Note: forwarded message attached.


__________________________________________________
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Hi Friends,

I have launched a new discussion group for those who are interested
in Hindi Literature, Hindi Language and anything related to Hindi and
in Hindi. This group has about 130 members right now and they are
from all parts of the world.

You are invited to join this group. Just click on:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vishwabhasha/

and join it.

You can discuss in Hindi only using Roman or Devnagari script.

Mahavir Chavan

(If possible, please discuss this issue with jain samaj leaders and
religious personalities).

Sadharmik reader,
Jai Jinendra.

Kindly, post your openion after comparing the following situations:

(1)One person, who is strict in not to eat 'Kandmul', after learning  from
jain religion, what is wrong in it. That person consumes milk and milk
products in everyday routin, even after knowing how cows are treated in
every dairy, and everywhere the milk comes from same situation.

(2)Other person, who eats 'Kandmul', even after knowing from jain religion
that what is wrong in eating it. That person, however, stop consuming milk
or any milk products for whole life after learning how badly cows are
treated in every dairy which gives life-time suffering and finally sending
the cows to slaughterhouse.

As per your openion, which involves more hinsa out of these two different
situations?

Please post your openion with reasons.

Dilip Doshi





_________________________________________________________________
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New Entries at Jain Matrimonials

We have uploaded some new pages with pictures at:

http://jainfriends.faithweb.com/matri.html

Thanks

Mahavir Sanglikar

Respected Moderators & All jain & others
JAI JINENDRA***JAI MAHAVEER***
                           Here is some jainism
activity information.
          ***"During year
2002,More then 230 college students & professors
visited jsmc Temple at Bartlet,IL.USA
Jyotindra N. Doshi- Gave guided tour to Temple &
Explaine Basic jainism & answers the Questions.
People ware very glade to visit jsmc Temple"

SPIRITUAL SPEECHES-BY-JYOTINDRA N.DOSHI-Previous jaina
convention& at other place
Year2001 @Illinois- Program book page#11  Item#34
1)Gandhi,jainism & shrimad (sadguru)
2)Practice & Importance of Meditation
                            year1999
@Philadelphia,PA-program book Item #12
1)Jainism and Meditation for Happiness
2)Samyak Darshan,The Right Perception
Year1997 @ Toronto,Canada-Program book item#64

1)RATNATRAYA-THE THREE JEWELS
2)"jain Education Advancement Detail"(Pathshala
Teachers Work shop)
Year1995 @ Illinois-
Meditation
*******************************************************year
2002*-04-28-02-Spirituality & Healing(Declamation
contest-Winner)Bhagwan Mahavir jayanti Program @JSMC.
*******************************************************Year1998-May-23-24-Jaina
Pathshala conference @Boston,MA.
                      Level-1-Session Coordinator
                     Year1997-Jain Prayer & Meditation
@ Church-Lisle,Illinois
          Year1996*"Many Faiths one Reality" @ the
Theosophical society of America-Wheaton,Illinois


"Nitin Parshwanath" <nitin@...> |






__________________________________________________
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Dear Jain Friends
The President of India Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Meets The great Jain
Acharya Mahapragya and to much impressed by the message of non
violence click here to view the phptographs.
http://www.terapanthonline.com/kalam
Yours
JVBharti

Hi Friend,

You are invited to join Jain Friends Discussion Group at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jainfriends/

Here you can take part in discussions going on or can start a new
discussion related to Jains and Jainism. You can chat with online
members and can make new Jain Friends worldover.

Please note that this is a high volume group and you will receive 5
to 10 emails oer day.

( This group is distict from Jain-Froends group )

Mahavir Sanglikar

Hello Friends
I would like to bring First Time in the world offer
Fully Automated CD-Rom of
Bhaktamber Strotra

A Unique way to Say “Michhami Dukhadam”
By giving as a gift of Love and Peace.
For Just Rs 450/- Only.

Bhaktamber Stotra is an interactive Multimedia Cd-Rom for the devotees of
Bhagwan Rishabhdeva, The First Thirthankar of Jains.
This Interactive Cd-Rom Shows 44/48 Sanskrit Strotras
with Animation and explanation of all the strotras
with the option of different language
(Gujrati,English & Hindi)

Those who hear these Strotras everyday with deep belief. It is assured that
he/she will be blessed with “HIS” Gift of Heaven, Success & Prosperity

Anyone interested in the CD-ROM may please contact Rakesh Dhanesha
At 892 6845 or email me at
rakeshdhanesha@...
with complete address and Tel.no And the Cd will be delivered to you.

!!!!! Jai Jinendra !!!!!

Please forward this message and send it to everyone in our Jain community and
get the blessings !!!

Hi Friends,

I read the discussion on milk in various Jain discussion groups. I don't know
why Jains talk much about cows and don't talk about buffalos.

I think there may be two reasons:

1. Buffalos are blacks while cows are whites. The blacks are always
ignored. The Jains (of course Indian Jains!) are mostly blacks, So I
request the Jains to take side of black buffalos and please leave the
white cows on there own destiny.

2. The cows are holy for Hindus and most of the Jains are
more 'Hindutwawadis' than Hindus themselves. But Jains should
remember that according to Jainism cow is a tiryanch animal and it is
not a holy animal. No animal is holy, if some Jains think so, their
knowledge about Jainism is not more than that of white cows and other
tiryanch animals!

Sthulibhadra
(Kumarpal Shah)

Dear Jain friends
Jai Jinendra
I am sending a very interesting article link about Jainism
written by the great Jain Acharya Mahapragya
"Jain religion as a world religion"
http://terapanthonline.com/jainism/index.php

Yours
Arham Jain

Vande Mataram!

This is for a worthy cause , I feel, which can have a SIGNIFICANT bearing
on the Bharat we and our children live in !

