MAHAVIR JAYANTI TO BE CELEBRATED ON THE 31ST MARCH, 2007 - The ever-increasing complexities of the modern world have marginalized the all-important human values like compassion, tolerance, mutual existence and the like. The world is facing grave consequences of this in the form of stressful life, deteriorating environment and, worst of all, terrorism. The relevance of Bhagwan Mahavir's sermon could never be felt more pertinent and important than in the present times. What he preached was radical then and it continues to be so even today. All that is needed is to free his simple and forth-right message from the academic and sectarian jargon and place it before the masses. There will be no dearth of people who will endeavour to seek and formulate solutions applicable to the prevailing problems.- By Sri D.R. Mehta from book:The basic thoughts of Bhagwan Mahavira.

SPIRITUALISM
SANTHARA OR SUICIDE? - Jaipur: Seventy-four-year-old Amar Chand Kasawan has attained divine status according to the Jain community. After suffering from gangrene and pneumonia for a long time, he took up Santhara, a religious ritual of fasting unto death. Kasawan died on the fifth day of his fast but instead of mourning, the family will glorify his death. “This is a religious fast and my father-in-law really wanted to take it up,” Kasawan’s daughter-in-law, Kalpana said. This is not a stray incident in the community. Before Kasawan, 61-year-old Vimala Devi died last week after fasting for 14 days. A petition has been filed in the Rajasthan High Court, equating the practice of Santhara with the likes of suicide, euthanasia and Sati. Like Vimala Devi's family, Kasawan’s family, too, justifies it by claiming that it was a wish, which he had expressed in his diary 15 years ago. “When the doctor gave up on him he told us ‘now you take me home and fulfill my last wish’,” Kasawan’s son, Vimal said. Three other cases of Santhara have been reported from Rajasthan, all of them being women over 80 years old. The Shwetambar sect of the Jain community considers this practice to be the ultimate spiritual achievement. However, the Rajasthan High Court will hear a Public Interest Litigation challenging the practice of Santhara. In the last one week five cases of Santhara have been reported in Rajasthan, of which two people have died since the filing of the PIL.

TEMPLE
CONTROVERSY OVER SUPREME COURT DECISION FOR CONTROL OF RISHABH DEV TEMPLE AT KESARIA JI CONTINUES. - A REPORT - The decision of the Supreme Court about the management and control of Shri Rishabh Dev temple at Kesaria Ji near Udaipur in Rajasthan (reported in the February issue of Ahimsa Times) to the effect that the temple belongs to Jain community only and the question of its control amongst Swetambar and Digambar sects should be decided by the State Government still remains to be implemented. There are three parties involved in the controversy, (i) Jains, (ii) Hindus living in the town and near-by including the priests and pandas who have been performingworship of some Hindu idols installed in the temple premises and (iii) the local adivasi population, who claim that Rishabh Dev is their God and they have been worshipping the same since long with all the reverence. The Supreme Court decision should have put put the whole controversy at rest, giving the right of management and control to theTrust owned by Jain community). However, the Hindu population there did not relish the decision of the Supreme Court, thinking that their authority would be lost and therefore the Adivasi community was misled and told by the vested interest that they would no more be able to enter the temple and perform worship of their beloved God, once the control goes into the hands of Jains. The mis-understanding so caused, led to clashes between the two communities, which resulted in death of one Adivasi and injury to many persons on both sides. The ugly situation was, of course, soon controlled by the local authorities and tight security was placed over the temple premises and near-by areas. Repeated assurances were also given to Adivasi people that they would always be free to enter and perform worship as and when they wanted. Still, the differences wwere not fully resolved. In the mean time, the two main sects of Jain community, Swetambar and Digambar, came out openly, each of them claimimg their right over the management of the temple.

Looking at the growing dissention amongst the two sects as well as the continued demand of other communities over the control of the temple, the State Government felt that it was not possible to hand over the charge of the temple to the Jain community, and so it has expressed its inability to the Supreme Court to implement its decision, as announced in Vidhan Sabha by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Rajendra Singh Rathore. The State Government has filed a petition for the review of the decision, keeping in view the prevailing situation. In the mean time, the Adivasi community as well as the Hindu population have found it as opportune time to submit a review petition from their sides. It is worth-mentioning that there is no justification for Hindus or Adivasis to claim the control over the temple as the right to manage the temple had been decided as far back as in the year 1922 by the then courts and the same had been confirmed and re-confirmed many times in the past, observing that the pilgrims from all over the country come in large numbers to pray their first Tirthankar, Rishabh dev Ji and the large majority of devotees coming to the temple are Jains, both Swetambar and Digambar.

