Mahamasthakabhishekha.com

Shravanabelagola, Dec 15: In memory of the Mahamasthakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola it has been decided to publish an attractive souvenir. Prof. Sri Narendraprakash Jain of Firozabad, Sri Bharath Kumar Kala of Mumbai, Sri Subhash Shastri of Sholapur and Smt.Sujata Subhash Shastri will be the members of the editorial board. Few pages of the souvenir have been reserved for the advertisements. For furthe details please contact: Sri Kamal Kumar Agarwal, President, Smarika Prakashan Samithi, Dhanvat Distributors, Maogoldan, Cuttak 753003, Orissa.

Shravanabelagola, Dec 15: As a part of the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations of Lord Bahubali the five days All India Jain Vidwat Sammelan will be held at Shravanabelagola from 28th December, 2005 to 1st January, 2006. The sammelan will be inaugurated on Dec. 28th at 11.00 am. Renowned Jain scholars from India and abroad will participate in the seven different sessions. On Dec. 29th the Chaturvimshati Jinabhisheka and Sarvotabadhra pooja have been organised. On Dec. 30th the Chanragiri Darshan and study programme has been organised. Dec. 31st would be a day for the Jain Women Scholars Convention and Jan 1st, 2006 would be the day for the Jain Pandits Convention. During the convention papers would be presented on the following topics: Shramana Sanskriti, Tirthankara Tradition, Shruta Sevas of Jaina Acharyas, Jain Darshan, Culture, Art and Literature, Contribution of Jainism to the Indian Culture, Contribution of Jain Shravak and Shravakis, Adi Tirthankar Sri Vrushabsen, Chakravarthi Bharath, Tapaswi Samrat Bahubali, Shrutakevali Badrabahu, Ahimsa and Shanti. A book exhibition of Jain literary works in various languages has also been organised on the occasion. More than two hundred Jain scholars are expected to participate in the conference.

Shravanabelagola, Dec 15: A two day 'Mathur Vandana' programme from all the Jain Women organisations (Mahila Samajas) in Karnataka has been planned as a part of the Mahamasthakabhisheka Celebrations - 2006. This was decided at a meeting organised in the presence of His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji the pontiff of the Shravanabelagola Jain Mutt. The two day programme is being organised to honour the contribution of Jain women who have served in various fields. Various cultural programmes have also been organised on the occasion. Along with this there would discussions on various topics followed by the honouring of various women organisations. Women representatives from all over Karnataka participated in the meeting.

Mandya, Dec 15: On the occasion of the Mahamasthakabhisheka special busses from Mandya to Shravanabelagola have been organised. The bus would leave Mandya at 6.45 am and reach Shravanabelagola at 9.00 am pasing through Nagamangala and Kambadahalli. The Same bus would leave for Mandya from Shravanabelagola at 4.00 pm and reach Mandya at 6.00 pm. In between the same bus would ply for three times daily in between Kambadahalli and Shravanabelagola. Sri K.B.Gulabchand convener of the Transport Sub Committee of the Mahamasthakabhisheka has informed this in a press release.

MMC06 wroking President A R Nirmal Kuma flagging off the Nippani-Belgaum bus service on Wednesday morning at Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt premises.

Shravanabelagola, Dec 21: The KSRTC today introduced two new bus services from Sharvanabelagola, one toward the Dharmasthala-Udupi sector and another toward Nippani-Belgaum sector via Shimoga and Hubli on the occasion of Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations.
Mr. A R Nirmal Kumar, Working President of Mahamasthakabhisheka Mahotsava Samithi and Jana Kalyana Sub Committee President H N Rajendrakumar flagged off the new services from the premises early on Wednesday morning.
The Shravanabelagola-Kollur bus service via Dharmasthala, Venur, Moodbidri, Karkala and Udupi will operate daily with buses leaving Shravanabelagola and Kollur simultaneously at 7.15 am and reaching respective destinations at 5 pm.
The Nippani (Maharashtra)-Shravanabelagola bus service will operate daily services from both ends at 3 p.m. The bus will cover Ichalakaranji, Borgaon, Sadalaga, Shamanewadi, Bedikihal, Galataga, Mamadapur, Akkol, Nippani, Sankeshwar, Hattaragi, Belgaum, MK Hubli, Kittur, Dharwad, Hubli, Shiggaon, Haveri, Ranebennur, Harihar, Malebennur, Honnali, Shimoga, Bhadravathi, Tarikere, Birur, Kadur, Arsikere and Chennarayapatana.
Dharmakeerthi Swamiji of the Shravanabelagola Mutt graced the occasion. Hassan Divisional Controller Mr. B C Ganganna Gowda, Transport Sub Committee Convener Mr. Gulab Chand Jain and DME mr.Nanjundappa were also present.

