News on Jainism around the World

Summary

The news section titled “News on Jainism around the World” compiles brief reports illustrating the diverse concerns of the global Jain community in the year 2000. Conservation of heritage emerges as an important theme in the first report on the 17 rock‑cut beds of Jain ascetics atop the 300‑foot hill at Sittannavasal near Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu. Dating to the second century BCE, these beds and their Brahmi inscriptions are threatened by indiscriminate quarry blasting at the foot of the hill. Local historians and officials appeal for stricter regulation of explosives and for the cessation of quarry leases. Newspapers such as The Hindu (7 July 2000) note that the Archaeological Survey of India plans to protect the rock‑cut complex and adjacent cave, which already shows cracks due to high‑pressure blasts. Other reports focus on legal rulings that affect Jain religious practice. The Mumbai High Court affirmed that observing the “Be Tithi” calendar and performing “Navangi” guru worship are not illegal or contrary to Jain tenets. The ruling, widely covered in The New Indian Express and other outlets, settled a dispute within the Swetambar Murti Pujak Tapagaccha Sangh, which had attempted to ban Navangi worship. Justice Rajan Kochar held that trusts administering Jain upāśrayas (monastic halls) could regulate administration but not prescribe modes of worship; he emphasised that Guru Vandana depends on the devotee and the guru. The court thus reinforced the plurality of Jain rituals and the autonomy of worshippers. Two cultural items celebrate Jain traditions. An article on the centenary of the “Lampless Jain Temple” in Mattancherry, Kerala describes the lamp‑less worship practised by Sthānakvāsī Jains, who avoid idols, lamps and flowers to minimise harm to living beings. The celebration coincided with Paryushan Parva (August–September 2000), during which lay Jains undertake fasting, penance and collective forgiveness (kṣamāpanā). Another piece reports on the International Seminar on Aspects of Jainism held at the University of Warsaw on 8–9 September 2000—the first major Indological event in Poland. The seminar brought together scholars from around the world, illustrating the growing global interest in Jain studies. The section also highlights institutional recognition and philanthropy. The Rajasthan High Court recognised Jains as a religious minority, allowing educational institutions established by Jains to claim minority status under Articles 29 and 30 of the Indian Constitution. This ruling followed a petition by the Vijay Shanti Educational Trust and clarifies that Jains form a distinct religious community despite their small population. Meanwhile, the Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation presented its 2000 Mahaveer Awards to individuals and institutions for propagating non‑violence, vegetarianism and social service, including the Chennai Cancer Institute and Tripura Adivasi Mahila Samithi. Speakers at the award ceremony stressed Jainism’s contributions to education, healthcare and interfaith harmony. Other brief notes report on seminars in Chennai commemorating Mahāvīra’s 2600th birth anniversary and on general research grants for Jain scholars.