-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- JAINNET GAZETTE Jain News and Events -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Issue # 14 VeerChand Bothra April 15, 2004 JainNet.com -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- --== In This Issue ==-- 1) Editorial 2) News 3) Forthcoming Events 4) Announcements & Appeals 5) Panchang 6) Featured JainList Posts 7) New JainList Members 8) Featured Resource 9) Reader's Talk 10) From Jain Scriptures <<<< EDITORIAL >>>> Vandan to Lord Mahaveer. Pranam. Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak (Jayanti) and Chaitra Navpadji Oli are past us. Kalpasutra indicates that Navpad Olis are Saswati (permanent), meaning they exist in all time cycles. This issue of JainNet Gazette has come after a gap of two months from the last issue. Going ahead, I hope to adhere to the fortnightly schedule of publication. A reader has suggested to make available the Gazette in the HTML format. The idea makes sense and is worth considering. Benefits of HTML format include better readability as the content can now be formatted and structured. It makes it easier to distinguish the various sections, headlines, titles etc. Readers can quickly scan the newsletter as well as jump directly to the section of interest to them instead of scrolling down. HTML formatting if done properly can increase the readability and usability of the Gazette. On the downside, making the newsletter in HTML could increase its file size. Many users do not prefer getting large emails in their Inbox. But the increase in newsletter size may not be significantly large afterall. I would like to know the preferences of users on this matter. Please write back to me with your thoughts. I have also created a poll on JainList asking users what is the preferred format for the newsletter: HTML or Text. Jai Jinendra. VeerChand Bothra Founder, Editor, Moderator JainNet, JainList, JainNet Gazette <<<< NEWS >>>> +++++ Jains declared as minority in Maharashtra +++++ Source: Mid-day http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/16 The state Cabinet decided to declare the community as a religious minority on a proposal moved by Civil Supplies Minister Sureshdada Jain on Wednesday. +++++ Stolen Lord Mahaveer idol found in Bhilai +++++ Sanjeev Jain An ancient stolen idol of Bhagwan Mahaveer was recovered by local police in Bhilai (Chhattisgarh). It is about 700-1000 years old and made of Ashth Dhatu. It was illegaly sourced from Jamshedpur for Rs. 5 lacs while its international rate is approcimately Rs. 3 crores. +++++ Court clears Jain Temple at Badrinath +++++ Source: Deccan Herald http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/17 The Uttaranchal district court has given a green signal for the construction of a Jain temple close to the Badrinath shrine, an issue of discord between Hindu and Jain communities. Dismissing a petition filed by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, District Judge, upheld a lower court order that had given clearance for the construction of a Shwetambar Jain temple at Devadarshini in Badrinath area of Chamoli district. In his decision, the judge said there was no law in the country that can prevent construction of a temple, religious shrine or dharamshala at Badrinath. +++++ MAHAPRAGYAPEX 2004 Exhibition held at Indore +++++ Sudhir Jain On the occasion of Nirwan bi-centenary of Terapanth Acharya Shri Bhikashu, First All India Level Stamp Exhibition on Jainism theme MAHAPRAGYAPEX-2004 was organized at Indore on 29th & 30th March 2004 under the auspicious presence and guidance of Pujya Acharya Mahapragyaji. A special cover was issued on 29th March 2004 and Indian Postal Department provided a special cancellation on it. Eminent Philatelist Dr. Ravindra Pahalwan, Jury member declared following awards: Best Entry of the Exhibition- Sudhir Jain (Satna, M.P.) Gold Medal- Sudhir Jain (Satna), Gaurav Dalal (Ahmedabad) Silver Medal- Dr. Pradeep Jain (Balod, Chhattisgarh) +++++ Jain Temple to get facelift in Tamil Nadu +++++ AV Jain The state government has drawn up a master plan to give a facelift to the 8th century Jain temple at Thiruparuthikunram, 7 km from Kancheepuram, and turn it into a tourist destination of high standards. The execution of the plan will be over in six months. The government has allotted Rs 27 lakh for the renovation. <<<< FORTHCOMING EVENTS >>>> +++++ Pratishta Mahotsav in Visakhapatnam, AP +++++ VimalKumar Jain Under the auspicious presence and guidance of Muni Shree SubodyaSagarji and SanyamSagarji, Pratishta of SiddhaChakra Mandir will be held