"Apology is not enough, Forgiveness is necessary" - Sambodh Muni

Udaipur : The Department of Jain Studies and Prakrit at Mohanlal Sukhadia University’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities organized a lecture series on the occasion of the "Kshamavani Festival and World Friendship Day," as directed by the Chief Minister’s Office of Rajasthan.

Dr. Jyoti Babu Jain, the program coordinator and department head, informed that the keynote speaker was Muni Sambodh Kumar Medhansh, a follower of Acharya Mahashraman, along with Dr. Satyanarayan Sharma from the Nainesh Dhyan Center. The event was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunita Mishra, and the chief guest was Dr. Jinendra Shastri, the State Coordinator of the BJP Disaster Relief & Cooperation Department, Rajasthan.

The special guests included Prof. Hemant Dwivedi, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Jamnalal Hapavat, President of the Digambar Jain Global Mahasabha.

Muni Sambodh Kumar Medhansh stated that words like "sorry," "apology," and "forgiveness" are incomplete; "Kshamapna" (forgiveness) provides the completeness of these concepts. He explained that it is a human weakness to act as a lawyer when it comes to their own mistakes and as a judge when it comes to others' mistakes. "Forgiveness is about forgetting mistakes," he said, adding that forgiveness cannot be realized until we accept each other's existence. He emphasized that the simple rule of the world is that what we give, we get in return. "Where love expands, hatred and bitterness end," he stated.

While chairing the event, Prof. Sunita Mishra, Vice Chancellor of Sukhadia University, expressed that when we forgive someone for hurting us, it lightens our hearts. She added that when the mind is free from stress, peace can be established in the world.

Dr. Satyanarayan Sharma, the second keynote speaker from Nainesh Dhyan Center, explained that just as fire burns everything around it, the passions (kashays) burn the soul, but forgiveness diminishes these passions. He concluded that only through forgiveness can world friendship become meaningful.

Dr. Jinendra Shastri, the chief guest from the BJP Disaster Relief & Cooperation Department, Rajasthan, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma for incorporating the "Forgiveness Festival" into university curricula. He stressed that forgiveness should be sought from those we have wronged, and it should be asked and granted through mind, speech, and action.

Prof. Hemant Dwivedi, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, in his impactful speech, said that "Kshama" is not just a word in the Devanagari script, but Mahavir’s usage of the term made it a widely accepted and beloved concept. He emphasized the practical importance of forgiveness and directed that the department should organize this event every year.

Jamnalal Hapavat, President of the Digambar Jain Global Mahasabha, shared heartfelt thoughts and announced the upcoming inauguration of the "High Research Center Prakrit Bhavan," which is being developed through public participation by the Jain Vidya and Prakrit Department.

Dr. Jyoti Babu Jain, the coordinator and head of the Jain Vidya and Prakrit Department, welcomed the guests and expressed that the word "forgiveness" is not just a Jain principle but an ideal for all of India. He also appreciated the state government's efforts in incorporating the Forgiveness Festival in educational institutions.

The event was moderated by Dr. Sumit Kumar Jain, Assistant Professor of the Jain Vidya and Prakrit Department.

The program was attended by faculty members such as Dr. Ashish Sisodia, Dr. Murlidhar Paliwal, Dr. Piyush Bhadiya, Rekha Wadala, Dharendra Jain, as well as research scholars, students, and dignitaries like Shri Kunthu Kumar Ji, Roshan Lal Awot, Dr. Ashok Jetawat, Chandan Singh Dhakad, Lakshmi Lal Salvi, and Purnima Bokadia. The event concluded with a collective forgiveness ceremony.

The successful coordination of the event was supported by Prof. Digvijay Bhatnagar, Officer-in-Charge of the National Service Scheme and Assistant Dean. Dr. Jyoti Babu Jain, Program Coordinator and Head of the Jain Vidya and Prakrit Department, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, was also present.