Hence, please DO take the trouble to read, act and forward to any Indian
you feel would like to see a better Bharat

SAVING BHARAT

Dear fellow Indians!

On May 2nd 2002 - the Supreme Court of India ruled  that candidates
contesting parliamentary or assembly elections must  disclose:
* Their criminal records (convictions, acquittals, charges..), if  any
* Their assets and liabilities (including those of their spouses and
dependents)
*Their educational qualifications.

The ruling is so  important that it has the potential to change the
landscape of Indian politics  for all times to come. This is about us, the
people - our fundamental right to  information!

July 8, 2002 - All political parties unanimously rejected  the SC ruling on
various unworthy grounds. Now a draft bill is being circulated,  which if
passed as law, will nullify the entire SC ruling. This is a  rare opportunity
for the silent majority to make itself heard. If we don't,  we have no one
else to blame.

You can make yourself heard.

What you need to do:

1. Sign the  petition to the Election Commissioner at:
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/SupremeCourtIndia_Clean_Politics/

2. Also, please forward this note to as many Indians you know with a
request to do the same.

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````\
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HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY
http://www.hindibooks.8m.com
Booksellers and Publishers
Hirabaug, C. P. Tank,
Mumbai 400004 INDIA
Phone: +91-22-23826739
Email: manish.modi@...

Dear Friends,

Now www.jainworld.com has google search in its site. This will make it very easy for you to search at jainworld. Please, take advantage of it.

With regards,  Dr. Gada

You are searching www.jainworld.com   Search www Search jainworld.com

In the milk issue the jains are talking much about the harrasment of
cows but no one has talked about stealing. The milk of any mammal is
meant for its kid and not for others. Taking milk is nothing but to
take the property of others without right or permission.

But i think that Jains think that stealing is permitted in Jain rules
of conduct. That is why many of the Jains avoid to pay taxes,and
proudly say that Harshad Mehta was a Jain or Bharat Shah is a Jain.
They steal articles written by others and publish with their own
name. Not only shravaks, but many Jain monks too do it.

I have seen some Jain monks who have passed their graduation exams be
copying the answers from guide books.

On the net you can find many 'same' articles on jainism written
by 'different' authors. Keep up with ahimsa, ignore other anuvratas.
It is today's Jain conduct.

Kumarpal Shah

Jain Spirit Newsletter March 2003

ELEVATE YOUR SPIRIT

1.  great news!

Jain Spirit Granted Charity Status
As we go to print, the Jain Spirit team is celebrating its newly granted charity
status.  It is now a registered charity, supervised and regulated by the U.K.
Charities Commission.  This means that we can now accept donations and can claim
back tax on financial contributions made to the magazine by British taxpayers
and corporate sponsors.  We would like to encourage our readers and business
supporters to send us regular donations.

New additions to the team

Mira Manhar Shah joins us as Marketing Executive in our new offices at Elstree
in North London. Mira is a graduate from the University of Sussex and is spear
heading our efforts to increase subscription and advertising. If she calls you
please say YES! Mira can be contacted on UK 0208 905 1177 and email
marketing@... <mailto:marketing@...>.

Falguni Patel from Manchester has just been appointed as a Director.  She brings
a wealth of experience and knowledge about Indian culture and the U.K. voluntary
sector.  She has a Master's degree from the School of Oriental and African
Studies.  She has already been involved as News and Youth Editor of the
magazine, and will be the Guest Editor for Issue 15, which comes out in June
2003.

James Maturin-Baird, a photographer and designer, has joined the team as
freelance Photo Editor.  He replaces Alison Kent, who did a wonderful job in
improving the quality of pictures and the layout of the magazine.  James is
embarking on a photo tour of India in February 2003 with the Executive Editor. 
Gordon Woods continues as Designer.

EXCITING NEW POSITION

Would you like to obtain some solid marketing experience for a top global brand
name? Does working for a new and exciting international magazine attract you?
Where else can you get involved in a whole range of marketing strategies from
internet to telesales and business advertising in six months? We are looking for
smart young people (gap-year or recent graduates) to join our team. If
interested please email Mira Shah, Marketing Executive on
marketing@... <mailto:marketing@...>.

3. A UNIQUE GIFT
People who have given gift subscriptions have received a lot of thank you's from
the recipients. Recently Mr. Rajesh and Asha Mehta of Antwerp gave 120 gift
subscriptions to friends in the City and received as many thank you's. Each gift
subscription costs only £10 and we would mail 4 issues of the magazine over a
one-year period to the recipient. All you have to do is supply us with the name
and address and we will do the rest. Make yours a Jain Spirit City and
experience the difference. Mr. Jayendra Patel and family also experienced
similar results when they gave gifts to all Jains living in Manchester. For
details contact Mira Shah on marketing@...
<mailto:marketing@...>.

For 2003 we are giving a special offer of 3 gift subscriptions for £30. If each
of you do this we will treble our subscriptions and everyone will win. For more
details visit call UK 01206 500 037.


4. FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Jain Spirit Three Peaks Challenge, Yorkshire, England, 20th - 22nd June
2003.
Enquiries and registrations for this exciting adventure fundraising event in the
beautiful Three Peaks of Yorkshire, England are already flooding in.
Participants have to climb three peaks within 12 hours and have to be physically
fit. To ensure your place, register now by emailing marketing@...
<mailto:marketing@...> or call UK 0208 905 1177. The deadline for
registration has now been extended to 31st March 2002. Please send in your
registration as soon as possible.

JAINA Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio in July 3rd - 6th 2003.
Thousands of Jains from all over North America will gather at this bi-annual
event. Registrations and hotel bookings are coming fast so book your place
early. Details are on www.jainaconvention.org <http://www.jainaconvention.org>.

Mahavir Jayanti (Birth date of Lord Mahavir), Tuesday 15th April 2003.


