Theme: Voyage to Freedom: Crossing the Ocean

Venue: Canons High School, Edgware.

The Convention began with registration and dinner on Friday evening.  Gift bags were given to all participants with pen, paper, choice of Jain text book, key-ring, book-mark, etc.

Introductory sessions were conducted on Friday evening.

Enthusiasm was Evident Throughout

The next two days concentrated

Presentation

on interactive sessions, breakout sessions, and play acting to bring out a very clear understanding of the soul’s journey, using the body as a vehicle, through the ocean of life, death, rebirth due to the inflow and bondage of karma.  The nine tattvas were covered logically to further understand the auspicious and the inauspicious, stoppage of inflow, annihilation of bondage and liberation.

The popular analogy: of a sailor [soul] in a boat [body] with holes [inlets] allowing clean water [auspicious karma] or filthy water [inauspicious karma] plugging the holes [stoppage] bailing out the water [annihilation of karma] and reaching the shore [liberation]: was used.

Workshop in Progress

Approximately 120 people attended the Convention, with most in the youth age group.

To make it fun to learn, a beach party was played on Saturday night after dinner.  Many activities and games were planned and people seemed to enjoy themselves with tasty bites and drinks as well.

On Sunday, representatives of Jain organisations were invited to attend.  After lunch a final session of Q & A was held with a panel to respond.  Vote of thanks to all concerned and promise to try and join the regular activities of Young Jains brought the Convention to an end on Sunday night.

Event Banner

Institue of Jainology, London and Ahmedabad in conjunction with Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institue, Pune had organized a three day seminar on Manuscriptology from 1st to 3rd August at Vishwakosh Bhavan,  Ahmedabad.

This was a first ever seminar organized in India on Manuscriptology attended by both professionals and students of the subject. Over 230 professionals and students attended the seminar.

Prof. Dipti Tripathi, Director of the National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi inaugurated the seminar with an opening addressed. She started by commending  Mr Nemu Chandaria OBE and Padmashree Dr Kumarpal Desai to have conceived the idea of this seminar at a national level. It was sure to inspire more research work

Dr. Maitreyee Deshpande - Hon. Secretary of Bhandarkar Oriental Lights the Dip whilst Director Prof Tripathi Look on

She emphasized the need for research in manuscriptlogy as we need to understand the rich heritage from our ancestors.

She also expressed concern that there was very little research on ways of conserving the manuscripts.  Modern technology has enabled many conservation methods but no research has been undertaken seriously.

Both the Government and the private institutes have funding available to offer financial assistance and scholarship but sadly the researchers have not come forward to take this opportunity.

She was of the opinion that such seminars would certainly help bring about a deeper understanding of the subject and inspire interest in studying the manuscripts and also undertake research on manuscript conservation.

She concluded with commending the Institute of Jainology once again for the initiative and assured it and other Institutes that if they had proper infrastructure to promote such activities, financial assistance will certainly be available from the Government. In her conclusion she also referred to the work done by the Institute in creating an excellent catalogue of the manuscripts held in the British Library collection and the JAINpedia project to make the rare manuscripts accessible to lay people.

Officials Including Director Prof Tripathi on the Podium

The first session of the seminar was opened by Dr. Sudha Gopalakrishnan the former Director of the National Mission for Manuscripts.  In her talk she suggested that manuscriptology as a subject should be included in the University curriculum and appealed to the professors present in the audience to take this message home.
In the sessions that followed, there were 24 prominent speakers from Departments of History, Languages, and Philosophy from various leading universities. All were very enthusiastic to have had an opportunity to attend such a seminar and expressed their agreement to increase the level of both the studies and research in the subject of manuscriptology.

Several Heads of various departments at universities and institutes agreed to make available to both students and research graduates the photocopies of the MSS for research in Jain Agam, Religion, Art, History, Civilization, Medicine, Sculpture and so on.
It was very pleasing to note that new subjects in Manuscriptology were introduced by three MSS experts in the field, namely Dr. Niranjan Rajyaguru, Dr. Balwant Jani, and Dr. Mohyuddin Bombaywala.  The three new subjects were:
(1) Sant Sahitya: Manuscripts Research and Editing
(2) Charani Sahityani Hastaprato.
(3) Farasi Hastaprato: Sanshodhan and Sampadan

Some of the Audience

Dr. Kumarpal Desai and Shri Nemubhai Chandaria, Trustees of the Institute of Jainology announced the availability of a scholarship for post graduate research in MSS.

They also announced a competition to encourage the students attending the seminar to study and write on what had been discussed and proposed in the seminar.

