'The whole world is but one family' - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Australia

April 2010 Vol. 7 No. 10
Celebrations
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated during the Hindu
lunar month of Chaitra and the festivities last for
one day. Mahavir Jayanti occurs on the thirteenth
day of Chaitra, right around the time of the full
moon. Chaitra is equivalent to the months of March
and April. The entire Jain community throughout
the country celebrates Mahavir Jayanti. On this
auspicious day, grand chariot processions with the
images of Mahavira are taken out, rich ceremonies are
held in the temples, fasts and charities are observed,
The Jains observe religious events on this day. They
visit the sacred sites and worship the Teerthankars
on this day. The event holds special significance in
Gujarat and Rajasthan due to the ancient shrines at
Girnar and Palitana. In Kolkata too, this festival is
celebrated with great fervour at the Parasnath temple.
Even at Pawapuri in Bihar Mahavir Jayanti holds a
special significance.
His Teachings
Lord Mahavir was a great teacher. His philosophies
and teachings taught mankind the true path of
happiness. His teachings on complete non-violence
and importance of austerity showed us the path to
achieve salvation and spirituality. The religion of
Jainism does not believe in God as a creator, survivor,
and destroyer of the universe. Jainism explains that
eight types of Vargana and five bodies exist in the
universe. The spiritual power and moral grandeur of
His teachings impressed the masses greatly. He made
religion simple and natural, free from elaborate ritual
complexities. His teachings reflected the popular
impulse towards internal beauty and harmony of the
soul. He did not believe in grandeur and elaborate
rituals. According to Mahavir, attachment to material
objects is the primary cause of bondage and is also
the cause for greed and jealousy. According to the
Jain dharma, the goal of life is to attain liberation.
The Jain scripture, Jain Agamas Siddhantas, preaches
the doctrine of Ahimsa or non-violence. According
to this doctrine, all objects have a soul, and should
not be hurt or killed. His main teachings involve that
it was the greatest sin to cause injury to creatures,
and that it was the greatest virtue to renounce
worldly possessions and practice strict asceticism.
Orthodox Jains could not even take to farming,
because it involved tilling which killed earthworms.
His message of non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya),
non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahmacharya),
and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal
compassion.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day on which Jesus Christ
was crucified. Jesus Christ was born to Marry in
Nezareth—a small town in Israel. He was the founder
of Christianity, one of the world’s largest religions.
Christ is believed to be an incarnation of God. It is
believed that on Good Friday, Christ was arrested by
clergymen. Some people believe that ‘Good’ in Good
Friday is referred to as ‘God’ and it is also a common
belief that ‘Good’ is referred to the gift brought by
martyrdom. And according to one of the views, on
this day, it is Jesus who went to heaven. It is also
celebrated as a festival of life and spirit. Some believe
the term “Good” evolved from “God” or God’s Friday.
Good Friday this year is on 10th April.