5. NEW BOOKS AND CASSETTES

The second edition of Paul Dundas' masterpiece “The Jains” published by
Routledge 2002 is now available.  This is probably the best reference work on
Jainism available today and is very comprehensive and authoritative.  The first
edition has been out of print for nearly two years, so this is a welcome reprint
with major modifications. It covers all aspects of Jainism and is a must for
every Jain home.

'Jain Temples in India and Around the World' is an excellent new coffee table
picture book with text by Dr. L M Singhvi.  Jain Spirit is the sole distributor
in the UK and the book is available at £30 each plus postage and packing.

We have also received an excellent new audiocassette series on a pilgrimage to
Shantrunjay (Palitana) and the hymns and songs which relate to this.  A set of
four cassettes is available at £10 plus postage and packing. This also includes
a book and cassette on 24 tirthankars for children in English.

To order, telephone UK 01206 500037 (office hours) with your credit card
details.




6. INSIDE THE CURRENT ISSUE OF JAIN SPIRIT

Issue 14 is coming out very soon and will reach the doors of subscribers in
March. There are fascinating articles on Disability, Yoga, Festivals and Art.
Here are some quotes:

“An intimate connection to nature is both a basic right and a basic need.”
Jules Pretty.

“Modern education does not prepare children to appreciate the multi-dimensional
crisis facing the world.”
Tanuj Shah.

  “Those who transcend the limitations of the body and experience enlightenment
  of the soul attain kaivalya.”
  Dr. L. M. Singhvi.

  “Natural law dictates that each one of us takes responsibility for our own
health.”
  Atul M. Shah.

“Its is best to treat a disabled child as normal……My patience increases with her
  growing problems.”
  Nisha Ghosh.

  “Vote with your pocket.”
  Raju Shah.


7. www.jainspirit.com <http://www.jainspirit.com>

Our new website is receiving very positive reviews from all over the world. 
Check it out for yourself.  We are pleased to announce a surge in internet
renewals and subscriptions! Use the discussion board facility to discuss
articles and future topics in Jain Spirit magazine.  Banner advertisements for
businesses are available at only £100 per year and will reach a global audience
through an effective permanent medium.  Try it and see the results for yourself.


8. FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS

Are your friends receiving this free newsletter?  If not, forward it to them. 
To put your email address on our distribution list, email editor@...
<mailto:editor@...> with the subject line “Subscribe”.  If you have
groups of email addresses of people who would benefit from this newsletter which
you would like to share with us, please send them direct to us.

9. CONTACT US

JAIN SPIRIT Ltd.
14 Cowdray Office Centre, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester CO11QB, UK
Tel: 01206-500037 Fax: 01206-500279 Email: editor@...
<mailto:editor@...> Website:
  www.jainspirit.com <http://www.jainspirit.com>

THE PATH UNLIKE ANY OTHER : HOW & WHY I CAME TO FOLLOW JAIN PHILOSOPHY
By Gabriel E. Figueroa <vegangf@...>


Excerpts:

"Jainism recognizes that we alone are responsible for our destiny..."

"Ahinsa is found to a certain extent in most religious traditions, but only
in Jainism is it given paramount importance..."

"Everything in Jainism ties into the idea that we are independent beings that
are responsible for our own destiny through our thoughts and actions..."

"The Jain code of conduct is based on nonviolence totally, because this is
the only way to begin on the path to liberation..."

"Some think that Jainism is not practical in this society or in modern times.
I believe that now Jainism is more crucial than ever....Violence surrounds us
and threatens to destroy our spirit....Following Ahinsa in daily life is an
inspiration to those who still engage in all forms of violence.  We can
eliminate so much of the violence in the world by being truly nonviolent...."

--
Almost everyone has experienced a moment of incredible clarity and insight
wherein everything makes sense and seems to fall into place.  Usually, these
moments are instantaneous and go as quickly as they come.  I experienced such
a moment of great clarity and tremendous insight the first time I encountered
Jain philosophy.  The difference was that this clarity and insight have
continued to be a part of my life as I have learned more about Jainism.

I was raised in a Catholic family.  We were never particularly religious.  I
did go through the motions of the Catholic Sacraments, but my heart was not
really in it.  Part of me always felt that Catholicism was not spiritually
fulfilling.  I really didn't look into other faiths right away, but I
gradually withdrew from attending Mass and church functions.

At the age of 18, I was in my senior year of high school and I became friends
with an Existentialist.  He really opened my eyes though our conclusions were
somewhat different.  He would ask me these really thought-provoking
questions.  I would answer them.  He would then question my answer.  And I
would answer his question.  Of course, he would question this answer.  I
would get so frustrated thinking that nothing was able to be answered in
absolute terms.  My friend would always find a question.  My mind had always
been very logical, and this sent me searching for answers that were not so
easily reduced.  Simultaneously, I had a spiritual void that also needed to
be filled.

My search led me to look at some different religious traditions.  For me, the
most fascinating, devotional, and logical were the Indian religions.  At that
time I had no idea that what I liked about the Indian religions were all
contributions of Jainism.  I began considering notions of karma and
reincarnation, non-violence, and respect for all living beings.  I thought
about vegetarianism and began to feel a sense of guilt about eating meat.
Everything seemed to be pointing me in the direction of Ahinsa, and finally
one day I knew I could no longer eat an animal and so I stopped.  In my first
year of vegetarianism, I learned as much as I could about vegetarian
principles.  I started to realize the cruelty to animals in all animal
products and promptly made a move from ovo-lacto vegetarian to vegan.  I quit
using eggs (which I had taken reluctantly anyway), dairy products, honey,
leather, wool, silk, etc.  Also, I remember reading about Jainism in a book
about vegetarianism and feeling a strong attraction to Jain ideals.  The
small blurb made me hungry to learn more about this truly beautiful spiritual
path.  It was from this time that I remember the feeling of insight and great
clarity.