It is however unfortunate that at this critical juncture, that Jains can not settle their differences on this common issue and to bring it in open, thereby weakening their own claim over the temple. It is high time that both the sects realise the serious damage that is being caused to the entire Jain community by their egoistic stands and frivolous claims. it can not be explained why both parties can not sit together and arrive at a just and fair solution, suiting to both sides, may it be control over the trust revenue, differences in the mode of woeship or rituals or the management of the temple. Why a common trust, owned by both the sects, having members fom both sides can be not created? It can be possible if both sides have a will to do so, with a sense of mutual respect, understanding and sacrifice. If the people concerned can not come to an understanding and go on singing their own tunes, they have no business to talk of aparigraha, anekantwad and ahimsa and call themselves
as Jains.

CULTURE MINISTRY CONSULTS CBI TO CURB ANTIQUE THEFT
New Delhi, March 19 Concerned over increasing theft of country's priceless antiques, the culture ministry is consulting the Central Bureau of Investigation for effective preventive measures and planning to amend the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, to make punishment for offenders stringent. 'CBI is the most efficient agency and they can handle this matter. Diplomatic missions are also requested to be in touch with the respective countries to evade illegal smuggling of these articles.

In January this year, 10 precious idols were stolen from a Jain temple in Gurgaon, on the outskirts of Delhi. A 900-year-old idol, stolen from a temple in Uttar Pradesh, was recovered in Delhi and two persons were arrested earlier this month. In another incident, three 700-year-old Jain idols costing Rs.130 million on the international market were recovered in Delhi last week from a man who allegedly planned to smuggle them out of the country. According to Archaeological Survey of India Director General C. Babu Rajeev, The government has already signed an agreement with China to stop illegal smuggling of these heritage items. Such agreements with other countries are in the pipeline. India has a record of only 450,000 antiques but expressed confidence that the country is an inventory of millions of such artefacts. Dialogue is also on for getting back one sculpture of Thirthankar from Washington, one sculpture of Nataraj from London and one sculpture of Varah from Switzerland. While launching the National Mission on Monuments and Antiques, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said her government is planning amendments to the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, to make the provisions more stringent with a view to curbing illegal trafficking in antiquities. Courtesy Gaurav Jain E-Mail: gauravejainyji@gmail.com, M: 98-119-8 1233.

MONEY BEHIND TAKE OVER OF RAJASTHAN JAIN TEMPLE "RISHABDEO JI"
The Jains will not be able to keep their own temple Rishabdeoji. The Brahmin priest have really no interest in Tirthankar Rishabdeo. They have their sight on the money. They have practically taken over the temple right now. The revenue earned by the temple was also perhaps the main issue behind the legal tangle and the current confrontation, in which tribal people have been used as cannon fodder. The temple complex lies on 378 hectares of land and houses a guest house as well. Its moveable property alone is said to be valued at about Rs.51 crores. It is estimated that on an average 2,000 devotees visit Rishabdeo every day. The temple's eight Brahmin priests share the bulk of the offerings. The priests insist that the management cannot be handed over to the Jain community. Courtesy: Navin C Sethi E-Mail: no_reply@yahoogroups.com.

BEDI-PRATHISHTA-MAHOTSAV AT PATIALA
Dated: - 27th April to 29th April-2007 Organizer: - Shri Digambar Jain Sabha, Patiala First ever Digamber Jain Mandir constructed in Patiala, Punjab Under the supervision of Brahamchari Shri Rajesh Ji disciple of Acharaya 108 Vidya Sagar Ji; Maharaj, Shri 1008 Lord Mahavir Digamber Jain Shikhar Band Mandir has been completed within 1 year (approx). The Bedi Prathishta of which has been fixed for from 27th of Aprl, 07 to 29th April, 07. All are warmly invited. Sabha will take care of all the Boarding and Lodging arrangements. Venue Address:- Shri Digamber Jain Mandir- Baba Deep Singh Nagar, Badi Nadi Pul, Patiala.- Any devotee capable of donating something and wishing to donate is also welcomed as your cooperation is expected in this noble cause of Dharam Parbhavana. Contact: Kanwar Sain Jain, Gen. Secretary. 1239 Phase-II Urban Estate-Patiala (Punjab) Phone: + 91 175 2285386.