PRESS RELEASE

19^th April 2004

2^nd ANNUAL AHIMSA DAY CELEBRATION at the HOUSE OF COMMONS

Ahimsa or Non-violence is the first and foremost precept of Jain philosophy takes this precept to its subtlest level by defining the elements of nature as living beings and have respect towards its rights. Its relevance today could not be any greater not only to our deteriorating environment but also to the prevailing atmosphere of terrorism and war, because it teaches both tolerance as well as compassion.

The programme, at Portcullis House, House of Commons, was hosted by Mrs Laura Moffat, MP and Treasurer of Labour Friends of India in the presence of His Excellency the High Commissioner of India, Mr Kamalesh Sharma and Mr Gareth Thomas, MP, Minister for International Development.

After the recitation of the most auspicious prayer of the Jains, the Navakara Mantra, and lighting of a lamp by Dr (Mrs) Kala Acharya, Director of the K J Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham of Mumbai.

Mrs Laura Moffat, MP, welcomed the guests and at the same time recounted her pleasant experience of meeting a Jain person at recent Asian Ladies conference  and how impressed she was in learning about how the Jains accommodate each others needs in a large family environment.

Ashik Shah began his address on the topic of Ahimsa, by welcoming the opportunities for Jains to enter dialogue at places like the House of Commons. Addressing the key role of Ahimsa, to Jain practice and philosophy, he looked at how it had been narrowly understood. He spoke of the need for us all to enrich our encounters and enhance our self-representation. He spoke of the centrality of the concept of Soul to Jain Dharma and how it actually enriched and animated the approach to Ahimsa of the Jains, sighting modern examples, including the impact of the Jain, Shrimad Rajchandra on Mahatma Gandhi.

Mr Gareth Thomas, MP who has just returned from a visit to India talked about how the UK Government plans to assist Indian Government’s plans for improving educational standards. He also suggested that it would be good for the members of the House to understand the quartet of passions and how to calm them.

Stephen Pound MP Chairman of Labour Friends of India was eloquent as ever in expressing his admiration for the faith and talked about its vastness and depth. Peter Luff MP was equally appreciative of the philosophy and suggested that today’s world would do well to adopt many of the Jain principles.

The common thread amongst all members of the House was that the program must become a regular event at the House.

The programme was interspersed with musical interlude and short plays by young performers from the Young Jains of the UK, and Shri Chandana Vidyapith of South London.  These were prepared especially with AHIMSA as their theme.

Dr S.K. Somaiya from the K J Somaiya Institute of Mumbai gave a short introduction to their new book published jointly with the Institute of Jainology, titled: INDIAN PHILOSPHICAL TERMS: GLOSSARY and SOURCES.  The book was launched formally by H.E. the High Commissioner of India.

H.E. the High Commissioner of India who has only recently taken up his post expressed eloquently his views on Ahimsa. He said that though the philosophy is over two and a half thousand years old. Its relevance to day and for this millennium could not be any greater than at any time in human history.

The Institute’s Honorary Secretary, Harshad Sanghrajka outlined the various partnerships developed by the Institute with the other institutions and the wider community. He appealed to the community members to support the Institute both by volunteering to undertake some of its work and also materially to ensure the continuity of its good work for the future generations.

After a vote of thanks, there was a finger buffet which gave everyone the opportunity to mingle as well as discuss the finer points of AHIMSA.

The programme was attended by several senior members of both Houses, academicians, leaders of the Jain community and other faiths. Mr Ashwin H. Mehta compeered the programme.