I began reading everything I could find about Jainism.  Unfortunately, there
was not much available.  Most of what I did read was written by misinformed
westerners who viewed Jainism as some sort of offshoot brand of Hinduism.
There were great distortions about the origins, teachings, and practices of
Jainism.  I did manage to get some accurate information from some fine Jain
organizations as well as get to know some Jains personally, so I began to
learn more.  The more I learned, the more I started to realize that I had
been fortunate enough to have found the True Path.  Not only did I find it
logically appealing, but intuitively I felt as if I were already aware of the
truths of Jainism but that they were harbored deep within me.

After studying Jain philosophy for a few years, I found that I wanted to
practice it more in daily life.  I knew there were Jain rituals but did not
understand what they or their significance were exactly.  I also had never
been to a Jain temple.  Though I have always considered true practice more
important than ritual, I wanted to learn more.  This was very difficult.  I
found that many Jains whom I met were unfamiliar with the meaning behind the
rituals.  I had the opportunity to stay with a nice Jain family in Houston.
They were very hospitable and also quite knowledgeable about different Jain
rituals.  I went to the Jain Center in Houston and attended the YJA Southwest
Regional Conference in 1996.  This made a tremendous difference in my
understanding by allowing me to see how others practiced Jainism.

I found that like any other path, there were many who were uncertain about
their faith.  There was also confusion among younger people as to whether
Jain concepts were truly practical in this society at this time.  I met many
who possessed incredible knowledge about Jainism but admitted their practice
was not always as it should be.  I was amazed that there were a number of
non-vegetarians.  I was disillusioned to find that Jainism was taken for
granted by many of those who had been born into it.  How could the True Path
be ignored?

In thinking about it, I came to realize that I was dealing with a phenomenon
that happens in all religious traditions.  It had happened to me; I had not
accepted my own religious upbringing and had questioned much of what my
elders told me was the "right" thing to do.  If I had simply accepted it all,
I would have never been exposed to Jainism (or for that matter many other
interesting and beautiful philosophies).  How else could one ever really know
if Jainism was the True Path?  I began to realize that unless one had really
done some self-examination or already had a strong inner knowing, then there
would probably always be a level of doubt about this or any path.  On top of
that, we live in a society where we are inundated with marketing that
encourages us to live our lives as the corporate giants see fit.  At every
turn, there is a McDonald's or KFC fast food restaurant.  Even schools
encourage us to eat and behave in ways that are contrary to the teachings of
Jainism.  Following a code of Ahinsa may appear impossible when we are
strongly urged to do things that violate it and are surrounded by those who
contradict it constantly.

No wonder there was so much confusion among Jains living in North America.  I
had felt the same confusion about Catholicism, though I had not had quite the
same struggle between the rules of Catholicism and the standards of society.
My confusion had led me into a search for true spirituality that resulted in
tremendous growth for me.  I never returned to Catholicism but did come to
appreciate it more as a result of my quest.  I was truly lucky because I had
examined other religions before coming to find Jainism; thus I was able to
see the essential differences and saw that Jainism had some characteristics
that were very unique.  These unique characteristics made me realize that
Jainism was a path unlike any other.  In my heart and mind, I knew that
Jainism was the True Path.  I only had to look within to realize this.  I
will explain some of what really had an impact on me.

Jainism recognizes that we alone are responsible for our destiny.  This is
both frightening and liberating.  It is frightening to those who have been
conditioned to believe that by worshipping the proper god in the proper
religion their ultimate goal will be achieved.  These worshippers rely on an
external agent rather than on their own soul.  It is also frightening to
those who engage in activities that violate the sanctity of the soul, because
they realize that they will have to experience the consequences of their
actions.  It is liberating because we realize that we hold the key to the
ultimate goal.  We can do it, and we have instructions on how to do it.  No
one else can do it for us.  Those who achieved the goal of liberation were
humans too.  We can transform ourselves to be like they are, step by step.
No matter how many wrong actions we have committed in the past, we can begin
the path to self-realization from today.  It is up to us.  Help is around us
in the form of teachings and teachers, but only we can put forth the effort.
Responsibility can be our jailer or our liberator – WE decide.

Ahinsa is found to a certain extent in most religious traditions, but only in
Jainism is it given paramount importance.  The Tirthankaras recognized that
all beings' souls are the same regardless of the body they inhabit.
Underneath the karmic matter is a pure soul whether one is a grasshopper or a
human being.  Most of the time we confuse the body for the soul.  But Jain
philosophy teaches us that soul is primary and all souls are important.
Simply because one soul inhabits the body of a chicken does not make that
soul less important.  It is better to strive to help other souls and not hurt
them.  Vegetarianism is a small but effective step that helps us to minimize
violence towards other beings.  It is a great place to start, but Jain
philosophy teaches us that if we are to realize our souls we need to go
further.  We need to purify our thoughts towards ourselves and others.  We
need to realize that when we harm another, we harm ourselves.  There are many
things we can do or refrain from doing that will truly help us and ultimately
help others through example.

Everything in Jainism ties into the idea that we are independent beings that
are responsible for our own destiny through our thoughts and actions.  So we
can understand why it is important to be nonviolent.  The Jain code of
conduct is based on nonviolence totally, because this is the only way to
begin on the path to liberation.  For instance, why is it important to be
truthful?  Through lies, we hurt others with our words and then we hurt
ourselves.  Why should we not steal?  Isn't stealing also a form of violence?
  What about wrong thinking?  What if we think we are better than others?
These are forms of violence in and of themselves, and they lead to greater
forms of violence in our actions.  Anekantavada helps us to act nonviolently
towards others by allowing us to see things from a different perspective.
All religious paths give us rules, and most attribute them to a higher power.
  Generally that is as far as they go. The teachings of Jainism don't just
give us empty rules to follow.  We learn to see the consequences of our
actions.  Then we see that there are legitimate reasons for following the
truths of Jainism.  If we do so, the reward is the highest goal of Moksha.