in the Sambhavnath Jain Mandir of Visakhapatnam on April 26th, 2004. Panchahnika Mahotsav will be between 23rd April - 27th April. Vidhikarak: Shree Manoj Haran +++++ 6th Biennial YJA Convention at San Francisco +++++ Samir Ajmera & Rina Shah The 6th Biennial Young Jains of America (YJA) convention will be held in San Francisco from July 1 - 4, 2004. The theme of this convetions is to take one step further in the direction of incorporating the philosophical tenets of Jainism into our everyday lives. Registrations for the convention have begun. For more information visit: http//www.yja.org/convention/ <<<< ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPEALS >>>> +++++ New Website on Vegan Life in India +++++ Manish Jain http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/18 Vegan (pronounced as V+Gun) means vegetarians who also refrain from using animal and milk products, Honey, White Sugar (as sugarcane juice is bleached with Bonechar), food items containing gelatin, leather articles, silk fabrics, Soaps, Toothpaste, Woolen garments, woolen fabrics etc. for their livelihood. The term Vegan was coined by Donald Watson in 1944. +++++ VCD on Shatrunjay Tirth +++++ Hina Shah http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/19 Bapalal Mansukhlal Shah Trust has produced a VCD on Shatrunjay Tirth. Its a 70 minutes transcendental journey with music, stavans and songs. Free clips of the movie are available on the site. Price: Rs. 300 (India) and Rs. 600 (Other Countries) +++++ Navkar Mantra Video +++++ Manish Jain http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/20 Video file of Navakra Mahamantra, sung by Anuradha Porwal, can be downloaded from the site. Its in MPEG format and is 9.30 MB in size. +++++ Jain Screensavers +++++ Nitin Parshwanath http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/21 Download screensavers related to Jainism from this site. Includes Lakkundi screensaver which gives darshan of the Jain temples and idols at the tirth. +++++ Fats used in Colgate-Palmolive products +++++ Manish Modi http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/22 Letter from "Colgate-Palmolive Consumer Affairs" providing information regarding animal fats used in Colgate-Palmolive products sold in the United States. +++++ M.A. course in Jainism from Ladnun +++++ Kalpesh Gala Admissions are going on for M.A. in 'Jainism and comparative study' from Ladnun University, Rajasthan. Its a 2 years correspondance course having 4 papers in each year. Fees Rs. 2350 for one year. Need to complete 2 assignments which are sent by post. Exam in July/August in a center near your city. M.A. is only for graduates. Non-graduates can opt for 3 years correspondance B.A. course. <<<< PANCHANG >>>> Year : Veer Samvat 2530 / Vikram Samvat 2061 Date : April 15th - April 30th Month: Vaisakh Cycle: Vadi - Sudi Day: Tithi (Description) 15: 11 16: 12 17: 13 (Anantnathji Janma) 18: 14 (Anantnathji Diksha+Keval, Kunthunathji Janma) 19: Amavas 20: 1 21: 2 22: 3 (Akshay Tritya Parna) 23: 4 (Abhinandanswamiji Chyavan) 24: 5 25: 6 26: 6 27: 7 (Dharmanathji Chyavan) 28: 8 (Abhinandanswamiji Moksha) 29: 9 (Sumatinathji Janma+Diksha) 30: 10 (Mahaveerswamiji Keval) <<<< FEATURED JAINLIST POSTS >>>> From: Sreepalan VC Subject: Dhyaan - meditation Link: http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/23 From: Naresh Shah Subject: Jainism and Brahminism Link: http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/24 From: Jyoti Kothari Subject: Veg food Link: http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/25 From: Piyush Doshi Subject: Naan & Roomali Roti Link: http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/26 <<<< NEW JAINLIST MEMBERS >>>> JainList's total strength of members is now 1219. All the members have voluntarily subscribed to the list. New members are requested to send their name, age and place so that it can be published in this Gazette. <<<< FEATURED RESOURCE >>>> Jainism in Philately http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/28 This site by Shri Sudhir Jain of Satna (M.P.) is a very fine resource on Jainism in philately. It has information on Stamps, Special Covers & Special Cancellations that have been issued on Jainism. Mr. Jain won the Gold Medal at MAHAPRAGYAPEX-2004, the first all India level Stamp Exhibition on Jainism. <<<< READER'S TALK >>>> +++++ Dr. C. Devakumar +++++ Pilgrimage to Palitana: A learning experience It is being said that there is no other religion or sect in Videha kshetra and the multiplicity of religious practices in this planet are due to the effect of Hunda