Jain World Peace Centre JVB (London) News Letter Jan-June
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Jain Vishva Bharati London (JVBL) I s s u e 2 | J a n - J u l y 2019 J AIN WORLD PEACE CENTRE LONDON (JWPC) 39 Roxborough Road Harrow, HA1 1NS (United Kingdom) ( + 44) 20 8427 1757, + (44) 7950 606 462 E m a i l : [email protected] JVBL International Reflections Trustees Inspiration Hasu Vora (Chair) Jeet Dhelaria Jain Vishva Bharati (JVB) was Manick Choraria violence),Sanyama (moderation) established in 1970 with the great and Anekanta (divergent Pragna Damani visionaries Acharya Shri Tulsi and Pushpa Banthia perspectives). It endeavours to Acharya Shri Mahapragya in create an environment of unity and Rajeev Shah Ladnun (Rajasthan) India. Rajesh Jain harmony in society and inculcates Later in 1980, under the guidance individual transformation, which in Sunil Dugar of the same great gurus a special turn leads to spiritual upliftment category of Jain monks/nuns of Treasurer and enlightenment. Samans/Samanis was established Mr. Bansi Shah Jain Vishva Bharati ‘London’ (JVBL) that relaxes a few of the stringent has been established since Executive Committee Jain ascetic restrictions; thereby 2003 and operates under the President allowing them to travel and auspices and guidance of London- Pragna Damani propagate the message of Lord based Respected Samanijis in Mahavira within and outside India. accordance of the philosophy laid Executive Committee out by Late Acharya Shri Tulsi, Vice-President JVB envisions a violence-free Late Acharya Shri Mahapragya and Dr. Sunil Dugar individual and society in mind, the current - His Holiness Acharya communication and action that Shri Mahashraman. Joint Secretary inspires the whole world towards Avni Amlani Peace. JVB also aims to empower Dinesh Kanuga the individuals and the society to practise Ahimsa (non- Gyanshala Members Harrow - Prachi South Gate - Sweta Watford - Megha Message from the Chair & Trustee JVB London Library Team Mr. Hasmukh J. Vora Anurag Jain Amit Garg With the blessings of H.H. Gurudev seamless support and valuable Acharya Mahashramanji, I am guidance. With the blessings of Media Members extremely pleased to inform you H.H. Acharya Tulsi, H.H. Acharya Amit/Suman Baid that we have successfully Mahapragyaji and currently H.H. Rajeev Shah established the ‘Jain World Peace Gurudev Acharya Mahashramanji, Yashika Jain Centre’ in London. This will be the we have been blessed with the Traffic Management lighthouse for values and virtues of presence of Respected Samanijis Representative Jainism in the UK, Europe and for over twenty years in London. Paresh Mehta beyond. In fact, the journey started during Acharya Tulsi’s centennial Moreover, my special thanks to all the supporters and volunteers for Interfaith celebrations and we made a their motivation and inspiration, Representatives commitment to ourselves to build a without which this would not have Bipin Sheth Peace Centre to be a beacon of been possible. H a s m u k h J . V o r a Nita Sheth tranquillity and spirituality. Today, Chair & Trustee the idea has transformed into We are laying the foundations for a JVB London Bhaktambar reality. constant spiritual upliftment for Representative: I would also like to express my ourselves and our future Meena Gandhi gratitude and sincere thanks to all generations. This will be a Centre Neeta Sheth Samanijis especially to Dr. Samani of spiritual nectar for the entire Pratibha Pragyaji for all their UK, Europe, Middle East & Africa. 1 | P a g e REFLECTION OF JWPC Message from Executive Committee President & Trustee JVB London Mrs Pragna Damani My first involvement with JVB do the Masters in Jainology, that they encounter. Acharya was in 2008, when my son got which I never thought I could Tulsi had the vision of how to engaged with Reena do, but with her perseverance maintain harmony in the (Hasubhai’s younger brother’s I did it. She always gave me society. I truly bow down to daughter). My son and his the right advice. We were so him for his great vision of fiancée decided to have the lucky and fortunate to have sending trained Samanijis joint blessings on their Sadhvi Prasanna Pragyaji and outside of India to provide us engagement from Jain Nuns. Samani Rohit Pragyaji at our with first hand teachings from In 2008, there was Sayer home also for couple of days. their wealth of knowledge in Centre in Cricklewood. I still My personal views for the Jainism and other philosophies. remember that afternoon very good values in life are, as Mrs Pragna Damani We are truly blessed to have President & Trustee well. We went to the Centre parents and grandparents, it is JVB London and for the first time met our duty to sow the seeds of the Samanijis 24/7 (365 days) with us. Samani Prasanna Pragyaji, good moral into our children Since, Samanijis