The Ahimsa Award ( Mahaveer Mahatma Award ) is an annual award given by the Institute of Jainology in recognition of individuals who embody and promote the principles of Ahimsa (nonviolence). It was established in 2006 and has since been awarded at the annual "Ahimsa Day" event, on 2 October, 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 the UK, representing the Jain 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 (nonviolence) 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.
History and background
Ahimsa, (the principle of nonviolence), is a concept adopted by most Indic religious traditions, primarily Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain. 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
- 2006 Nelson Mandela[12]
- 2007 Dalai Lama[13][14]
- 2008 Acharya Mahapragyaji[15][16][17]
- 2009 Padmanabh Jaini[18][19]
- 2010 Nalini Balbir[20][21]
- 2011 Nitin Mehta[22]
- 2012 Scott Neeson[23][24]
- 2013 Melanie Joy[25][26][27]
- 2014 Ingrid Newkirk[28][29]
- 2015 Charles, Prince of Wales[30]
- 2015 Ann Cotton[31]
- 2016 Rajendra Singh[32]
- 2017 Ravinder Singh[33]
- 2018 Shantilal Mutha[34]
- 2020 Peter Tabichi[35]
References
- ↑ Organizing Jainism in India and England. Oxford Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology Series({Template:Date).
- ↑ Jon Ashworth MP spoke at the Ahimsa Day celebrations in London. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
- ↑ Directors of the Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day, Balbir, Nalini.
- ↑ Historic Day for Jain-Catholic Relations. The Catholic Church in England and Wales.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day, Balbir, Nalini. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
- ↑ Messenger of Non-Violence and World Peace, Rao, M.S..
- ↑ Jainism - Only One Way Out. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
- ↑ Anthony Pare, Lexington Books, 2000 "Gandhi, Freedom, and Self-Rule"
- ↑ Goyala, Śrīrāma (1987). "A history of Indian Buddhism". Kusumanjali Prakashan. pp. 83–85.
- ↑ The Jaina Path of Purification{{#if:Jaini|, Jaini}. Motilal Banarsidas(1998). ISBN 8120815785
- ↑ First IOJ Ahimsa Award given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. Phayul.com. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
- ↑ Awards and Honours 2000 - 2013. The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- ↑ Report by Office of Tibet, London "First IOJ Ahimsa Award given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela" Template:Webarchive, Tuesday, October 09, 2007
- ↑ H.H. Acharya Mahapragya Honoured with IOJ Ahimsa Award 2008.
- ↑ [{{{url}}} JVB London Salutes Ahimsa Award 2008 Recipient HH Acharya].
- ↑ HH Acharya Mahapragya Honoured with IOJ Ahimsa Award 2008 in London. herenow4u.
- ↑ Prof. Padmanabh Jaini CV Berkeley, Fellowships, Awards, Honours. Retrieved 2014-05-15.
- ↑ About Padmanabh Jaini.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day celebrated in the Parliament. Asian Voice(6–12 November 2010).
- ↑ The Annual Mahavir Jayanti Lecture.
- ↑ Nitin Mehta Receives Prestigious Ahimsa Award. Young Indian Vegetarians.
- ↑ CCF Founder Scott Neeson Honoured with 2012 AHIMSA Award. Retrieved 2014-05-15.
- ↑ Scott Neeson Founder at Cambodian Children's Fund, Honours and Awards.
- ↑ Animal Rights Activist Receives Non-Violence Award. Veg News.
- ↑ Carnism Awareness and Action Network, Dr Melanie Joy, Founder President. Retrieved 2014-05-15.
- ↑ Incorporating Compassion for Farmed Animals. Forks over Knives.
- ↑ Recent Jain Vegan News 2014. Jain Vegans: GroupSpaces. Jain Vegans UK. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
- ↑ Institute of Jainology celebrates 13th Ahimsa Day at the House of Commons. Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ HRH the Prince of Wales – Welcome and Ahimsa Award Citation – Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day 2015 at the House of Commons – Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day 2016 – Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day 2017 – Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ 16th Annual Ahimsa Day Celebration at the House of Commons – Institute of Jainology.
- ↑ Ahimsa Day 2020 Saturday, 24th October 2020 – Institute of Jainology.