The Institute can take justifiable pride in having not only pioneered fundamental research in the subject of Manuscriptology by having created the catalogue of British Library collection but also inspired further studies and research in to the rich heritage in India of the ancient manuscripts.

Please visit http://www.celebratingre.org.uk/ for more details and downloading the material.

Institute of Jainology will be coordinating the activities for those involved with Jain RE. Please email to info@jainology.org to register your interest.

‘The Strand’ on the Jain Manuscripts and paintings display is now available on BBC iPlayer.
The Strand website is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsn3  
The broadcast itself of Tuesday 22 June is availale at :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0084t6r .

This page includes a brief write-up of the Jain Manuscripts display and two images. The interview is Chapter 3 of the programme, which can be selected at the bottom of the page. The url is:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0084t6r#p008hq5c

Several papers were presented amongst them, one by Mr Ranjiv Anand, IoJ  Consultant for the JAINpedia project. His paper is one of the papers published by V & A  for international distribution. A copy of his paper is repeated below. Other papers being published at the same time can be seen at:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/res_cons/research/conferences/margins_to_core/index.html

Information available includes conference papers and notes, Christopher Breward’s conference reflections, speakers biographies, video’s and photographs.

The Role of Community Heritage – Rajiv Anand MA,    Museum Consultant

British Jain collections represent some of the most important in the world. These collections are important because they are rare or unique cultural objects, and many are sacred objects to members of the Jain community. The information they contain is also of cultural importance. Access to them is therefore clearly important to the Jain community. The JAINpedia project will make accessible, for the first time, a range of manuscripts and artefacts relevant to the Jain religion and culture and will develop a strong sense of community heritage through a series of exhibitions in the holding collections and associated events.

Jain material in Britain consists of approximately 4,000 unique manuscripts in various UK collections such as the British Library, the Bodleian Library, the Wellcome Trust and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Many of them have never been catalogued or put on public display and access to their host institutions is severely restricted.

Written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi and Gujarati, these are vitally significant pieces of Jain heritage. The majority of the manuscripts are on paper, palm-leaf, and cloth (some dating back to 1200AD). Many of the documents are highly fragile and susceptible to damage through handling and exposure to light.

The 39 Jain collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum, relating to social and religious life will provide a valuable context to the manuscripts. It is of utmost importance to get the Jain community involved in this work as it develops a sense of community heritage pride and an understanding of this ancient world religion to the wider audience. This is done through outreach initiatives in local community centres, multi-faith institutes, local museums, libraries and archives. We are developing a travelling exhibition to complement the major exhibitions/collections where we will be hosting a selection of
community heritage events till 2012.

It is expected that the Jain community will be active in volunteering at locations across the UK and will be on hand to answer questions, lead on creative heritage activities and promote diversity, tolerance and equality for all. Along with this, we will be working in schools and other locations nationally and hope to see the mutual benefits of collaborative working between the mainstream and the Jain community. We will be evaluating all outreach work in looking at how successfully the wider communities have worked with the specific Jain community and to set benchmarks and targets against this.

We hope to influence the mainstream by offering intercultural and interfaith learning opportunities to an artistic heritage they would not normally have exposure to and aim to collaborate with the widest sections of the mainstream public. With this in mind we are expecting to bring new audiences to Jain community heritage and to examine what impact this will have.
We will also be questioning the issue whether we need to redefine heritage and whose story we are telling. We will also look at what community heritage means to the mainstream and how, as an organisation, we respond to differing views of heritage from the mainstream.
We are planning training for teachers on Jainism and will run a series of INSET afternoons at LEAs throughout the country. These will be focused on the educational material produced through the JAINpedia project and will be led by suitably trained staff.

We will also produce a DVD for public mainstream and voluntary sector workers providing an introduction to the Jain religion and community.

Research has been conducted and has concluded that the main beneficiaries of the project will be:

• T he Jain community of Britain
• Mainstream schools and students who study a plethora of religions in the multi-faith community that is Britain today
• The general public of Britain who are interested in a wide range of cultures that make up Britishness in the 21st Cent.
• Further to this, we hope to attract wider families with pre-school
• children, older people, the unemployed, young people and the disabled along with mainsteam visitors to the holding repositories (BL, Bod Library, V&A and Wellcome Trust Library)

This is your event and your support is vital for its success.

Activities on offer include Jain lectures and workshops with renowned national and international speakers, a professionally produced Jain dance drama, children’s activities, Navpad poojan and a Palitana bhavyatra.

There will be delicious vegan lunch and dinner and free parking on site and activities will take place throughout Harrow Leisure Centre.

