Proceedings and papers of National Seminar on Jainology

Author(s): Yugalkishor Mishra
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 16

Inaugural Address of
Padmashri K. N. Prasad
You have done me a great honour by inviting me to inaugurate this National Seminar on 'Jainism-Its Contemporary Relevance'.
When I was first approached to perform this task, I felt extremely diffident and apologetic-diffident because of my inadequacy to address an audience of intellectuals and scholars; and apologetic because of my inept knowledge of the religions of the world. Being born and brought up in a traditional Hindu family, my religious education has been limited to stories and folklores passed on to us by our elders; discourses and recitations of professional priests at religious festivals; and compulsive reading of some Vedic Scriptures, the two epics and Bhagvatgita, not in my quest for knowledge but in pursuance of a routine chalked out for our vacations and impossed on us by an unsparing grandfather.
Now, when I reflect on my religious faith and beliefs, I find myself unable to accept a dogmatic approach to any religion and also, to some commonly accepted beliefs about the existence of a kingdom of God; His dispensation of justice after one's death; and fears and hopes of a life in Heaven or Hell according to His dispensation. In fact, I have yet to feel fully convinced about the cycle of rebirth till one attains Nirvana, However, I am a staunch believer in the universality of what distinguishes 'good' from 'evil', 'virtue' from 'vice' and finally, in the role of recognized moral values for the instruction and improvement of man. I also believe that the degree of stability, peace and harmony in any society, community, country and even the world is directly related to the moral development or degenration of man.
I am happy to be in your midst this morning for reasons more than one. This invitation has given me an opportunity, for the first time, to visit this historical land of the Lichchhavis hallowed and sanctified by the meeting of the two great minds-Lord Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. The principles and philosophy enunciated by them have a significant commonality in their basic thrust towards an all round development of man through gentleness, generosity, purity, calmness, introspection, spirituality and finally, renunciation of the material desires.
Religion and their founders have exercised tremendous influence in shaping the birth and development of human civilizations. The story of our