावलम्बियों से चन्दा लेने में आगे रहते हैं बिना किसी भी जैन मतावलम्बी को अपने दल का प्रमुख बनाने, अपने दल का बिना किसी निर्वाचन में उम्मीदवार बनाने में परहेज करते हैं। लाभ लेने में तो सभी दल एक समान हैं और जब लोक सभा, विधानसभा आदि के चुनाव में टिकिट देने की बात आती है तो जैनियों की उपेक्षा कर दी जाती है। संसद में तथा कतिपय विधान परिषदों में कुछ पद आरक्षित होते हैं जिनकी नामांकन के द्वारा मूर्ति होती है। ऐसे व्यक्तियों में सुप्रसिद्ध कथाकार, साहित्यकार, समाजसेवी, विद्वान तथा इसी प्रकार का कोई विषिष्ट व्यक्ति होता है। यदि जैन समाज पर दृष्टिपात किया जावे तो वहाँ कलाकार, साहित्यकार, विद्वान, समाजसेवी, दानी सभी प्रकार के व्यक्ति मिल सकते हैं। क्या किसी जैन मतावलम्बी को ऐसे नामांकित सदस्यों की सूची में सम्मिलित नहीं किया जा सकता। यहाँ पर भी जैन मतावलम्बियों की उपेक्षा होती है।
अतः मेरा समग्र जैन समाज से विनम्र आग्रह है कि अपने तीर्थों को पवित्र तीर्थ घोषित करवाने, स्मारकों, समाधि-स्थल, धर्म स्थानकों आदि को वरिष्ठ दर्जा दिलाने, राजनैतिक अधिकार प्राप्त करने तथा ऐसे ही अन्य सम्मानजनक अधिकार प्राप्त करने के लिये बिना किसी साम्प्रदायिक भेदभाव के एकजुट होकर अपने अधिकारों को प्राप्त करने का प्रयास करना चाहिए। इस अहिंसक एवं शाकाहारी समाज की उपेक्षा अब सहन नहीं हो सकती। यदि हमें अपने अधिकार नहीं मिले तो चन्दा देना बन्द कर दो और सरकार को भी चेतावनी दे दो कि यदि हमारे प्रमुख तीर्थों को पवित्र स्थान का दर्जा व लोक-सभा राज्य सभा, विधानसभा में जैन व्यक्तियों को टिकिट नहीं दिया गया तो भविष्य में सरकार को कर देना सम्भव नहीं होगा। हम जागेंगे तभी कुछ प्राप्त कर सकेंगे।
DEVLOK GAMAN
|
Sadhvi Upparvartini Shri Koshalya Kunwarji from Sharman Sangh left for heavenly abode on 19 October 2013 at Udaipur. She was disciple of Upadhyay Shri Pushkar Muniji and also related to him in family before Diksha.
After accepting Santhara, she breath her last at Shri Guru Pushkar Navkar Teerth Bhawan at theage of 75 years. She was sick for last few days and also treated at hospital. Large number of disciples gathered and joined the procession for before cremation. The last rites were performed by her nephew Shri Suresh Paliwal and Navkar Teerth Trustees. Saints and Sadhvis from all over India paid rich tributes for her enormous contribution to Jain religion.
She was born in Paliwal Brahmin family in Gogunda village of Rajasthan. She accepted Jain Bhagwati Diksha at the age of ten years under the guidance of Upadhyay Shri Pushkar Muni and Mahasadhvi Shri Sajjan kunwarji at Udaipur.
She travelled more than 60000 kilometers to propagate and spread the philosophy of Jainism. Source: Shri Tarak Guru Jain Granthalaya Udaipur, E-Mail:
JAIN CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2013
VIR SAMVAT 2539 JAIN CALENDAR VIKRAM SAMVAT 2069
Aatham |Chaudas | Pancham | Bij | Agiyaras | JainFestival | AuspiciousDay |
| AASO - NOVEMBER 2013 -KARTIK | |||||||
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | AVOID GREEN & ROOT VEGETABLES |
| AASO:1 - 3 NOVEMBER KARTIK: 4 - 30 NOVEMBER | 1 Vad Teras | 2 Vad Chaudas | 3 Vad Amas | ||||
| 4 Sud Ekam | 5 Sud Bij | 6 Sud Trij | 7 Sud Pancham | 8 | 9 Sud Satam | 10 Sud Aatam | |
| 11 Sud Nom | 12 Sud Dasam | 13 Sud Agiyaras | 14 Sud Baras | 15 Sud Teras | 16 Sud Chaudas | 17 Sud Poonam | |
| 18 Vad Ekam | 19 Vad Bij | 20 Vad Trij | 21 Vad Choth | 22 Vad Choth | 23 Vad Pancham | 24 Vad Chhath | |
| 25 Vad Satam | 26 Vad Aatam | 27 Vad Nom | 28 Vad Dasam | 29 Vad Agiyaras | 30 Vad Baras | ||