ACHARYASHRI MAHAPRAGYA

(14TH JUNE 1920 – 9TH MAY 2010)

HEAD OF THE JAIN SHVETAMBARA TERAPANTH SANGH

Acharya Mahapragya, the 10th Acharya  (sage) and supreme head of the Jain Swetambar Terapanth community, died following a cardiac arrest at Sardarshahar in Churu district of Rajasthan on Sunday 9, May, 2010. He was 90.

Acharyashri was appointed as the head of the Jain Shvetambara Terapanth Sangh by his guru, Acharya Tulsi on 18th February, 1994 and in a formal ceremony in Delhi on 5th February, 1995 he was pronounced as the tenth Acharya of the Sangh.
A giant personality in his own right, it is impossible to describe him in words.

Acharya Mahapragya was born as son Nath Mal to father Tola Ram Choradia and mother Balu ji in Tamkor, a village in Rajasthan, India, on 14th June, 1920.
Within weeks of his birth, he lost his father and was raised by his mother.
There was no school in the village and Nath Mal did not receive any formal education.

Even at a very young age, Nath Mal was deeply impressed by the personality of Acharya Shri Kalu Ram and on 29th January, 1931 Acharya Shrimad Kalu Ram initiated him as a disciple of Acharya Tulsi at the tender age of ten.  The effectiveness of Guru Shishya parampara in Indian tradition is reflected by the wisdom of Acharya Mahapragya ji in that without any formal schooling he has mastered subjects such as History, Philosophy, Logic, Grammar, Physics, Ayurveda, Politics, Economics, and Social sciences.  He is not only an author but also a poet, and that too in diverse languages such as Hindi, Prakrit and Sanskrit.

Muni Nath Mal, by his devotion established an incomparable rapport with his Guru, Acharyashri Tulsi and in return was recognised as extraordinary.   Their relationship can be gauged from the following events:

·    In 1955 Acharyashri Tulsi nominated Muni Nath Mal as the Chief Secretary of the Terapanth organisation.

·    On 4th February, 1979 he was appointed successor-designate to Acharya Tulsi and was given the title of Yuvacharya Mahapragya.

·    On 18th February 1994 Achary Tulsi relinquished his post and Yuvacharya Mahapragya became Acharya Mahapragya.  With a holy ceremony in Delhi on 5th February, 1995 he was formally pronounced as the tenth Acharya of the Terapanth Sangh.

Acharya Mahapragya is also the torch bearer of some of the most successful projects initiated by Acharya Tulsi:

·    Anuvrat Movement

Acharya Tulsi launched the Anuvrat Movement in Sardarshahar on March 1, 1949.  In April 1950, it exceeded all expectations when thousands of people of different religious following recited the lesser vows to live a mindful and aware daily life.  The movement is universal and has no relation to any particular sect or religion.  It is a way of life to improve one’s own quality of life as well as to harmonise living with all living beings.  Its relevance to contemporary times can be understood from the small vows to protect the environment and to avoid waste, misuse and pollution of nature.

Since its inception, Acharya Mahapragya ji has made it popular not only in India, but world-wide.  An example is the Golden Jubilee of the movement celebrated in Nepal.  Anuvrat Global Movement [ANUVIBHA] is now a dedicated organisation under the patronage of Acharya Shri Mahapragya and the first vow it administers is AHIMSA.

Preksha Dhyan

Acharya Tulsi initiated the question on the disappearance of meditation in Jainism after the time of Bhagavan Mahavira and assigned the task to investigate this phenomenon to Acharya Shri Mahapragya ji.

Acharya Mahapragya ji spent over 20 years studying the Jain Agams/Scriptures and concluded a system of Meditation which is now popularly known as Preksha Dhyana.

Preksha Dhyan is a non-sectarian system of meditation which has spiritual as well as physical well being as its benefit.  It is complimentary to the Anuvrat movement in that its practice makes the observation of the vows a matter of routine without any special efforts.

For his efforts in this task, Acharya Tulsi gave him the epithet of Jain-Yoga-Punruddharak (Resurrector of Jain Yoga).

Acharya Mahapragya ji’s most recognised contribution to AHIMSA is in the seven year journey he undertook to quell the communal violence which erupted in India between Hindus and Muslims.  Ahimsa Yatra, as it was named, was launched on 5th December, 2001 at Sujangarh in Rajasthan. with the objective to highlight the spiritual aspect of non-violence and spread the message of peace and harmony across the country.

He traversed over 10,000 km on foot, covering 2400 villages, towns and cities and addressed many public meetings during the yatra.

