Ahimsa Award

The Ahimsa Award is an annual award given by Institute of Jainology in recognition of individuals who embody and promote the principles of Ahimsa (Non-violence). It was established in 2006 and has since been awarded at the annual “Ahimsa Day” event, on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.[1]

The event is normally held at the Palace of Westminster - House of Commons of the United Kingdom in London where various members of Parliament are invited to speak.[2] It is bestowed by the Directors of the Institute of Jainology, an international body based in UK, representing the Jainism faith.[3]

Ahimsa Day

Ahimsa Day was established by the Institute of Jainology[4] and has been celebrated annually[5] in London since 2002.[6] It was created to bring awareness of Ahimsa (non-violence) as it applies in Jainism. The event takes place in early October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,[7] who amongst other great leaders was inspired by the Jain philosophy of 'ahimsa'.[8] In 2007, the United Nations declared that the International Day of Non-Violence would take place on 2 October, the birth date of Mahatma Gandhi. This annual event highlights the principle of non-violence and the worldwide desire for peace.

History & Background

Ahimsa, (The principle of non-violence), is a concept adopted by most Indic traditions, primarily Buddhist, Hindu and Jain philosophy . The political and social application of Ahimsa was given universal recognition by Mahatma Gandhi who fought the campaign for the independence of India with the doctrine of ahimsa as the cornerstone.[9]

Ahimsa in Jainism, is a well-established core principle even before the time of Mahavira, the 24th Thirthankara in the 5th century BC,.[10] The principle of Ahimsa in Jainism states that one should do no harm by word, thought or deed, nor ask others to, and nor condone that which is done.[11]

Past Winners

References

  1. ↑ Banks, Marcus (1992). "Organizing Jainism in India and England". Oxford Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology series (Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press) 3.
  2. ↑ "Jon Ashworth MP spoke at the Ahimsa Day celebrations in London".
  3. ↑ "Directors of the Institute of Jainology".
  4. ↑ Balbir, Nalini. "Ahimsa Day".
  5. ↑ "Historic Day for Jain-Catholic Relations". The Catholic Church in England and Wales.
  6. ↑ Balbir, Nalini. "Ahimsa Day".
  7. ↑ Rao, M.S. "Messenger of Non-Violence and World Peace".
  8. ↑ "Jainism - Only One Way Out".
  9. ↑ Anthony Pare, Lexington Books, 2000 "Gandhi, Freedom, and Self-Rule"
  10. ↑ Goyala, Śrīrāma (1987). "A history of Indian Buddhism". Kusumanjali Prakashan. pp. 83–85.
  11. ↑ Jaini, Padmanbh S (1998). The Jaina Path of Purification. Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 8120815785.
  12. ↑ {{cite web|title=List of Awards and Honours bestowed upon Nelson Mandela|url=[[List of awards and honours bestowed upon Nelson Mandela#2006|publisher=Wikipedia}}]]
  13. ↑ "First IOJ Ahimsa Award given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela". Phayul.com.
  14. ↑ "Awards and Honours 2000 - 2013". The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
  15. ↑ Report by Office of Tibet, London "First IOJ Ahimsa Award given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela", Tuesday, October 09, 2007
  16. ↑ "H.H. Acharya Mahapragya Honoured with IOJ Ahimsa Award 2008" (PDF). Page 6.
  17. ↑ "JVB London Salutes Ahimsa Award 2008 Recipient HH Acharya".
  18. ↑ "HH Acharya Mahapragya Honoured with IOJ Ahimsa Award 2008 in London". herenow4u.
  19. ↑ "Prof. Padmanabh Jaini CV Berkeley, Fellowships, Awards, Honours" (PDF).
  20. ↑ "About Padmanabh Jaini".
  21. ↑ "Ahimsa Day celebrated in the Parliament". Asian Voice. 6–12 November 2010.
  22. ↑ "The Annual Mahavir Jayanti Lecture". Prof. Balbir, Winner of the Ahimsa Award 2010.
  23. ↑ "Nitin Mehta Receives Prestigious Ahimsa Award". Young Indian Vegetarians.
  24. ↑ "CCF Founder Scott Neeson Honoured with 2012 AHIMSA Award".
  25. ↑ "Scott Neeson Founder at Cambodian Children's Fund, Honours and Awards".
  26. ↑ "Animal Rights Activist Receives Non-Violence Award". Veg News.
  27. ↑ "Carnism Awareness and Action Network, Dr Melanie Joy, Founder President".
  28. ↑ "Incorporating Compassion for Farmed Animals". Forks over Knives.
  29. ↑ Vegans, Jain. "Recent Jain Vegan News 2014". Jain Vegans: GroupSpaces. Jain Vegans UK.
  30. ↑ Jainology, Institute of. "Institute of Jainology celebrates 13th Ahimsa Day at the House of Commons". Institute of Jainology.

External links

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