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ALL INDIA JAIN VIDWAT SAMMELAN
FROM DEC. 28TH
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.
CHARUKEERTHIJI CALLS FOR
TRANSLATION OF JAIN AGAMAS IN REGIONAL LANGUAGES
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.
JAIN SCHOLARS
CALL FOR A DEEMED UNIVERSITY AT SHRAVANABELAGOLA
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.
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.
TAKE JAIN AGAMAS TO THE MASSES:
NIRAJ JAIN
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.
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