Santhara Conference draws Distinctions Between Age-Old Practice and Suicide, and Examines Scriptures and Legal Aspects
International Mahavira Jain Mission held on October 4, 2015, a day-long conference on the practice of Sallekhana (also called Santhara,Samadhimaran, Panditmaran, among other names) at Siddhachalam in Blairstown, NJ.
Video messages were received from Param Pujya Gacchadipati Acharya Shree Vijay Nityanandji Surishwar MS, Param Pujya Pramaan Sagarji MS, Param Pujya Manak Muniji MS, and Bhattarak Swami Chrukeerthiji, while Param Pujya Amrinder Muniji MS, Samani Suyashnidhiji, and Samani Shruthnidhiji participated in the conference along with Prof. Tikam Chandji Jain, Advocate Vijay Choudhary (represented the defendant in the Rajasthan High Court and is now filed appeal with the Supreme Court) and Shantiji Parakh. The conference was moderated by Jaipat Singhji Jain and led by Kulbhushanji Jain, president of IMJM.
Siddhachalam is pleased to place in the public domain the following videos at the time: messages were received from Param Pujya Gacchadipati Acharya Shree Vijay Nityanandji Surishwar MS, Param Pujya Pramaan Sagarji MS, Param Pujya Manak Muniji MS, and Bhattarak Swami Chrukeerthiji. All videos including conference video will be uploaded shortly.
Param Pujya Pramaan Sagarji MS
Keshi said to Gautam: “Whom do you call foes?” Hearing these words of Keshi, Gautam replied: “O sage! The first foe is one’s unconquered soul. Add to this the four passions of anger, conceit, deceit and greed, and the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Vanquishing all these ten, I move about righteously.” Kumar-shraman Keshi said: “Gautam, you are endowed with excellent wisdom. You have removed my doubt…” Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23:3- 39. The conversation between Sharman Keshi, follower of Bhagwaan Parsvanath, and Gautam Swami, the ganadhara of Bhagwaan Mahavira.