-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- JAINNET GAZETTE Jain News and Events -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Issue # 12 Veer Bothra February 22, 2003 JainNet.com -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- --== In This Issue ==-- 1) Editorial 2) News & Events 3) Announcements & Appeals 4) Weekly Panchang 5) JainList Post-of-the-Week 6) New JainList Members 7) Reader's Talk 8) From Jain Scriptures <<<< EDITORIAL >>>> Vandan to Lord Mahaveer. Pranam. I have been thinking of writing on the topic of this editorial for a long time. The reason behind my keenness to do so was its application in the day-to-day working of JainList. I shall today share a few thoughts which if followed can improve the quality of messages on JainList and thus increase its productivity. 1. No topics other than those related to Jainism should be discussed. Even then, subjects such as whether Jains are ideal citizens, businessmen or whom should Jains support in the Iraq war do not belong to JainList. Please keep in mind the following purpose - "We are here to learn more about Jainism". If a subject genuinely supports that purpose its welcome otherwise not. 2. Clippings of previous messages, which one is replying to, should not be part of the new post. Unless very necessary, do not include the complete old message below one's own post. It is of no consequence to do so as everybody has already received and read that message. If required some brief text of the old message can be appended to refresh memory of those reading. Also if one is replying point-wise with respect to the old message than it is advisable to quote the text of a specific point just before one's own reply. 3. The subject field of an email message helps the reader to identify message content. In order to maintain continuity do not change the well-defined subject field of a discussion thread. If there is a new offshoot thread from an existing one then the person initiating that thread should change the subject field of that message appropriately. 4. Please take care to test if one's message is really contributing to the discussion and adding something. For example if you agree with a person or like his/her message and want to appreciate it by sending a mail saying "I agree with you" or "Well said" than its better to directly send that message to the sender and not the entire list. The "from" address field of a message has the sender's email address. 5. Its a form of Anumodna if we appreciate something which is in line with Lord Mahaveer's teaching. A single message of appreciation or agreement can be very encouraging for the person who took the time and efforts. Conversely its important to disagree with someone who is irresponsible and destructive. 6. With due respect to personal opinions and beliefs, please do not state your views as facts! Your views are your views while facts are those that are propounded by Agams, religious texts and our Saints. It is strongly recommended that before stating one's opinion one clarifies that its his/her own interpretation and/or opinion. It is better to admit one's limited knowledge of Jainism than misguide hundreds of other impressionable minds. I believe none of us wants to add to the backlog of one's Gyanavarniya (knowledge-obscuring) karma. 7. For the esteemed knowledgeable members and those contributing, its a request to add a simple English translation of tough Jain/Indian terms in brackets next to the original word. E.g. Gyanavarniya (knowledge-obscuring) karma. Many of us are not conversant with Hindi, let alone context sensitive Sanskrit or Prakrit. 8. If one is pointing to a website in a message, it should contain enough matter to justify the message where the external link/website serves as reference for further reading. 9. Please do not hesitate to place a query however insignificant it may seem. Its a questioning mind which learns. 10. Please do not lodge personal criticism and depict uncivilized behavior. We are discussing issues and all discussion should be issue based and not biased towards the person, community, sect or race. We are having a comparatively clean and well-maintained list with high discussion quality. The above-mentioned points are to increase its productivity and usefulness. Already the world's largest discussion list on Jainism, let us all strive to make this non-commercial and collective effort more useful to its members. As always its your feedback and participation that makes it a success. Jai Jinendra. VeerChand Bothra Founder, Editor, Moderator JainNet, JainList, JainNet Gazette <<<< NEWS & EVENTS >>>> +++++ Nakoda temple insured for Rs. 44 Crores +++++ Source: Hindustan Times - 26th December, 2003 Keeping in mind the attack on Akshardham temple at Gandhi Nagar recently, the Trust managing the affairs of Shri Nakoda Parshwanathji temple, about 120 Km. from Jodhpur in Rajasthan has been insured for a sum of Rs. 44.05 crores by Oriental Insurance Company against militant attacks or terrorist activities, riots, theft, dacoity of temple premises, etc. The pilgrims visiting the temple have also been insured for Rs. 4 crores by a special insurance policy that the Insurance Company has designed for the temple management. +++++ Convention of Jain Educational Organisations +++++ Dr. Premchand Gada All India convention of Jain Educational Organisations will be held at Jalgaon, Maharashtra on the 1st and 2nd of March, 2003. It is being organized by the Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana. +++++ Rs. 2 Crores for Jainology Institute at London +++++ Source: Ahimsa Times An amount of Rs. 2 crores was sanctioned for the Institute of Jainology situated at London