Ahimsa Day At the House of Commons
Portcullis House, LONDON
Monday 8th October 2007
In the presence of respected Jain Samanijis, the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears, Members of the House and guests, the Institute of Jainology celebrated the fifth annual Ahimsa Day at the House of Commons. The event this year became much more significant as two months earlier, the United Nations had declared 2nd October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Ahimsa Day giving the day a formal recognition.
Pujya Samniji Reciting the Prayers
The event began with a recitation of the most important Jain prayer, the Namokar Mantra. Sung in the original Prakrit with English translations by the Samanijis themselves, this was an auspicious, calming way to commence the evening.
Chief Guest Rt Hon Ms Hazel Blears with the two Co-Hosts
However, before any of the presentations or speeches began, the Institute of Jainology and guests paid their respects to the recently departed, Dr. L. M. Singhvi – erstwhile Indian High Commissioner, and an active participant in the Institute’s work.
Mr. Jaysukh Mehta, a Trustee of the Institute and co-ordinator of the programme then formally welcomed all the guests on behalf of the Chairman Mr R P Chandaria. He reiterated how the virtue of Ahimsa had been cast by an eminent Jain, Shrimad Rajchandra on Mahatma Gandhi’s mind. He then outlined the Institute’s recent activities, especially the strides they are making in not only preserving Jainism (through cataloguing, for example), but also sharing this knowledge through educational programmes. Click here for the full text of his address
The Chairman of the Labour Parliamentary Friends of India, Mr. Stephen Pound, a personality well-known to many of the guests, next welcomed everyone as one of the evening’s three hosts. Mr. Pound revealed that he had attended an Ahimsa Day celebration in New York earlier that same week; he noted how remarkable it was that the message of Ahimsa was being commemorated in these metropolitan cities.
The audience then heard from their second host, Lord Navnit Dholakia, a Liberal Democrat politician. He welcomed not only members of the Jain faith, but encouraged followers of all religions to get involved in the House of Lords. The third co-host and the Chairman of Conservative Friends of India, Mr. Nigel Evans was not able to be present, but sent his best wishes.
The Ahimsa awards were presented to His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Mr. Nelson Mandela. The representative of His Holiness for Northern Europe, Poland and the Baltic Countries, Mr. Tashi kindly delivered His Holiness’ message on this Ahimsa Day. His Holiness reiterated the need for peace in Tibet and went on to emphasise how despite all the differences between humans, ultimately we are all the same and it is this which must be focused on. Click here for the full text of His Holiness’s message
Miss Priya Kothari then read the goodwill message from the British Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown. The Prime Minister signified the importance of Ahimsa Day, and highlighted how such interfaith initiatives follow in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi. Click here to see the full text of the Prime Minister’s Letter
This was followed by the next message from the head of the Terapanth order of Jains in India, Pujya Acharyashri Mahapragyaji. It was read very effectively by Miss Priya Kothari; the message stressed how a true lasting peace is not only about the abolition of war, but an adoption of non-violence in our individual lives. Click here for the full text Acharya Mahapragyaji’s message
The Chief Guest was then invited to the stage and Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears shared her thoughts on the event. She highlighted her commitment to fostering inter-community bonds in her remit as Secretary of State for Communities and the Local Government and applauded the work the Institute of Jainology is doing. It is her second year attending the Ahimsa Day celebrations, and she asked , in a lighter vein, if she would be invited back next year.
The audience then heard about the first recipient of the award, His Holiness Dalai Lama. His Holiness, as leader of Tibet, has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. The Chief Guest then presented this award to His Holiness, which was received by Mr. Tashi on his behalf.
The reasoning behind the second recipient of the Ahimsa award, Mr. Nelson Mandela was then explained. The Institute showed that they were aware of Mr. Mandela’s involvement in resistance to the apartheid rule, but it was the subsequent tolerance, compassion and forgiveness that he displayed in later years which the Trustees felt merited the award. Mr. Ratilal Chandaria, the Chairman of the Institute of Jainology presented the award which was accepted, on behalf or Mr. Mandela, by Dr. Harshad Sanghrajka, the Honorary Secretary of the Institute.
Mr Simon Hughes MP , the President of the Liberal Democrats; made an important point that we are not trying to create a unified religion, and that it is possible to respect the differences as well as the similarities.
He was then followed by another Parliamentarian, Rt Hon. Tony McNulty MP, Minister of State at the Home Office. He made an interesting point about how Mr. Mandela won over many of his countrymen by donning the national Rugby shirt during an important match.
Representatives of various faiths then spoke as to what the concept of ahimsa signifies in their faith. Dr. Hassan Akberali of the Dawoodi Bohra community delivered the message of Dr. Idris Zainuddin, the President and Representative of His Holiness. Dr. Akberali highlighted a number of commonalities between the faiths such as a respect for nature. Click here for full text of Dr Zainnudin’s address. Click here for the full text of his address
Next, Mr. Milan Samani from the Chinmaya Mission, spoke powerfully on how creating an environment of goodwill begins from self-reflection. Click here for the full text of his address
Mr. Paurushasp Jila, from the Zoroastrian faith, highlighted again how Mahatma Gandhi was a living example of interfaith, having both Zoroastrian and Jain advisors.
Recent graduate, Miss Heta Shah then shared a young Jain’s perspective of ahimsa. She emphasised that it was important that we take the responsibility of setting a good example for the younger generations. Click here for the full text of his address
The formal portion of the evening ended with a vote of thanks presented by Miss Jyoti Mehta. The event was compèred very professionally by Miss Pooja Jain. It was a successful, interfaith event for all involved as it celebrated how Ahimsa is practiced in many different communities. Click here for the full text of her address.