Jagruti Shah
Ahimsa Day at the UK Parliament on Wednesday 1st November 2006
What a truly remarkable day this was, to listen in the UK Parliament not just about Jainism but also to hear Lord Mahavir’s message. The topic was Ahimsa and Environment.
The fourth annual Ahimsa Day celebration at the House of Commons was hosted jointly by the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) in conjunction with the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties Friends of India parliamentary groups and was attended by the Chairmen of each group, Stephen Pound MP, Nigel Evans MP, and Lord Dholakia respectively.
Elliot Morley Labour MP for Global Environment was the chief guest representing the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair.
The afternoon had various thought provoking speakers from the Jain Samanijis from JVB London, Mr. John Vidal (Environment Editor of the Guardian Newspaper) and Dr Harshadbhai Sanghrajka (Honorary Secretary IOJ).
The programme started with prayers recited by Samani Prasanna Pragya and Samani Sambodh Pragya. Samani Prasanna Pragyaji then addressed the congregation.She stressed the importance of non-violence not just between human beings but also with all life forms. For the Jain, all animal life is inviolate. Every organism possesses a soul from a minute amoeba virus to the enormous redwood tree with its 36,000 cubic feet of life. Thus in Jain tradition ecology and environment are an indispensable part of spirituality as well as life. In his quest for materialism men has trampled on nature. The Samaniji mentioned a wonderful quote from Friedrich Engels, “ let us not however flatter ourselves over much on account of our human victories over nature, for each such victory, nature takes its revenge on us’. She also mentioned about His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya’s “Ahimsa Yatra” as well as his programme of combating violence.
Elliot Morley representing the Prime Minister (Labour MP for Global Environment) spoke about how important it was to take care of the environment. He spoke about how global warming was destroying the ozone layer and its consequences.
Steven Pound felt passionately about the Jain values. He talked about how he had taken on board the values and given up drinking and smoking. And he jokingly added that by next year ‘it will be meat’! He felt that Ahimsa was more relevant today then ever before and he complemented and thanked the IOJ for bringing this awareness.
Mr. John Vidal from the Guardian talked about the wisdom of Jainism and its prescription for avoiding ecological disaster.
Finally, Dr Harshad Sanghrajka’s talked on the importance of the eco elements earth, air, water and vegetation. Eco cannot be isolated from life because life is totally dependent on eco. We cannot imagine life in the absence of ecofriendly earth, air, water or vegetation.
The audience packed the Members Dining Room to capacity and their feedback was very positive.