The Times of India
Apr 5, 2012, 12.00AM IST
Respect for all living beings is non-violence. Have compassion towards all living beings. Hatred leads to destruction. Just as I dislike pain, so also all other beings dislike pain. A wise person does not kill, nor cause others to kill, nor consent to the killings by others.
Non-violence is the highest religion.
Every soul is in itself absolutely omniscient and blissful. Bliss does not come from outside. All souls are alike and potentially divine. None is superior or inferior.
Anekantvada, Apari-graha, Ahimsa - be aware that there are many views and truths - a one-sided viewpoint cannot prevail; be non-possessive - that is, overcome the craving to acquire and possess more and more; follow the path of non-violence by practising compassion and not causing hurt.
Thus Spake Mahavira
Mahavir Jayanti, with a spirit of unity
TNN | Apr 5, 2012, 03.52AM IST, BANGALORE:
Celebrations are a part of life, where people get together, lifetime bonds are made and an atmosphere of love and happiness prevails. More so, if it is Mahavir Jayanti.
Jains across the city observed this auspicious day at Freedom Park on Wednesday with a grand celebration of the 2611th year of Lord Mahavir.
Jain Yuva Sanghatan has been organizing this function for 24 years. This year too, 25,000 to 30,000 Jains attended the ceremony. B Rajesh Bantia, chairman, Jain Yuya Sanghatan Celebration Community, said, "The festival's significance is to promote and propagate Lord Mahavir's teachings. The principles of Ahimsa, non-violence and equality for all are propagated."
The festival has on display 20-25 tableaux depicting Lord Mahavir's teachings. The procession started from Town Hall at 8am and ended at Freedom Park. Women were dressed in colourful and vibrant sarees. A religious discourse by gurujis, sadhus and sadhvis went on till afternoon.
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated collectively by all Jain sects.
Bantia said: "This festival used to be celebrated by individuals or those staying in the same area. We decided to put an end to that and celebrate together now. Next year will be the 25th year of our celebration and we plan to make it a three-day event."
-Mandrita Bose
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Jains celebrate with procession, prayers & Prasad
Barkha Mathur, TNN | Apr 5, 2012, 05.34AM IST
NAGPUR: It's a fine congregation of faith, prosperity and community bonding at Chitnavis Park every year on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. City's Jain community gathers to meet, pray and eat. A rough estimate puts the number of people who gather here at 10,000. The food spread comprises of at least fifty-six of the best dishes.
These festivities are a culmination of a weeklong programme that is organized by the various organisational bodies of the Jain community.
The city has some 29 Jain temples where people from all four sects worship. For the Mahavir Jayanti celebrations, which the community calls Janam Kalyanak Mahotsav, all the four sects come together under the umbrella of Jain Seva Mandal.
An impressive procession, which winds its way around the bigger Jain temples in the city, announces the beginning of the celebrations. This event is held four days ahead of the main day. On Mahavir Jayanti a discourse by saints, abhishek of the lord followed by distribution of mahaprasad is organized at Chitnavis Park in Mahal.
Rohit Shah, president of the Jain Seva Mandal says that the aim is to spread the message of ahimsa and peace given by the Jain teertankars to mankind. "On this day we take the idol of Mahavir Bhagwan from the Digambar Jain temple in Itwari to Chitnavis Park in a procession led by a chariot which carries the idol. This year the procession will be graced by the presence of Aryika Adarshmati Mataji. At the venue we have discourses by our saints, prayers are offered and the most significant ritual, abhishek of the lord is performed."
The Jain community comprises of Marwaris, Gujaratis, Maharashtrians and people from states of MP and UP all united by faith. Thus Mahavir Jayanti celebrations besides having religious connotations also have a social angle to it. Shah adds, "Our programme includes felicitation and disbursement of scholarship to bright students. We invite imminent persons of the city and also organize medical camps."
There are around 18,000 Jain households in the city. Most make it a point to be present for these celebrations. The Swami Vatsalya or the sumptuous feast that follows the rituals is cooked to cater to this large number of devotees. The food is specific to Jains who observe rigorous dietary restrictions. It is prepared by the acharyas specially appointed for this occasion.
Explaining the significance of the abhishek on this occasion, Manju Jain, who has studied the Jain scriptures to utilize them for holistic purposes says, "This ritual is symbolic of washing away all the impurities of mind and thought. When we perform it on the lord, it amounts to our impurities being washed away. Besides the abhishek which is done by offering a steady flow of water, there is also Shanti Dhaara where drop by drop water is poured on the idol. This water is distributed among all the devotees by the priest." Manju says that she fasts on this day as abstinence forms the cornerstone of her religion.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com