Shravanabelagola, Dec 28: His Holiness Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji, the pontiff of the Shravanabelagola Jain Mutt has called upon the Jain scholars to focus on translating the Jain Agamas in Prakrit to the regional languages so as to enable the common man to learn the Agamas. He was speaking at the inaugural function of the All India Jain Vidvat Sammelan.

Swasti Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kanakagiri Jain Mutt; Swasti Sri Dhavalakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Arihantgiri Jain Mutt; Swasti Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji of the Kambadahalli Jain Mutt and Sri Dharmakeerthi Swamiji were present at the inaugural function. Pandit Sri Ratanchand Barilla, Dr.Anupam Jain, Prof.Rajaram Jain, Sri Shreyamsa Kumar Shastri adn Sri A.R.Nirmal Kumar were also present on the stage. Acharya 108 Sri Vidyanandaji Muni Maharaj, Acharya Sri Mahapragnaji, Acharya 108 Sri Vidyasagarji Muni Maharaj and Upadhya 108 Sri Gnanasagarji Muni Maharaj had sent their message to the success of the Sammelan.

FIGHT FEMALE INFANTICIDE, FOR WOMEN PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN SOCIETY: JAIN NUNS

Shravanabelagola, Dec 31: Aryika 105 Prashanthmathi Mathaji on Saturday called upon Jain women' to unite and fight against the horrific attitude of female infanticide.
Aryika 105 Prashanthmathi Mathaji, presenting her views on the contribution of Aryika Mathajis, the Jain nuns, to the Jain way of life, said throughout centuries Jain community has followed the tradition of imparting education to daughters started by Bhagwan Vrishabnath. Quoting the contribution of Vrishabanath's daughters Bramhi and Sundari, who together helped evolve the Brahmi script, she said imparting modern education along with the dharmic values would aid women facing the hard realities of life.
Raising her voice against the killing of the girl child, she called upon the Jain women to unite in their fight against this horrific attitude. Recalling Aryika Mathajis immense contribution that has saved the Jain literature and tradition over generations, she said woman was the inspiration behind many historical people known for their work of saving and protecting the composite Indian tradition and culture.
Delivering lecture on the status of Prakrit language, Dr. J. Jwala of Mysore lauded the Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt for keeping alive the Prakrit language, which has vanished from the masses. She urged the scholars to bring out the dictionary of Prakrit language in various languages to ease the study of Prakrit by commoner. She called upon the Government to accord the status of a national language for Prakrit. Lauding the translation work of Davala into Kannada language by Jain Mutt, she expressed the hope that the Mutt would be able to bring out more such works in the coming years.
Speaking on "Jain and social life", Dr. Nagaraj Ujire said Jain dharmic values propounded the harmonious relationship among different classes of people. Following a vegetarianism way of life contributed to understand the requisites of social life. The concept of ahimsa and sacrifice has always contributed to social harmony and held pivotal positions in the aiding peaceful co-existence in the modern society.
Delivering a lecture on "Contribution of Germans to Jain Literature", Prof. M A Subhachandra of Mysore University Jainology and Prakrit Department stressed the need for establishment of an autonomous Jainology University at Shravanabelagola on the occasion of the first Mahamasthakabhisheka of the new millennium.
Pointing out that German Indologists contribution in protecting and presenting the Jain literature and tradition in front of the world was immense, he said it was the distinct works of Herman Yakobi that took the greatness of Jain literature to far corners of the world. Yakobi was also instrumental in changing the perception that Jainism was an offshoot of Buddhism and advocating Jainism as an independent religion, he added.
Sudeep Jain, Reader Lal Bahadur Shasthri Sanskrit Vidyalaya, New Delhi presented the viewpoints of the unique contribution of King Karavell securing the Jain religion. He urged the scholars and young generation to protect the rich inscriptions, which were in a very bad state due to the in humanistic attitude.
Shravanabelagola Pontiff His Holiness Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, who graced the occasion, compared human life into a cricket match. Real knowledge, real faith and real conduct are like three stumps. The ten Karmas are like an opponent players, they always try to make you out. One has to be alert to save his wicket, and then only he becomes a Jina, he said in lighter vein.
Dr. Sarosh Jain, Jawhar University, Udaypur; Dr Shanti Sanmathi Kumar; Dr. Chandravathi Shasthri, Moodbidri; Dr. Vidyavathi; and Shwethambar Samnibavith Prajnaji also presented their views on the various aspects of Jain religion and tradition.

Hassan, Jan 1: In view of the ensuing Mahamasthakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola the Hassan All India Radio (A.I.R.) will telecast one Jain song every morning from 1st jan 2006 to Feb 10th 2006, in its Stuthi Mallika programme. Sri Srinivasprasad the director of A.I.R. Hassan has informed this in a press release. He has also informed that all the A.I.R. stations in Karnataka will telecast Jain songs on 8th Feb, 2006 the first day of the Mahamasthakabhisheka under the Geetharadhana programme.