for its role in publicising and propagating Jain religion across the world by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee out of the funds allotted for 2600th Birth Centenary of Bhagwan Mahaveer. A 21-member delegation of Jain community from India and abroad met the PM to apprise him about the Institute. <<<< ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPEALS >>>> +++++ Search at www.jainworld.com +++++ Dr. Premchand Gada Now www.jainworld.com has google search in its site. This will make it very easy for you to search at JainWorld. Please, take advantage of it. +++++ Volunteers for indexing of old Jain scriptures +++++ Prof. C. Devakumar An organisation in Bihar needs Kannada Jain volunteers to undertake indexing of old Jain scriptures stored in the library. The entire expenses of such noble men and women during their stay will be taken care of. Interested persons may contact Professor C. Devakumar. +++++ Acharya Mahapragya's article on Jainism +++++ Arham Jain http://www.terapanthonline.com/jainism/index.php Article about Jainism written by Jain Acharya Mahapragya on "Jain religion as a world religion". <<<< WEEKLY PANCHANG >>>> Year : Veer Samvat 2529 / Vikram Samvat 2059 Week : February 23rd - March 1st Month: Falgun Cycle: Vadi Day: Tithi (Description) 23: 7 (Bhagwan Chandraprabh KevalGyan Kalyanak) 24: 8 25: 9 (Bhagwan Suvidhinath Chyavan) 26: 10 27: 11 (Bhagwan Rishabhdev Keval) 28: 12-13 (Bhagwan Munisuvrat Keval, Shreyans Janma/Diksha) 01: 14 (Bhagwan Vasupujya Janma) <<<< JAINLIST POST-OF-THE-WEEK >>>> ~~~ From ~~~ "Hasmukh Shah" ~~~ Subject ~~~ Syaadvaad ~~~ Link ~~~ http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/4 <<<< NEW JAINLIST MEMBERS >>>> 18 new members have joined JainList in the last week. I request all the new members to send their name, age and city so that it can be published in this Gazette. <<<< READER'S TALK >>>> +++++ Dilip Doshi +++++ Gift After Life Organ donation is a compassionate way to be 'useful' to needy one after the life. It is a nobel concept, matches with fundamental of Jainism. Many lives can be saved by such donation. I strongly suggest every one to register ownself as a donor of organs in case of unwanted eventuality. Please shed a light on this matter if any one knows how to register as an Organ Donor. If some one has desire to donate organs ONLY to Jains, is there any organization to contact? +++++ Ankur +++++ Theft of Jain idols I would like to bring out to the notice of the members that a spate of robberies have taken place in and around Delhi. Idols particularly those made of brass and copper have been stolen. This started with the murder in the temple of Pritampura and theft of some idols. In the last one month numerous thefts have taken place. Major one being the theft of 7 idols at Kasan temple. These idols were dug up from beneath the ground. We must make an attempt to strengthen the security in and around our temples. +++++ Ankush +++++ Bonsai Kittens http://www.bonsaikitten.com I was totally shocked to hear about this. Isnt there anything that we can do to put a stop to this senseless torture? +++++ Ameer Sanghvi +++++ Keeping discussion groups clean EDITOR'S NOTE: "This was posted by Ameerji in response to an off-topic message in another group. JainList is kept clean of these kind of messages and the discussion quality is maintained high since its moderated." I thought that these discussion groups were ment to discuss and share topics on religion, cultures and individual viewpoints. I was totally unaware that these great sources can be utilized for cheap socializing purposes. There are millions of sources and ways to fulfill personal interest and fantasies. If these discussion groups will also be currupted and misused, then few months down the road, everyone will receive 100s of Junk Mails every day and it will be hard to find any informative one. Please be considerate of other's time, needs, limited space in their mail boxes and respect their needs of joining these groups (some people pay @ cyber cafe, but not to check junk mails). Instead of reaching to conclusion of any particular problem/discussion, numerous issues (unnecessary and avoidable) are oftenly introduced. Do bring and follow the respect and attiquates anywhere you go. Or else, home is the best place to be. Let's not dump junk in to other's mail boxes and keep our discussion groups clean. <<<< FROM JAIN SCRIPTURES >>>> ~~~ Presented by ~~~ Manish Modi asuheNa rAyarahio vayAirAyeNa jo hu sanjutto so ih bhaNiya sarAo mukko doNham pi khalu iyaro NAYACHAKKO* - Gatha 331 asuheNa - from Ashubh rAyarahio - unattached vayAirAyeNa - Vrat, (ascetic pracitices) sanjutto - attached to bhaNiya - know sarAo - Saraag Shraman mukko - free of doNham - both (Ashubh & Shubh) khalu - truly iyaro - Vitraagi The ascetic who is not attracted to Ashubh activities, and attached to Shubh activities like ascetic practices such as Vrat, etc. may be known as the Saraag Shraman. He who is free of both Ashubh and Shubh attachments is truly Vitraagi. *Shri Mailla Dhaval was an 11th century Jain monk who composed the NAYACHAKKO in Shaurseni Prakrit, in the footsteps of Acharyas Kund Kund and Nemichandra Siddhantidev. NAYACHAKKO is not just a Nyay Granth, but an authoritative exposition covering almost all aspects of Jainism in a comprehensive manner. The author has incorporated materials from Acharya Kund Kund and the NAYACHAKKO is also known as DRAVYA SWABHAV PRAKASHAK NAYACHAKRA. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- For News, Comments, Queries, Submissions, Suggestions Contact: VeerChand Bothra Website: http://www.jainnet.com/gazette/ -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-