avasarpini. I entertain no sectarian differences as much as I can and paid darshan to temples of other sect also. In fact I made a very humble contribution in Hastagiri which is coming up in a wonderful manner. Our not so sweet experience at Ahmedabad with another sect shocked us. As Jains, we need to look at the bitterness as a ground reality and must overcome by the weapons of anekant and Ahimsa. Our claim of universal religion becomes hollow and shallow with this arbitrary bitterness. We needed one Hindu (Vinoba Bhave) to come together and present Samana Suttam to the world. Another Hindu (who else, Mahatma Gandhi) demonstrated the potential of Ahimsa though we keep claiming exclusivity to Ahimsa. Of course, in another board I read the contributions of Brahmins to the sustenance of this religion. Notable among them are Indrabhuti Gautam Ganadhar and Sruta Kevali Bhadra Bahu. Jain religion is a universal religion applicable to all living beings including human beings. We Jains need to put our tenets to practice by us by sparing some time from rituals and building new temples. +++++ Joël Donnet +++++ Top-quality feature story on Jainism I am the Features Editor of Paris-based Gamma International photo agency. We are willing to realize a top-quality feature story on Jainism, which would culminate with the Mahamasthakabhisheka in Shravana Belgola in 2005. We would like to get some help and guidance in order to realize several reportages in India in anticipation of this event. +++++ Upshrenik Jain +++++ Information about Jainism in Greece I would highly appreciate if you can provide me address, phone numbers, E-mail address, fax numbers of institutions, research centers, museums, university, archeological departments, from where we can get information on Jainism in Greece. For information on Jainism in Greece, read this article: http://www.jainnet.com/cgi-bin/jgredir.cgi/27 +++++ Dilip Doshi +++++ To be a doctor without dissection I shall be greatful if anyone knows if there is any university or college in USA where student does not need to involve in 'dissection' of live or dead body of creature throughout UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE study in medical field. Many bright students from Jain family do not go to medical field because of 'dissection' during study. How one can be a doctor without performing 'dissection'? +++++ Gerard Bane +++++ Purchasing a Murti Does anyone know where I might purchase a murti (statue) of Mahavira and Parsvanatha for my home? I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who can assist me. I am located in south-east Kent UK. +++++ Jyoti Kothari +++++ Legal Jain Documents I am collecting legal & administrative documents of Jain society. It may cover disputes of pilgrimages, Bal deeksha, minority status to Jains in India or in a province of India, movements against slaughter houses or any topic referring to jeevadaya, cases of temples etc. +++++ Luiz +++++ Sthanakwasi Ashram Does anyone have the address of a Jain Swetambar Sthanakwasi Ashram? If possible I would like send a letter to the Sthanakwasi monks. +++++ Vikram Kamdar +++++ Sahajatma Swarup Param Guru I am looking for downloadable audio of "Sahajatma Swarup Param Guru" +++++ Naresh Tated +++++ Reconstruction of Jiravala Tirth Recently I visited the Jiravala Tirth in Rajasthan and saw that the complete Temple was demolished. There was flat land at the place of this great tirth of Bhagwan Jiravala Parshvanath. Murties of Parsvanath were placed nearby. I heard that there is a plan to construct a new temple. This was really strange for me. I did heard renovation of tirths but this was for first time that I came across demolition of such an ancient tirth. With my small knowledge about religion I am not sure weather what’s done is right or not, but for sure I can understand that loosing such old heritage will not be in favor of anyone. I would like to know everyone’s opinion about this and if anyone knows more about it. <<<< FROM JAIN SCRIPTURES >>>> ~~~ Presented by ~~~ Manish Modi "Shamasamveganirvedaanukampaastikyalakshanaiha" "Lakshanaihapanchabhihasamyak, samyaktvamupalakshyate" Yogshaastra 02:15 - Hemchandracharya Sham (tranquilness), Samveg (spiritual craving), Nirveda (distaste in the temporal world), Anukampa (compassion), Aastikya (unwavering faith); these five qualites signify Samyaktva. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- For News, Comments, Queries, Submissions, Suggestions Contact: VeerChand Bothra Website: http://www.jainnet.com/gazette/ -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-