Jain scholar Dr.Rameshchand Jain of Uttar Pradesh speaking during the Vidwat Sammelan on 1st Jan 2006.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 1:The All India Conference of Jain Scholars and Researchers that concluded here on Sunday resolved to establish two deemed universities at Shravanabelagola, one for promotion and preservation of Prakrit language and another in the arena of higher education promoting professional courses.

In the 'Shravanabelagola Declaration' adopted by more than 150 scholars who attended the Five-day Conference, the scholars were unanimous about the importance of disseminating traditional as well as modern knowledge in the present day knowledge society. The time has come where a new breed of scholars have to be nurtured by educating them in modern disciplines even while imbibing the best of traditions and culture.
The scholars opined that efforts should be made to strengthen the teaching and research in the field of Prakrit language and literature, with a view to popularize the same and increase the number of persons, who can write, speak and understand the language, with a good amount of proficiency. In this direction, the scholars resolved to establish a deemed university or National Institute of Prakrit at Shravanabelagola.
The proposed Institute or University will focus on teaching Prakrit at the Post Graduate level; diploma in spoken Prakrit; research in Prakrit language and literature; offering refresher courses and organizing various meets and conclaves of scholars; establishing a library with e-linkages; creating cyber facilities for teaching and research in Prakrit; exchange programmes for teachers and students; translation facilities; online helpline services; development of software support systems; creation of quality manpower; creating an FM radio station on the campus; and broadcasting popular musical programmes in Prakrit.
The conference further resolved to establish a separate Deemed University for promoting professional courses in higher education with Shravanabelagola as the Headquarters, which will have a provision to open its campuses in other places in India and abroad.

Jain scholar Dr.Vimala Jain of Firozabad speaking during the Vidwat Sammelan on 1st Jan 2006.

This University while offering up-to-date professional education will incorporate modules on value education based on the Jain doctrines. The proposed university will offer courses in Medicine including the Indian system of medicine; nursing and physiotherapy; dentistry; architecture; fashion and jewellery design; Engineering including Information Technology; Management; Nanotechnology; Biotechnology; Bioinformatics; Material Technology; Law; Disaster Management; Agriculture including Floriculture; All social sciences; and Humanities including languages.
The conference also decided to make organized efforts to remove the language barrier for facilitating the flow of information as most of the Jain literature is currently spread over Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Sanskrit and Prakrit.

Shravanabelagola, Jan 1: Jain agamas, which have for long remained in the confines of the elite, has to reach the masses if the Jain way of life is to be sustained. And this means bringing the agamas scriptures from the stronghold of classical words to the lingua franca of the common man, eminent writer Mr. Niraj Jain. He was delivering the valedictory address at the Five-day All India Jain Scholars Conference that concluded on Sunday at Shravanabelagola.
Mr. Jain said, in the present world of the Internet and worldwide web, there is a need to translate Jain literature into English language if the Jain religious values were to be imparted among youngsters. He urged the women to assume the pivotal role in inspiring children study the tradition and culture of Jain community. Only rational thinking among the new breeds of scholars would lead the young generation in the right path, he added.
Speaking on the contribution of Karnataka to Jain religion, he pointed out that Mysore kings were instrumental in protecting the Jain religion and protecting the historical importance of Shravanabelagola. The Bhattaraka tradition of South India not only protected the Jain centers of the South but also was instrumental in merging the Jain community of both the North and South.
Well-known Archeologist Mr. Iravatha Mahadevan describing the oldest Jain inscription found at Tamil Nadu said Jain inscriptions found inside caves that are natural formations are plain and not decorated like the inscriptions of the Pallava period. The oldest inscription dated second century B.C found at Mangola near Madhurai belongs Jain period, he said.
He expressed grave concern on the terrible state of many inscriptions owing to human negligence and interference, and urged the scholars to educate and create awareness among the people about the importance of these inscriptions.
Speaking on the contribution of Jain religion to Tamil literature he said many Tamil literary works were greatly influenced by Jain literature and the immense contribution of great Jain Acharyas. He also indicated the possibilities of inscription found at Shravanabelagola having a link with Indus valley civilization. The 'Swasthika' symbol found at the hills Shravanabelagola are similar to the symbol found at Indus Valley civilization, he added.
Swasthishri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt, who graced the occasion, said we could not differentiate spiritualism and Agamas from each other. Both spiritualism and Agamas are important for attaining Moksha. Right conduct, knowledge and faith will not appear without one becoming free of his Karmas.
Mr. Shantiraj Shastri of Shravanabelagola presided over the function. Mr. Sumathichandra Shastri, Dr. M.A Subhachandra and Dr. Poolchand Premi, the Conference President, were present on the occasion.