Atmarpit Nemiji at Parliament of the World’s Religions The 8th Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in October 2021, sought to gather the world’s global interfaith movement to celebrate the enduring spirit and work of religious and spiritual communities striving toward a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Organised virtually for the first time, the event had the theme ‘Opening our Hearts to the World: Compassion in Action’. With the blessings of Pujya Gurudevshri, Atmarpit Nemiji represented Jainism on the plenary stage on the final day as a special luminary speaker. He spoke alongside distinguished spiritual leaders like H. H. the Dalai Lama, Dr Jane Goodall, Rev. William Swing – URI, Dr Azza Karam – Religions for Peace amongst many others. In his moving speech, Nemiji mentioned, “Compassion has no religion. Compassion needs no religion. Compassion is religion! And in the words of the great luminary Shrimad Rajchandraji Himself, there is no greater religion than that of compassion”. Quoting the Jain motto of ‘Parasparopagraho Jivanam’, Nemiji shared that all life forms are linked in a fundamental natural phenomenon of symbiosis or mutual dependence and are sustained by the free-flowing love of compassion amongst all beings. It is the stagnation of this flow that has created a stench of distrust and insecurity in the world today. Highlighting the importance given to the virtue of compassion in Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra by Param Krupalu Dev and also by Pujya Gurudevshri in His discourses, Nemiji gave a clarion call to all the keepers of religion that let every act and ritual inspire the love of God to flow towards all life without exception. Indeed, the devotion and passion brimming in Nemiji’s voice left the audience stirred and inspired. During the event, breakout sessions were conducted by Atmarpit Shivaniji on ‘Understanding of Karma theory for better interpersonal relations’ and by Atmarpit Snehalji on ‘Snatra Puja: Celebration of Lord Mahavir by celestial God’.
