Marking the Institute of Jainology’s 25 years, a special Ahimsa Anniversary Award was presented to The Prince of Wales during his first-ever visit to the UK’s largest Jain Temple in Potters Bar.
Chairman of the Institute of Jainology, Nemu Chandaria OBE, and Rex H Shah President of Oshwal Association UK greeted HRH The Prince of Wales.
Arshna Sanghrajka, an expert on Jain Temple architecture, then took HRH The Prince of Wales on a tour around the magnificent and unique Jain Temple.
Thereafter, a reception was held in the newly refurbished Assembly halls of the Oshwal Association UK, where HRH The Prince of Wales met members of the community, inter-faith representatives and other distinguished guests.
HRH The Prince of Wales was presented with an Ahimsa Award during his first-ever visit to the UK’s largest Jain Temple.
The Ahimsa Award is bestowed each year on an individual who has demonstrated Ahimsa, or peace and non-violence, through compassion towards animal life, alleviation of poverty or suffering, or protection of the environment.
He also met with Centre trustees, worshippers and distinguished guests including the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Countess of Verulam, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Fergus McMullen, Cllr Peter Ruffles, Vice-Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council and Les Page and Mrs Bette Philpot, the Mayor and Mayoress of Welwyn, Hatfield Borough Council.
HRH The Prince of Wales also unveiled a special plaque to commemorate his landmark visit. Addressing attendees, HRH The Prince of Wales said: “I am enormously flattered that you have invited me here to open your newly refurbished Assembly Halls and to tour your magnificent temple.” Commenting on the meaning behind the many carved patterns, the structure and unique architecture of the “Derasar” temple, which is a listed-building, and is aligned on its North Easterly axis, he said: “It is as if every inch of the building reflects the meaning of those universal principles which underpin all of the world’s great sacred traditions.”
“I was particularly struck by the fact that each carved stone or section of the building arrived here from Central India like bits of a giant jigsaw, and they fitted together so precisely and perfectly that the pieces themselves hold up the entire structure.”
Centre President Rex Shah said: “Today’s visit by HRH The Prince of Wales to our temple is historic. It’s a remarkable day for us all, memories of which we shall treasure forever. We take enormous pride in all that we do at our temple and for this to be acknowledged and appreciated by our future British heir apparent, is a symbol of our success so far.”
There are around 5,300 Jain families in the UK, that’s a community of over 25,000. With ancestral roots in India and in parts of East Africa, the Jain community is among the most law-abiding, enterprising, with many of its younger members emerging with highest marks from some of the UK’s top-ranking academic institutions, going on to secure senior positions in the private and public sectors.
Commenting on the Ahimsa Awards, Tushar Gandhi, great grandson of Mahtama Gandhi said: “These awards are a symbol of my great grandfather’s campaign for peace, justice and non-violence. He earned tremendous respect and credibility through his diplomacy, and I’m delighted that HRH The Prince of Wales has received this prestigious award.”
Dr Mehool Sanghrajka from the Institute of Jainology (Executive Director of the JAINpedia project), said: “For so many years you have emphasized the critical importance of taking better care of this interconnected and increasingly fragile world. You have been a resolute champion of the natural environment and have been unwavering in your appeal for action for a sustainable future, while yourself advancing a range of practical initiatives to further this goal.
The Ahimsa Award also recognizes the contribution you have made to encourage interfaith dialogue, a greater mutual understanding amongst adherents of the world's faiths and acceptance of religious diversity.
Your words and actions have resonated with us and we wish to acknowledge and encourage them.”
Mr Chandaria OBE of the Institute of Jainology, which represents all Jain organisations in the UK, was delighted and said that: “There are 30 Jain community organisations in the UK, and we are all united under the ‘One Jain’ banner; with the Institute of Jainology representing Jains in government and inter-faith matters. Indeed, we are proud to have had so many faith leaders, and now HRH The Prince of Wales visit our Derasar. It’s a remarkable day for us all, memories of which we shall treasure forever.”
The Oshwal Centre is home to the Oshwal Association of the UK, a registered charity established in 1968. Its core objectives include raising awareness of Jainism through recognising and rewarding ordinary members for their extraordinary achievements, helping the needy, encouraging an education and promoting the protection of the environment, as well as ‘ahimsa’ peace and non-violence.
photo courtesy: Jagdeep Shah
