President of the United States of America Joe Biden has greeted people of the Jain faith on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, becoming the first US President to do so.
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism. This year, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 21.
“Jill and I wish a joyous Mahavir Jayanti to people of the Jain faith,” Biden said in a post on X. “Today, let us continue to recognise the values Mahavir Swami embodied and celebrate by spreading love, joy, and harmony,” said the post.
Ajay Bhutoria, an eminent Jain community leader and President’s Advisor on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Commissioner, warmly welcomed Biden’s message.
In his statement, Bhutoria expressed deep appreciation for Biden’s recognition of the significance of Mahavir Jayanti to the Jain faith. He also highlighted the timeless teachings of Mahavir Swami, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, emphasising on the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), truthfulness, non-possessiveness, and self-discipline.
Bhutoria stressed upon the relevance of Mahavir’s teachings in today’s world and said that amidst global challenges, the values of love, joy, and harmony were more vital than ever. The community leader also thanked President Biden for his commitment to celebrating diversity and promoting understanding among different communities.