In my heart, I knew from the beginning that Jainism was the True Path.  Once
I realized that only Jainism was so thorough in providing us with a path to
liberation and ultimate happiness, I knew in my mind it was the True Path.  I
still am inspired by other religions and study them to learn more about them.
  They help me to be able to relate to others and gain additional viewpoints.
They enrich me, but I personally find that Jainism is so much deeper in all
respects.

Some think that Jainism is not practical in this society or in modern times.
I believe that now Jainism is more crucial than ever.  We live in a society
that abounds in material and worldly temptations.  It is very easy to ignore
our soul.  But the more we ignore our soul, the more we suffer.  Suffering
takes place on a grand scale.  Violence surrounds us and threatens to destroy
our spirit.  There are opportunities to become wealthy by ignoring our soul.
We pretend we don't notice, but we are souls.  So how can we help but notice?

For me, Jainism is extremely practical.  Jain meditation has had tremendous
power in my life.  It has a cleansing quality that bathes my soul.  It allows
me to see the potential God in all living beings.  I find that I am able to
remove negative thoughts and emotions.  I feel happier in my daily life.  I
still have challenges, but I view them in a different light.  I know when I
ignore my soul, I suffer.  I have realized that when I neglect meditation or
somehow break any of the principles of Jainism, the consequences tend to show
themselves very quickly.  It can be a struggle at times doing what we know is
right, but it is also very rewarding.  In any case, Jainism allows us to
realize that everything is a choice.  This is a very powerful idea that can
and will transform our lives if we remember and practice it.

Following Ahinsa in daily life is an inspiration to those who still engage in
all forms of violence.  We can eliminate so much of the violence in the world
by being truly nonviolent. A little over fifty years ago, Gandhi showed the
world that nonviolence is stronger than violence.  It is certainly more
difficult at times, but in the long run it prevails.

We can try to get happiness from the world, or we can look within for the
truth about happiness.  The Jinas out of their compassion for all beings made
the path of true happiness clear for all.  They let go of everything and
reached the state of keval-gyan.  There was nothing for them to gain
personally by sharing their message.  Yet they left their teachings for our
benefit.  It is up to us to decide whether or not we will follow these
teachings.  They are there for us.  It is up to us individually whether or
not we will be liberated.  We are fortunate in that we have available to us
the ingredients to a truly happy life and the means to experiencing the
qualities of the Perfect Soul.



Gabriel Figueroa may be reached at VeganGF@...  A version of this article
first appeared in the souvenir book of the July, 2000 Fourth Biennial Young
Jains of America Convention held in Los Angeles.
--
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```````````````````````````````````````
HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY
http://www.hindibooks.8m.com
Booksellers and Publishers
Hirabaug, C. P. Tank,
Mumbai 400004 INDIA
Phone: +91-22-23826739
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Dear Friends,

Jai Jinendra!

Please see the attachment containg the details of Jain
Dirctory Project.

-Mahavir Sanglikar

__________________________________________________
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--- In jainfriends@yahoogroups.com, "Mahavir" <msanglikar@y...>
wrote:

Jains want observers at Ayodhya excavation
Press Trust of India
Jodhpur, March 11

A social organisation of Jains, which has staked claim over the
disputed land in Ayodhya, where the Archeaological Survey of India
(ASI) is undertaking excavation on a court's order, on Tuesday
demanded that a representative of the Jains be allowed as observer
while the excavation is on.
A team of four representatives of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and
Jains should be formed and allowed to witness the excavation by the
ASI to ascertain if a temple existed on the site where Babri Masjid
was built, Jain Samta Vahini (JSV)said in a statement here.

The JSV demanded that it be made a party in the ongoing legal battle
to settle the issue because "historical records showed that the
disputed structure stood over a Jain temple".

The JSV said it remained aloof from the "ticklish issue so far as it
was being sought to be resolved by violent means by cetain
quarters", but it decided to become a party in the dispute when
judiciary decided to find what lay beneath the foundation of the
disputed structure, national general secretary of the JSV Praveen
Kumbhat and organisational general secretary Sohan Mehta said in a
joint statement.
--- End forwarded message ---

I am concerned to send the following Resolution proposed by me and
unanimously passed in the monthly Meeting of the Maharashtra StateMinorities
Commission:

Bal Patil

Member, Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, Government of Maharashtra,
Chairman, Jain Minority Status Committee, Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha, INDIA,
Co-Author: JAINISM (Macmillan Co). with Colette Caillat, (ex-Rector, Sorbonne
  University, Paris,) & A.N. Upadhye, (ex-President, All-India Oriental
  Conference,)

Author: Supreme Court's volte face on Constitutional Amendment

54, Patil Estate, 278, Javji Dadaji Road, Mumbai-400007. INDIA
Tele: 91 022 23861068
Fax:  91 022 23893030
EMail: president@...
              balpatil@...
Website: http://www.globaljains.com


Feb.25, 2003,

Dear  Shri  Khandwanisaheb,

I am seriously concerned to draw your attention  to the following article
  published in the Milli Gazette issue dt.Feb.22, 2003 as follows:

Mr.Danish A. Khan in his article Nationwide ban on cow-slaughter mooted in
  The Milli Gazette issue dt.Feb.22, 2003 has stated  that : "Followers of
  Jain religion and a sect of Buddhists are known to propagate the teachings
  of non-violence and strictly avoid eating meat. But, the fact is that even
  their founders could not exempt themselves from devouring meat. Gautama
  Buddha, founder of Buddhist religion, is known to have eaten beef and pork.
  Vardhmana Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is said to have consumed the
  meat of a cockerel." (Emphasis supplied) I have enclosed a copy of the
  article in question.

