JOIN US Chikkamagaluru Urban Development Authority (CUDA) President D S Chandregowda said tolerance can be maintained by following the teachings of Bhagawan Mahaveera, the last Theerthankara of Jainism.
He spoke after inauguarting Bhagawan Mahaveera Jayanti programme organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Kannada and Culture Department at Kuvempu Kalamandira in the city on Tuesday.
The CUDA president said that Bhagawan Mahaveera has given the message, ‘Live and Let Live’ to the entire world. Bhagawan Mahaveera carried out austerities to realise the self and propagated non-violence, he observed.
Inner self
Presiding over the programme, legislator C T Ravi said that the Jain religion focuses on realising the inner self. The religion warns against the illegal accumulation of wealth. All countries must go through the teachings of Mahaveera on non-violence, he said.
Delivering a lecture on the occasion, K Omkarappa said Jainism in one of the ancient religions in the world. Jainism has made great contributions to Kannada literature. It states that one should develop oneself. The 24 Theerthankaras simplified the Jainism, he added.
Casteless society
He said Bhagawan Mahaveera strove for a casteless society. Jainism states achievement is more important than caste, he remarked.
Deputy Commissioner S P Shadakshariswamy, CMC President Devaraj Shetty, Jain Samaj President Gautam Chand Siyal, BSP leader Radhakrishna and Kannada and Culture Department Deputy Director Ramesh were present.