In February, 2002, as if Ahimsa Yatra was destined to be the forerunner of its own mission, communal violence broke out in Gujarat and its ugly aftermath influenced most states of India.

Addressing a gathering at a village in Gujrat Acharya Shri said, “Only that country becomes strong whose citizens know the way to control their emotions. No country can emerge powerful without peaceful coexistence, and it is impossible for a country to ensure peaceful co-existence of its people without restraint and discipline. Some people are educated into communal and caste frenzy. The frenzied state of their minds gives rise to an anti-social environment. The government tries to resist it through its might, but it is the duty of the citizens to see that the hooligans do not convert it into communal frenzy. ………”

Touched and inspired by these efforts of Acharyashri, the President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam met him ignoring all protocol. Similarly, the deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, Congress President and Leader, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the supreme of RSS, Sh. K.C. Sudarshan travelled to Gujarat and met Acharyashree to discuss the adoption of Ahimsa as a national policy.  The famous Surat Spiritual Declaration of Unity of Minds was signed by 20 leaders from all different faiths of India and presented to Dr Kalam on 15th October, 2003.

Acharyashri moved from state to state, convinced multi-faith congregations to accept four principles in their lives:
1. I will believe in human unity.
2. I will not resort to quarrels and conflicts on the basis of caste and sectarian issues.
3. I will try to follow integrity in my personal life as far as I can.
4. I will try to remain free from drug addiction.

Having contributed in abundance to the elevation of universal Jain principles through his speeches, writings and founding inspirational organisations to teach and spread the word of Lord Mahavir, Acharyashri breathed his last on Sunday, 9th May, 2010 at Sardarshahar, Churu District, Rajasthan, India at 2:50 pm.

Prominent among the awards given to him during his lifetime were the Mother Teresa national award of peace (2005), Union Government’s communal harmony award (2004), Ambassador of Peace Award in London (2003), Lokmaharishi by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (2003) Indira Gandhi National Integration Award (2002) and the Ahimsa Award (2008) by the Institute of Jainology.

Institute of Jainology with all its Directors, Patrons, and well-wishers presents their respects to the great soul with sadhuvada and anumodanas.

The end of one era is always the beginning of another.  We welcome the appointment of Yuvacharya Mahashraman as the 11th Acharya of the Sangh and expect no less than all that has been delivered traditionally by the past Acharya.

Om Shanti! Shanti!! Shanti!!!

The Voyage Begins

“What goes around comes around”, “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”, “do unto others as you would have done unto you”.

These commonly used phrases often help us makes sense of the world and inform our moral imperative. But sometimes, it is hard for us to make sense of what we consider to be senseless suffering, tragedy and injustice.

Young Jains are hosting the 8th International Convention entitled “Voyage to Freedom: Crossing the Ocean” on Friday 27th to Sunday 29th August 2010.

As the ship of your life fills with water, we will show you how to empty it so you can safely cross the ocean. As your spritual home fills with the dust of karma, we will show you how to close the windows and doors that invite karma in. In your journey through the sands of time, your feet attract this sand, sticking to you for ages, delaying your journey – we will show how to ensure that less sticks and it sticks for less time.

You are invited to take time out and immerse yourself in the fun learning of Jain ideas and philosophy.

The weekend is also a real opportunity for you to meet like-minded people.

Voyage to Freedom, the 2010 Convention will deliver these insights in an easily accessible way so that you will be able to understand and apply them to enhance both your immediate practical life and your long-term need for spiritual fulfillment.

Using modern techniques, interactive workshops, music, story telling, and so many other media, Young Jains will share with you the Law of Karma as described in the timeless tradition, authenticated by scripture and saints, in a way which will impact you here and now, with contemporary relevance.

You will learn the framework of the Tattvas which will empower you to be genuinely forgiving, motivate your spiritual quest, and impact your immediate moral needs.

The event is being delivered by Jains just like you, who have spent the last year learning and imbibing the messages and truths of the Jain faith in their life. There will also be a panel of Jain leaders from a variety of backgrounds.

If you know Young Jains, then you know how much you will gain. If you do not, then come and see how we deliver eternal truth in a contemporary way. The method may be fresh, innovative and young, but it will add value to delegates of all ages and experiences, as many have testified.

Click here to get registration details

Cycles, Causality, Ecology and Evolution in Various Traditions and their Impact on Modern Biology

by: Dr Rudi Jansma

Recently a two volume theosophical study was released in which fundamental concepts concerning our views of nature are discussed on a deep level from the philosophical backgrounds of various cultures the world over, ancient and modern. In these books special reference has been made to Jainism (ca. 200 pages), with emphasis on karma doctrine and cosmology.  Jain doctrines are compared with a number of other important thought streams in the world, including modern biological science, native American thinking, theosophy and relevant aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism.