Mr.Khan's assertion is  irresponsible, and scandalous in the extreme causing
  a very grave hurt to the basic religious faith in ahimsa of the Jain
  community in particular. It is a scurrilous comment which is bound to cause
  a grave religious hurt to the followers of these two great ancient Indian
  religions.You can imagine my profound shock as a Jain  at  such  scandalous
  comments published in a well-known Muslim newspaper.

I am writing a strong letter condemning the writer of this article and its
  publication to the editor of Milli  Gazette. I will ask for an unqualified
  apology from the writer and also the editor for its publication.

In the meanwhile I appeal to you and my fellow-members on the Maharashtra
  State Minorities Commission  to pass a Resolution strongly condemning this
  article deeply injurious to the religious sentiments by making scandalous
  comments. If the apology is not forthcoming I shall be constrained to take
  up the matter to the Press Council of India for appropriate action

With best regards,
Yours sincerely

(Bal Patil)

---------------------------------------------

        MAHARASHTRA STATE MINORITIES COMMISSION



                                        RESOLUTION



The Commission condemns and takes a strong exception to the tendentious,
  false and highly derogatory comments made by Shri Danish A. Khan in his
  article "Nationwide ban on cow-slaughter mooted" published in The Milli
  Gazette Feb.22, 2003 stating that Bhagwan Mahavira ate meat which is
  injurious to  the basic religious faith of the Jain and Buddhist
  communities. The Maharashtra State Minorities Commission calls upon the
  Editor of The Milli Gazette  and the writer, Shri Danish  A. Khan to tender
  an unqualified apology and publish it prominently in The Milli Gazette.



(Sd.  Shri Khandwani,)

         Chairman,

Maharashtra State Minorities  Commission

--- In jainfriends@yahoogroups.com, "Mahavir" <msanglikar@y...> wrote:
JAIN TEMPLE IN FATEHPUR SIKRI

Times of India - April 5, 2000

Did Akbar build Fathepur Sikri over a temple?

By Nikhat Kazmi

NEW DELHI: Did Akbar build Fathepur Sikri over a temple? According to
the recent excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India, the
heritage city not only rests over a temple, but the state of the
idols excavated also point towards mutilation and defacement.
According to D.V. Sharma, superintending archaeologist, ASI ``the
fracture marks on the statues proves they were defaced by chisels and
hammers and there is evidence of a demolition of a temple.''


Presenting the findings of his excavations in an illustrated talk
here on Tuesday, Sharma showed slides of the remains of a temple
under Bir Chhabili Tila, a mound near the monument along with the
existence of a water palace under the Anup Talao, within the premises
of the monument. The ASI team which began its excavation since
December has discovered mutilated Jaina images, including the remains
of a temple with rubber masonry and mud mortar walls measuring 1.35
metres in width.

More important is the discovery of an idol of Goddess Sarasvati with
an inscription on its pedestal. According to Sharma, the sculpture,
in a standing tribhanga posture, was fixed on a pedestal and was
found damaged at its foot, placed with its face downwards near a
wall. ``The circumstantial evidence, supported by the marks near the
foot suggest that the believers tried to uproot and remove the
sculpture in advance,'' says Sharma. The inscription dates back to
1010 A.D. and this statute ``in Jaisalmeri stone is quite unlike the
usual murtis of Saraswati which are generally cast in marble,'' he
explains.

Beneath the Anup Talao, the team has also found a huge jar, 12 feet
high and 8 feet wide. ``We have named it Ganga Sagar, because it was
used for storing Ganga water, during Akbar's time too,'' says Sharma.
Matching the dramatic tenor of the ASI excavations was the reaction
that followed the talk. Satish Grover, Professor School of
Architecture and Planning wanted to know if the ASI had any policy on
``ripping apart'' ancient monuments which were part of the national
heritage. ``We all know that India is a rich and ancient country,
built on layers and layers of civilisation. There could be a temple
beneath the Taj Mahal too. Will the ASI dig that up too?'' he
queried.

Sharma however insisted, the effort was not to destroy the present
heritage but only to find out the truth. ``We are here to correct the
interpretation of palaces and monuments, not to rip apart
monuments,'' he elucidated. But the fact thet the matter had already
become politicised was evident, when the Chairman of the Indian
Archaeological Society, S P Gupta, circulated a paper on the
excavations which concludes: ``There is ample proof of (a) the
destruction of the Jain temple, (b) the sculptures being vandalised
without exception. There is no evidence of Hindu vandalism at the
site. What is the other language of this destruction if not
`demolishing temples' by the Muslims.''
--- End forwarded message ---

--- In jainfriends@yahoogroups.com, "Mahavir" <msanglikar@y...> wrote:
New controversies add to excavation

Ayodhya, March 16

New controversies are being raised each passing minute as a a special
team of the Archaeological Survey of India carries out an excavation
at the disputed site here to determine whether a temple lies buried
underneath.

The Jains and the Buddhists have renewed the demand for their
representatives in the process of excavation being carried out from
March 12 on the directive of the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High
Court.

Muslim parties in the dispute have, meanwhile, demanded that the
excavation should not be treated as a 'precedent' and are seriously
contemplating to move court in this regard.

Babri Masjid Coordination Committee chairman Syed Shahbuddin declined
to comment on the court order.

The excavation should not be made a precedent and should be confined
to the Ayodhya issue only, he said.

He might move an application in this regard in the court on March 24,
he informed.

He said the excavation being carried out by the ASI should be done
under the supervision of a commission deputed by the court. As ASI
was under the Central government, it could come under pressure from
officials, he said.

