Moodbidri: Bhattaraka Swamiji of Jain Math Holds Talks with Vasai Archbishop Felix Machado
Courtesy : Mangalorean.com | Published Date : 2014-07-18
Moodbidri: World peace and inter-faith dialogue and amity were the subject of discussion when Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado of Vasai, who is also the chairperson of the Commission for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Dialogue of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference, called on Swasti Shri Bhattaraka Charukeerti Swamiji of the Jain Math here on Thursday. He was accompanied by Mangalore diocese's judicial vicar Fr Valerian Menezes. The Archbishop said that the welcome and hospitality he received in Jain Kashi and from the Swamiji had highly impressed him. He said that he had been deeply influenced and motivated by the contribution of Bhagwan Mahaveer towards world peace and his teachings. He further said that the bond between the Jain and Christian communities should promote peace in Mother India.
The Swamiji flanked by the Archbishop and Fr Valerian The Archbishop also held talks with the Swamiji about holding an all-faith conclave in Moodbidri, in preparation for the world meet of religions to be held in Chicago USA in 2015. Speaking exclusively to this writer, the Swamiji said that after the Barcelona conclave in 2004, the two communities had been drawn much closer to each other. There has been regular exchange of views and thoughts ever since between the two communities. The very fact that the Archbishop's visit here coincided with the 143th birth anniversary of Digambar Acharya Shanti Sagar had added to the significance of their meeting. He further told this writer about the close ties that the Jain community had with the Christians, esp., in and around Moodbidri. The Swamiji was happy to mention that when a church was being built in Miyar in Karkala taluk, his grandfather during the pre-ascetic phase of life had contributed timber for its roofing and fixtures. The goodwill and unity between the communities should be strengthened, said the Swamiji. P Anantaraj Indra, principal of Swasti Shri College of Moodbidri, was also present on the occasion.
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