To develop our understanding of and approach to nature and life in general for the centuries to come, it is of utmost importance not only to rely on the findings of the cultures which currently seem to dominate the world, but to understand better the total heritage of human thought from ancient times to present.

We live in a time when humanity itself has become an ecological and evolutionary problem for the earth rather than a participating friend. At the same time we live in a unique epoch where many cultures of past and present come together, intermingle and fructify each other.

The concepts of cycles in nature, causality, hierarchical relationships, ecology and evolution are discussed from the view point of a select number of higher cultures which have determined our views and attitudes. This work is a selected presentation of important expressions concerning these concepts, their contrast with general occidental scientific thinking, and speculation about what may be the outcome of the blending of global thought.

The study has been carried out with full respect for all human thinking, and the values and achievements of the great minds of all traditions. It is the conviction of the author that, running through the garland of multicolored beads which make up the totality of human evolution is the thread called truth, and that, despite the differences in approach and on the outer level, truth is what everyone is yearning for.

(This book is a joint publication of Motilal Banarsidass Pvt Ltd (Delhi) and Prakrit Bharati Academy (Jaipur)

About the author:

Dr Rudi Jansma originally from The Netherlands and now lives in Rajasthan, India. He studied neo-tropical vegetation science and nature preservation. He worked for various environmental groups concerned with tropical ecosystems. He also studied philosophy and Sanskrit. He did intensive studies in Theosophy and Eastern and other non-occidental thought systems leading to a Ph D.  He hopes and expects that the knowledge and ethics of these and other cultures will significantly contribute to the global culture of the coming ages.

He was driven across London from Lambeth Palace to the Oshwal Centre at Potters Bar.
At the Centre he was welcomed by the OAUK President and Vice President, Tushar Shah and  Mr Ashok M Shah  and then introduced to the Trustees and Executive Committee Members of OAUK and Directors of Institute of Jainology.

His Grace the Archbishop Arriving at Oshwal Centre

His Grace in the Board Room being Introduced to the OAUK & IoJ Officers

His Grace with the OAUK President Mr Tushar Shah

He was then escorted round the Temple Gardens and then taken in to the temple. Arshna Sanghrajka explained the significance of the various features in the gardens and the temple and at the same time outlined the salient points  Jain philosophy.

A Walk Around the Temple Gardens

Understanding the Jain Concept of Ahimsa

Arshna Explaining the Finer Points of jain Philosophy

Interfaith leaders, community leaders and heads of Jain organisations had been invited to attend the reception. They had assembled in the Main Hall to welcome His Grace.

Arrival in the Main Hall for the Formal Proceedings

OAUK President, Mr Tushar Shah formally welcomed HIs Grace and members of his party, heads of other other faith and Jain organisations and the members of the Jain community. A short video prepared by the Young Oshwals sketching the history of the Oshwal community from 1500 AD onwards to present day was shown.

Dr Harshad Sanghrajka followed this with the history of Jains in the UK  and their demography.

Dr Mehool Sanghrajka made a brief presentation of the Jainpedia project.
OAUK appreciated the need for funds to manage a complex project like jainpedia and made an outright donation of £12,500 to the Institute. Navnat Vanik Association of the UK also took this opportunity to present the Institute with a donation of £2,500.

OAUK Treasurer Mr Chiman Shah Presenting £12,500 Cheque to IoJ Treasurer Mr Kanti Shah

Navnat President Presenting a Cheque for £2,500 to IoJ Treasurer

The Archbishop addressed the assembly and spoke well about Jainism and its tenets. He highlighted some of the Christian tenets with similar objectives and gave an example from Christianity related to aparigraha.

Mr Chiman Shah Garlanding His Grace

Idol of Lord Mahavira Presented by Mr Tushar Shah

OAUK presented His Grace with a small statue of Bhagwan Mahavir and requested him to keep it in his sight to remind of his visit. The Institute presented His Grace with two sets of Jain literature detailing philosophy, history and architecture.

Institute's Directors Mr Dilip shah & Mr Mahesh Gosrani Presenting the first Jain Literature Pack

Mr Kanti Shah Presenting the Second Pack of Jain Literature

The guests were led to the lower assembly hall for refreshments which were freshly made by the Oshwal ladies.
After meet, greet and a lot of group photographs, the Archbishop and his party departed at 13:20.

With Guests

He and other interfaith representatives were all very pleased with the event and the hospitality. A new relationship has been established which promises to cement it further with more such visits in the future.