Such a commission, he said, could have archaeologists and historians
from both the communities.

Recently, Sunni Waqf Board had raised the question of the labourers
belonging to a particular community and in a memo given to the ASI
team leader B R Mani said if the issue was not resolved, they would
raise the question in the court on March 24 when the special bench
would hear the Ayodhya case.

Jains have, meanwhile, voraciously demanded the inclusion of their
representative at the excavation site.

Talking to UNI, manager of the Digambar jain temple Sudhir Jain said
since there were several Jain temples in Ramkot, the area where the
disputed site is located, there were possibilities of archaeological
findings related to the Jain religion.

He said Ayodhya was sacred to Jains since five Tirthankaras including
the first Jain Tirthankar Lord Rishabdev, Ajitnath, Abhinandan Nath,
Samitnath and Anantnath had taken birth in Ayodhya.

Since there were 400-year Jain temples in the Ramkot area, Jain
representative should be included at the excavation site, he said.

Jain said he could not enter the excavation site as he did not
possess a pass. He would raise the issue at the 'Mahamastabhishek'
ceremony on March 26 on the occasion of Lord Rishabhdev's
anniversary.

Buddhists too have demanded the inclusion of their representative at
the excavation site.

Baudh Parishad spokesman Harishankar Safriwala claimed the existence
of ancient Buddhist viharas in the Ramkot area and said the
unearthing of findings related to Buddhist religion could not be
ruled out.

He, therefore, said Buddhists should be allowed access to the
excavation site.

Many Hindu organisations including the VHP have, meanwhile, welcomed
the excavation which was carried out today amid tight security.



UNI
--- End forwarded message ---

Hi!

We have launched a Jain discussion group in Spanish
language. We have about 110 members right now, mostly
from Latin America.

If you can discuss in Spanish language we need your
help. Please join the group at:
http://ar.groups.yahoo.com/group/Jainismo/

Please take part in the discussions going on there and
answers the questions about Jainism asked by the
members.

Mahavir Sanglikar


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
http://platinum.yahoo.com

50. Q: Who said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about
  things that matter"?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

19 March 2003

Friend,

I am forwarding to you what I received this morning by email. I also heard
  the Parliamentary Discussion of UK last night. Blair was forceful and so was
  the leader of the majority party in the opposition, in support to the war
  efforts, but Liberal Democrat Mr Kennedy's speech and the fact that Robin
  Cook and some other ministers in Blair government decided to resign as they
  differed from the government policy on war on Iraq is ample proof of deeper
  reasons than getting the 'tyrant Saddam' out; and who are the US and UK to
  decide to do that when the International opinion is against the adventure?
  Public opinion within the UK is strongly against the war and in the US it is
  split almost 50:50. We are familiar with how public opinion is swung in the
  US in the guise of Patriotism and 'danger to the security of the people of
  the US' scare fanned by the US media. Bush himself got elected by a margin
  that speaks volumes for the moral authority that he does not possess in such
  a grave matter.

Please read on and do not remain silent about things that matter.

Sudhir

===========================================================================
Subject:         Fwd Worth Reading
     Date:         Tue, 18 Mar 2003 20:17:29 +0530
    From:         Sujit Patwardhan <sujit@...>
       To:         (Recipient list suppressed)

18 March 2003

Forwarded message below:

Dear All,
Something we all should read.
--
Sujit


Subject: sent by Cecily plathottam for quick action

FACTS THAT PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL IN THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW

After reading the facts shown below Do you agree that

BUSH & BLAIR SHOULD BE ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY AND SHOULD BE TRIED IN THE
  INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE FOR CAUSING THE KILLINGS OF MILLIONS OFPEOPLE
  IN THE WORLD SO FAR AND NOW READY TO DESTROY THE HUMANITY THROUGH THEIR WAR
  MONGERING

1. Q: What percentage of the world's population does the U.S. have?
A: 6%

2. Q: What percentage of the world's wealth does the U.S. have?
A: 50%

3. Q: Which country has the largest oil reserves?
A: Saudi Arabia

4. Q: Which country has the second largest oil reserves?
A: Iraq

5. Q: How much is spent on military budgets a year worldwide?
A: $900+ billion

6. Q: How much of this is spent by the U.S.?
A: 50%

7. Q: What percent of US military spending would ensure the essentials of
  life to everyone in the world, according the UN?
A: 10% (that's about $40 billion, the amount of funding initially requested
  to fund our retaliatory attack on Afghanistan).

8. Q: How many people have died in wars since World War II?
A: 86 million

9. Q: How long has Iraq had chemical and biological weapons?
A: Since the early 1980's.

10. Q: Did Iraq develop these chemical & biological weapons on their own?
A: No, the materials and technology were supplied by the US government, along
with Britain and private corporations.

11. Q: Did the US government condemn the Iraqi use of gas warfare against
  Iran? A: No

12. Q: How many people did Saddam Hussein kill using gas in the Kurdish town
of Halabja in 1988?
A: 5,000

13. Q: How many western countries condemned this action at the time?
A: 0

14. Q: How many gallons of agent Orange did America use in Vietnam?
A: 17 million.

15. Q: Are there any proven links between Iraq and September 11th terrorist
  attack? A: No

16. Q: What is the estimated number of civilian casualties in the Gulf War?
A: 35,000

17. Q: How many casualties did the Iraqi military inflict on the western
  forces during the Gulf War ?
A: 0

18. Q: How many retreating Iraqi soldiers were buried alive by U.S. tanks
  with ploughs mounted on the front?
A: 6,000

19. Q: How many tons of depleted uranium were left in Iraq and Kuwait after
  the Gulf War?
A: 40 tons

20. Q: What according to the UN was the increase in cancer rates in Iraq
  between 1991 and 1994?
A: 700%

21. Q: How much of Iraq's military capacity did America claim it had
  destroyed in 1991?
A: 80%

22. Q: Is there any proof that Iraq plans to use its weapons for anything
  other than deterrence and self defense?
A: No

