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PM Summons Mahavir's Ideals Rs 5, Rs 100 Coins Released NEW DELHI: Several functions have been held to mark the conclusion of the year-long elebrations to commemorate the 2600th birthday of Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, on April 25. Speaking at a function organised by the Jain community in New Delhi on the occasion, Prime
Minister AB Vajpayee threw light on the relevance of thetenets of Jainism such as tolerance, non-violence and brotherhood in today's strife-torn world. However, referring to the current violence in Gujarat, he said, "distortions and disruptions are a temporary phase and that life returns to normal shortly".
In the context of excessive dependence on materialism, he said the society
needs a spiritual orientation and recalled the contributions of Mahavir,
like the concepts of pluralism and secularism. Stones are the most inanimate,
but look at them lying around the Jain temples, they seem to convey
something to the beholder, he said.
Vajpayee also released commemorative coins of the denominations of Rs 5 and Rs 100 on the occasion. Home Minister LK Advani, who was also present, explained the precepts of ratnatraya - three jewels - of Jainism: right faith, right knowledge and right action.
In view of the Mahavir cenetenary, the government has launched renovation
of Jain temples throughout the country at a cost of Rs 50 crore. Tableaux depicting the teachings of Mahavir were taken out through the city by the Jain community as part of the celebrations. .
-India
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