Jai Jinendra ,

Doctrine of Non-Violence

And

Three Gandhis 

The world knows Gandhi as one of the most respected human beings of the 20^th Century for liberating India after 200 years of British Rule. He practiced and preached Ahimsa (non-violence) and non-cooperation. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa and others followed his examples to alleviate the sufferings of their fellow human beings by employing the doctrine of non-violence.  

Virchand Raghavji Gandhi represented Jainism at the First Parliament of World Religions held at Chicago in 1893. While there, he shared the central principle of Jainism: Ahimsa. Ahimsa is as basic for survival as air and water, but too often it is forgotten.  It is as necessary as any basic need and if not practiced, its absence assures mutual annihilation. 

It took the world 60 years to formally recognize the most important principle of humanity – non-violence and its champion, Gandhi ji. On June 15, 2007, 140 nations unanimously passed the resolution at United Nations to declare October 2 ^nd as the International Day of Non-violence. 

In continuation of the International Day of Non-violence, two member states of the UN, Pakistan and the Philippines, moved to hold a High-Level Dialogue on Inter-religious and Intercultural Cooperation for Peace and Non-violence.  This took place on October 4, 2007, during the opening session of the General Assembly. The United Nations held an online contest to select panelists to hold the interactive hearing with civil society, ministerial representatives of the member states of the UN and the members of civil society organizations and UN agencies. 

Chosen from among thousands of applications, Dr. Sohanlal Gandhi, President of Anuvibha, (an NGO accredited by the UN) was the only applicant from India to be selected as one of the panelists at the UN. It is also a matter of great pride that he represented Jainism at this international forum. 

The two panels of the high-level dialogue met in the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the UN headquarters on the afternoon on Oct. 4, 2007.  It was the first time that such a wide range of people from across the world came to know of Mahavir's invincible weapon of Anekant and its use in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. It is hoped that Jains will be able to use this platform provided by the UN for spreading the ideals of Ahimsa and Anekant in the future. 

In his opening speech Dr. Gandhi said, "Lord Mahavir – who lived 2500 years ago and a contemporary of Lord Buddha said that ahimsa (nonviolence) is the basis of our survival. He also asserted that, " one should not injure, subjugate, enslave, torture or kill any animal, living being, organism or sentient being. The doctrine of ahimsa is immaculate, immutable and eternal." He further stated, "Injurious activities inspired by self-interest lead to evil and darkness. This is what is called bondage, delusion and death. To do harm to others is to do harm to oneself. Thou art he whom thou intends to kill! Thou art he whom thou intend to tyrannize over!" 

He elaborated on non-violence and went on to speak about other principles of Mahavir. His speech was well accepted, and he went on to speak of the universal concept on Anekantvad and even its implication on salvation. Salvation, he noted, is not limited to a certain religion or its sects. 

The following day, Dr. Gandhi had the privilege of reciting the Navkar Mantra and explaining its meanings to fellow panelists and priests from inter-religious groups at the Morning Prayer at the Baha'i' Prayer Center. The day ended with more agreement and ideas from various nations at the United Nations General Assembly Hall. For a moment, the UN appeared as though it had become a spiritual summit. The corridors of the UN reverberated with voices of love, cooperation and ahimsa.

 I was joined by JAINA Interfaith Committee Co-chair Arvind Vora and Dr. Panna Shah to witness this historical moment. Many political and religious leaders expressed their appreciation of Dr. Sohanlal Gandhi and his views. 

Anuvibha has planned the Sixth International Conference on Peace and Nonviolent Action from December the 23^rd to the 30th, 2007 to be held at the Peace Palace Rajsamand, 60 kilometers from Udaipur (Rajasthan) – the city of lakes.  The conference will host an international dialogue on the challenge of violence, hunger and poverty, and an interfaith dialogue on partnership for peace. Additionally, it will provide a nonviolence training camp 

Please let me know, if you would like to be part of this conference. We will send you more details and help you make transportation arrangements. 

Kirit C. Daftary 

Past President,

JAINA

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