Ahimsa Times
A national seminar was organised by Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi on 6th and 7th February, 2009. Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Karan Singh, President of the inaugural session, expressed that, time is running out of human race in this most lethal century though, marked by mind-bobbling advancement of technology, yet facing great tension and turmoil and utmost violence. He also expressed concern over sectarian and social dissentions assuming alarming proportion. He made an appeal to the Jaina community to come to the rescue of society by promoting harmony among different religious sects. Dr. (Mrs.) The Guest of Honour, Dr. Sheldon Pollock from USA in his speech pin-pointed the need of smooth access to the Jaina Manuscript collections.
Dr J. B. Shah, the convener of the Seminar, delivered his scholarly key-note address. Almost all the aspects of Jaina religion, worth mentioning, were included in his meticulously prepared speech. In all 19 papers were presented through six sessions. In the first session, chaired by Prof. Sagarmal Jain and convened by Prof. Janak Dave, Prof. Phool Chand Jain, presented the account of the conduct of Jaina house holders. Dr. Mahendra Bhai Nanavati, USA, emphasized the need of interpretation of Jaina rules in a rational way. In the second session, Dr. Lata Bothra from Kolkata elaborately dealt with the religious practices, food habits etc. of Sarak caste, residing in West Bengal, which is similar with those of Jaina community. Prof. Kamala Jain in her paper dealt with the Sikshavrata Atithi Samvibhaga-vrata of Jaina house-holders. Dr. Pradyumn Shah Singh, Patiala concentrated in his paper on main principles, Non-violence, Ahimsa, Anekant and Aparigraha as found in Jaina canonical texts. Dr. Jodh Singh, Patiala presided this session.
On the 7th February in third session, three papers were presented. Dr. Vijay Kumar Jain, Lucknow talked on the scientific foundation of Jain life- style. Dr. Dharm Chand Jain, Jodhpur, emphasized in his paper the need to propagate the various traits of Jainism so that the living being as a whole is benefited in a significant manner. Dr. A. K Singh highlighted the need of awareness towards the transgression of vices (vyasanas) in the light of Jain sravakacara works. In the fourth session, three scholars, Prof. Sagarmal Jain, Shazapur, Prof. S. P. Narang, Delhi and Prof. Kokila Shah, Mumbai, presented their papers. Prof. Jain dealt in his paper how Jains doctrines may be of great help in solving the most of the burning problems faced by the world to-day. Prof. S. P. Narang in his paper talked on the application of concept of truth to various fields particularly Jain literary criticism in the light of a commentary of Siddhachand-gani. Prof. Kokila Shah emphasized that a model of thought process is necessary to make the practice of non-violence, viable one. Prof. Kamala Jain presided this session. In the last two sessions, Prof. Janak Dave, Ahmedabad, Dr. Vijay Shankar Shukla, Prof. J. P. Vidyalankar, Delhi, Dr. Shveta Jain, Dr. Vineya Jain, Dr. Anekant Jain and Dr. D.N. Sharma presented their papers on different topics concerning Jainism and its relevance in the present context.
The chief guest on the occasion was Dr. (Mrs.) Kapila Vatsyayan and the guests of honour were Prof. Sheldon Pollock and Prof. Gananath Obeyesekere. The key-note address was delivered by Dr. Jitendra B. Shah. The seminar was conceived, planned and organized by Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology in collaboration with Nakoda Parshwanath Teerth Trust.
On this occasion, a Website www.youngjains.co.in of Young Jains organisation was also launched by Prof. J. B. Shah. Eminent scholar of Sanskrit Prof. Radha Vallabh Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, Rastriya Sanskrit Sansthan, expressed the need of organizing such seminars. The Director, Dr. Balaji Ganorkar (E-Mail: ) conducted this session.