23. Q: Does Iraq present more of a threat to world peace now than 10 years
  ago? A: No

24. Q: How many civilian deaths has the Pentagon predicted in the event of an
attack on Iraq in 2002/3?
A: 10,000

25. Q: What percentage of these will be children?
A: Over 50%

26. Q: How many years has the U.S. engaged in air strikes on Iraq?
A: 11 years

27. Q: Were the U.S and the UK at war with Iraq between December 1998 and
  September 1999?
A: No

28. Q: How many pounds of explosives were dropped on Iraq between December
  1998 and September 1999?
A: 20 million

29. Q: How many years ago was UN Resolution 661 introduced, imposing strict
  sanctions on Iraq's imports and exports?
A: 12 years

30. Q: What was the child death rate in Iraq in 1989 (per 1,000 births)?
A: 38

31. Q: What was the estimated child death rate in Iraq in 1999 (per 1,000
  births)? A: 131 (that's an increase of 345%)

32. Q: How many Iraqis are estimated to have died by October 1999 as a result
of UN sanctions?
A: 1.5 million

33. Q: How many Iraqi children are estimated to have died due to sanctions
  since 1997?
A: 750,000

34. Q: Did Saddam order the inspectors out of Iraq?
A: No

35. Q: How many inspections were there in November and December 1998?
A: 300

36. Q: How many of these inspections had problems?
A: 5

37. Q: Were the weapons inspectors allowed entry to the Ba'ath Party HQ?
A: Yes

38. Q: Who said that by December 1998, "Iraq had in fact, been disarmed to a
level unprecedented in modern history."
A: Scott Ritter, UNSCOM chief.

39. Q: In 1998 how much of Iraq's post 1991 capacity to develop weapons of
  mass destruction did the UN weapons inspectors claim to have discovered and
  dismantled? A: 90%

40. Q: Is Iraq willing to allow the weapons inspectors back in ?
A: Yes

41. Q: How many UN resolutions did Israel violate by 1992?
A: Over 65

42. Q: How many UN resolutions on Israel did America veto between 1972 and
  1990? A: 30+

44. Q: How many countries are known to have nuclear weapons?
A: 8

45. Q: How many nuclear warheads has Iraq got?
A: 0

46. Q: How many nuclear warheads has US got?
A: over 10,000

47. Q: Which is the only country to use nuclear weapons?
A: the US

48. Q: How many nuclear warheads does Israel have?
A: Over 400

50. Q: Who said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about
  things that matter"?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

by Charles Sheketoff,
Executive Director,
Oregon Center for Public Policy,
PO Box 7, Silverton, OR 97381

PS: And 2 more I (TW) would add:

51: What developed country gives the least non-military foreign aid per
  capita? A: the US (less than one-tenth of 1%)

52: How many Iraqis were among the 19  9-11 terrorists?
A: 0.

From: "Sudhir Jain" <mrsudhirjain@...>

Dear Sadharmi Bandhu,
Sadar Jai Jinendra.

Renowned Jain Scholar and Archeologist Shri Niraj Jain of Satna (M.P.) (
  E-mail : nirajjain1@... ) has been selected for fourth Sahu Ashok Jain
  Memory Award of Rs. one lac. The award giving ceremony has been organized on
  13th April 2003 at Pared Ground, infront of Red Fort, New Delhi.

This award was started three years ago in the memory of late Sahu Ashok Jain,
  Chairman of Times of India Group and Bhartiya Gyanpeeth under the auspicious
  guidance of Pujya Acharya Vidhyanandji Maharaj. Every year this Award is
  given to one prominent Jain personality of good repute in various fields.

Shri Niraj Jain has Written more than two dozen books on various religions
  and spiritual topics. Most popular are - Jain Monuments at Khajuraho,
  Gomatesh Gatha (translated in Kannada, Marathi & Gujrati), Manavata kee
  Dhuri, Ratangiri ke Bahubali, Karahta Kundalpur, Rakshabandhan etc. Hundreds
  of his articles have been published in various magazines, papers etc.He is
  well known orator of Jain and Hindu Philosophy and regularly invited for
  delivering talks (Pravachana) in every part of India as well as in U.S.A.,
  Canada, U.K., South Africa etc.Shri Niraj Jain has deep knowledge of
  Archeology. He has taken thousands of photographs of archeological monuments
  and collected archeological idols, ancient hand written manuscripts,
  tadpatras, coins etc. He is associated with many national committees related
  to Jainism such as Shree Digamber Jain Mahasabha, Akhil Bhartiya Vidwat
  Parishad, Shravanbelgola Managing Committee etc.

With kind regards,
-Sudhir Jain,
Universal cables Ltd., SATNA (M.P.) 485 005, India.
E-mail : mrsudhirjain@...
and        mrsudhirjain@...

-------------------------------------------------------

--
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````\
```````````````````````````````````````
HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY
http://www.hindibooks.8m.com
Booksellers and Publishers
Hirabaug, C. P. Tank,
Mumbai 400004 INDIA
Phone: +91-22-23826739
Email: manish.modi@...

Dear Friends,
Jai Jinendra

http://www.jainworld.com is now available in the Russian language as well.
For all Russian speakers, Jainism is accessible to you in Russian now.
Please visit http://www.jainworld.com

Manish

````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````\
``
HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY
http://www.hindibooks.8m.com
Booksellers and Publishers
Hirabaug, C. P. Tank,
Mumbai 400004 INDIA
Phone: +91-22-23826739
Email: manish.modi@...

Prakrut, Sanskrut (Prakrit, Sanskrit) Languages
Certificate Caurses.


________________________________________________________________________
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