The inclusiveness of Jain philosophy was again practically demonstrated when the London Samanijis visited St Albans Cathedral on 22nd July 2006. St Albans is a commuter market town north of London in the county of Hertfordshire.
St. Albans cathedral
St Alban was England's first martyr around AD 250. Alban was a prominent citizen in Roman town of Verulamium, which was the third largest city in Roman Britain. Alban was condemned to death for sheltering and helping to escape a Christian fugitive from persecution. Christianity was a proscribed religion in the Roman Empire at the time. His tomb is the heart of St Albans Cathedral and for 1750 years Christians have come as pilgrims and worshippers because they find here a special sense of being close to God and saints. (The archaeological remains and Roman Verulamium Museum are also other attractions of St Albans town).
Samanijis (l and r) with the Chaplain of St Albans Cathedral
The Samanijis met the chaplain of the cathedral whose husband was born in Simla, India! They briefed the chaplain about Jain religion including vegetarianism and their order of renunciation. They also informed the chaplain about the London JVB Centre and its activities and invited her to visit the centre. Samani Pratibha Pragyaji and Samani Punya Pragyaji then prayed in the cathedral for world peace and in particular for the speedy resolution of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Both the Samanijis were highly impressed with the beauty as well as the spiritual ambience of the cathedral.
Samanijis praying in St. Albans Cathedral Samanijis praying in St. Albans Cathedral Dr. Jagat Ram Bhattacharyya and hiswife Mrs. Lopa Mudra were also with the Samanijis. Dr. Bhattacharyyaji from the Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun is in London to teach Prakrit language. These courses are organised jointly by the Institute of Jainology and JVB London.
Dr. Bhattacharyya (l) and Mrs. Lopa Mudra Dr. Bhattacharyya (r) being introduced to the Chaplain of St Albans Cathedral (l) by Samani Pratibha Pragyaji with Samani Punya Pragyaji (2.l) and Dinesh Z. Shah (2.r), the author
Dinesh Z. Shah
