A JAIN REFLECTION ON KING RICHARD III AND HIS LEGACY Our Leicester Centre was the first Jain Deraser (temple) in Europe. Indeed it is the centre of the Jain Samaj (community) for the whole continent. Established in 1989, it has proved extremely popular, attracting visitors from all over the UK – and the rest of the world. Located a few minutes’ walk from Leicester Cathedral and the King Richard III Visitor Centre, we expect the Jan Centre to be discovered by many new admirers following the reinterment of King Richard III. The best-known principle of Jainism is Ahimsa: the practice of non-violence to all beings. Indeed, a well-known quotation from Jain scriptures states, “Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult, torment, torture or kill any creature or living being.” So why should we be joining our fellow citizens in honouring a warrior-king, who died on the battlefield, fighting in civil war? Life is full of contrast, opposition and paradox: the ideals of our religion are viewed against the demands and requirements of the physical world. Rather than something to be denied or ignored, this meeting of opposites makes belief and practice dynamic, transformative and rewarding. This creative tension is seen in one significant association here. King Richard III shares his birthday (2 October) with the man most closely associated with Ahimsa, not only in personal terms but also for social change: Mahatma Gandhi. Statues of both have stood men in Leicester for several years: Gandhi draped in a single cloth, with his walking staff; Richard in his armour, brandishing a sword. Leicester is just the place where you would expect to see the lives and legacies of both men celebrated publically. This may seem unexpected, but when one has an eye for these things, it’s not quite so surprising. This fits with another Jain principle: Anekantvad – accommodating multiple viewpoints from differing perspectives. With this in mind, the vibrant local, national, indeed European Jain community gladly shares this historic moment for our city. King Richard III fell in the Battle of Bosworth amidst dreadful violence. Now he is given sanctuary and peace – the very qualities to be found at the Jain Centre. Dr Ramesh Mehta & Smita Shah Jain Samaj Europe