have who then became Sadhviji from the very young age. This appointed me as President of Prasanna Pragyaji. From that will help our children can the Executive Committee; I am day onwards, I would say, my become a good human being truly honored and with the life has changed. I was so in the society. A good moral help of all committee members touched with her kind heart, education will not only nurture would like to take our JVB from great personality, leadership, in young people a core set of strength to strength and may wealth of knowledge, which I moral beliefs and values, but God grant us the blessings. cannot describe here. She also teach them how to apply encouraged me to do the these beliefs and values in Jainism Certificate course, critical and creative ways to which I agreed straightaway. solve the real moral problems She further encouraged me to JVB London 150th birthday celebration of Mahatma Gandhi JVB London was invited to Commissioner of India to UK, about Peace in the world. attend a celebration in honor Ruchi Ghanashyam, Lord The meeting took place on of the 150th Birth celebration Parekh, the Special Guest Monday 8 July 2019 from 4 pm of Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - Speaker and other guests to 6pm in the Committee Room, 1948) and the relationship with including MP Gareth Thomas House of Lords, Westminster. the Parsees. We went to the and Lord Billimoria. The Zoroastrian (Parsees) All event on 8th July 2019 at the The talk started with Ahimsa Party Parliamentary Group House of Lords. Parmo Dharam, words used by organized the event. The chief guests were, Her Gandhiji in 1900, showing the Excellency the High influence of Jainism to bring WCOME We warmly welcome you, your family and friends to our Centre. We believe that “Wisdom” is eternal and priceless, for which there should be no charge. However, you are welcome to donate any sum which will help us to reach out to the bigger community to lead better lives. 2 | P a g e {Editor P Damani} | {Proof Reading A Jain, S Baid} | {Designer Y Jain} REFLECTION OF JWPC JVB Shibir at Buxton Camp on 19 May 2019 In keeping with the tradition of JVB The journey to Manchester Derasar, return back to London and safely reached London’s annual retreat, this year it was provided many on the coach, another London around 7pm, after a spellbound organised in Buxton. Respected Samani Dr. opportunity to nap after the light lunch. spiritual journey over 3 days. Pratibha Pragyaji & Samani Unnata Pragyaji led the retreat with the theme Dissolve We arrived at Manchester Derasar around the Past & Evolve the Future, from 4 pm. Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April. After the big warm welcome by the Vinubhai Shah liased directly with White Manchester community with the Hall Outdoor Education Centre, Buxton, razmatazz of music and chandala garland Derbyshire, to provide JVB with good ceremony, all entered the beautiful Derasar. package. Once again, the Samnijis along with their The group’s catering needs were managed by taking along a cook and carrying the committee members recited “Mangalik” necessary ingredients to prepare all the and “Moti Shanti”. delicious and healthy meals over the three days. We joined in their opening ceremony of an adjoining new hall near the Derasar. Five Derasar Pilgrimage was included in the The Samanijis’ blessings with their retreat. presence made the opening celebrations of the hall a special and spiritual touch. The day started with Samaninji’s Mangalik and prayers at Kenton Derasar, which was For opening of their new hall, two ladies also the meeting point. The coach departed had taken the Kumbha with the dancing at 8.30 am. and chanting of “Lord Mahaviras”…. Our second stop at around 9.30am was the After the ceremony, we all had idli, Potters Bar Derasar, where the Samanijis sambhar, tea & coffee. and all of us were warmly welcomed by the committee members and Jayeshbhai. We left Manchester around 5.30 for our final destination Buxton, where we were The Samnijis recited “Loggass” and going to stay for two nights. “Manglik” with all the members present. We were lucky with the weather as we The hospitality did not stop at serving us a were bestowed with clear sky and hot breakfast, tea & coffee, but we were all sunshine for all three days. The country given packed snacks for our journey. side itself was so beautiful that all of us really had great time with Samanijis as The children were playing games at the our Gurus and fortunate to spend three back of the coach, whilst the adults had days with them. good nap after the filling brunch at Potters Bar Derasar. On our return journey to London, the final pilgrimage was at Birmingham We reached Leicester Derasar around 1 pm Derasar. We reached around 2.30 pm in and were welcomed with a fanfare of dhol, the afternoon.