The Jain Minority Development Economic Corporation has launched a 'Jain Marathi Vishwakosh,' an encyclopaedia on the Jain religion, to commemorate Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, the birthday of Bhagwan Mahavir on April 20. The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute and other academic institutions will assist in the preparation of the encyclopaedia. Lalit Gandhi, the chairman of the Jain Minority Development Economic Corporation in Mumbai, said the encyclopaedia will be a useful tool for learning about the rich history of Jainism and how it has influenced Indian culture.
Gandhi said, “On April 10, the book's production will begin. Pali, Prakrit, and Marathi have been designated as classical languages by the Indian government. To move the recognition ahead, historical Jain manuscripts in Pali and Prakrit will be made available in Marathi for persons who do not understand the old languages. In addition to religious philosophy, ancient engineering, science, medicine, and temple architecture are also included in Jain scriptures.”
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From the first spiritual leader, or tirthankara, Rishabh Nath, to Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last tirthankar, the encyclopaedia will span more than 5,000 years of Jain history from antiquity to the present. For the encyclopaedia project, a committee of distinguished authors, academics, and specialists has been assembled by the Jain Minority Development Economic Corporation, under the direction of Chairman Lalit Gandhi. Jains assembled at more than 6000 locations worldwide on Wednesday to recite the Navkar Mahamantra in support of world peace and prosperity. The event, which was organised by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO), took place between 8.01 and 9.36 am (IST). Acharya Naypadmasagar Suri encouraged followers to recite the mantra, which is an obeisance to spiritual entities, nine billion times—once for each and every human being—in a message to the community.