JVB London - Visit on 12th July 2007 at Jain Temple in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, England

The Face Which Radiates Non-Violence And Peace

One lady remarked before leaving the temple, “I was searching for a face which radiates non-violence and peace. What would this person look like?” She added by saying to Samani Prasanna Pragya and Samani Vishad Pragya, “Seeing you, I feel my research has come to an end. Your faces are full of peace and calmness.“

This event took place on 12th July 2007 at Jain Temple in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, England. This temple is not only an item of architectural beauty for non-Jains but is slowly becoming a place of interfaith dialogue.

Ms Bharatiben Tailor, a Development Officer with National Ecumenical Agency in Further Education organised a visit to this temple. The members of the group (about 30) included probation officers, chaplains, university lecturers and students who had come from as far away as Bristol and Cardiff.

On a lovely summer afternoon against the backdrop of the Shikarbahndi Deraser (Temple) and its landscape gardens, Mr Dinesh Shah introduced Samani Prasanna Pragya and Samani Vishad Pragya to the visitors. He explained to them about the Saman Order and about the JVB London Centre as well as centres in USA.

As has happened in the past, the sheer presence of the Samaniji immediately sparks a flurry of questions about their dress, training, daily life, etc. After a question and answer session lasting about thirty minutes, the party were then led towards the temple. Mr Dinesh Shah explained to them about the twenty-four Jain Tirthankars and showed them how to identify the image of each Tirthankar, which have been placed on the perimeter of the main temple. The visitors were then explained about the various aspects of the inside of the temple including the three main images placed in the garbhagruha (Sacred throne –room). Mr Dinesh Shah also talked about the daily ceremonies performed by the resident priest and type of prayers a worshipper may indulge into.

By this time most of the visitors had either comfortably sat on the marble floor of the temple or had taken the aid of a chair! Samani Prasanna Pragya elaborated on many aspects of Jain philosophy from the doctrine of many-sidedness (anekantvada) to Preksha Meditation. They were very much impressed to hear that even a householder can free his or her soul (Atman) and achieve liberation by practising small vows (Anuvrat). They were explained about the theory of karma including the means of shedding karmas. Samaniji also mentioned about the festivals of Paryushan Mahaparva and Samvatsari, in which complete forgiveness is practised.

On leaving the main temple, Samani Prasanna Pragya explained about Samavasaran (Column of Good Knowledge).

All in all, the event was a great success. A new weapon of non-violence has been discovered!