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________________ Quarterly Magazine of Federation of Jain Associations in North America JAIN DIGEST VOLUME 11 Jamnagar NUMBER 1 268 / / / l Pratishtha Mahotsava JAINA Convention June 28 - July 4, 1995 and Chicago, IL
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________________ JAIN TEMPLE, WASHINGTON, DC 12 Cardiology Vinod K. Shah, MD, FAC.C. Adinath A Patil, M.D. FACC. Mahesh P Shah, MD, FACC. Anantha K.Rao, MD, FAC.C. Anil K. Shah, MD Gastroenterology Umed K Shah, MD, F.A.C.G. Atul R. Shah, MD, FACG Nayan R. Shah, MD, FACG Pulmonary Kiran D. Mehta, M.D., F.C.C.P. Internal Medicine Anwar T. Munshi, M.D. Bhasker A. Jhaven, M.D. Rita B. Jhaveri, M.D. David M. Federle, M.D. Mary Kramer, MD Pediatrics Ila V. Shah, M.D.F.A.A.P M.FO. Lafeer. M.D.F.A.A.P. AS Dhillon, MD, FAAP Kint Patel, MD, FAAP Amit Sheth, M.D., FAAP. Family Practice John F. Fenwick, MD J. Patrick Jarboe. M.D. Thomas F. Lusby. M.D. Robert J. Bauer, MD John L. Bennett, MD Radiology Phil M. Chamberlain, M.D. Halappa G. Hakkal, MD JAI JINENDRA aha! aho! zrI sadaguru, karuNAsiMdhu apAra 311 474% R TY CUT, 3HET! 36T! 340hp (828) Thanks! the Holy True Teacher! Unfathomable ocean of compassion; I'm highly obliged; Oh! good Teacher, The Pupil poor has no expression. (124) Leonardtown Offices Shanti Medical Center Route 5. P.O. Box 661 Leonardtown, MD 20650 301-475-5579.75-5524 St Mary's Medical Arts Building 301-15-5021 . 301-15-5023 Belmont Professional Building 301-15-3040 zuM prabhucaraNakane dharUM? AtmAthI saha hIna, te to prabhule Apiyo, vartu caraNAdhina (125) What should I offer to you, Lord? In soul-comparison all is trifle; The soul is gifted by the Lord, I wish to act to your oracle. (125) - Shri Atmasiddhi Shastra, Srimad Rajchandra - Prince Frederick Office 110 Hospital Road +10-535-1333 Lexington Park Offices 100 Exploration ll . Suite 1030 301-863-701. 301-863-9000 By the Mill Road & Rt 235 301-863-5835 Charlotte Hall Offices Charlotte Hall Medical Center Route 5 301-88322 301-8847330 993 Old Route 5 301-8814606 We dedicate ourselves to ceaseless efforts of Acharya Sushil Kumarji and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, in spreading the principles of Jainism among all the Jains settled in North America. We congratulate the Executive Committee for their devoted service to JAINA. Washington Area 831 University Blvd.. Suite 32 Silver Spring MD 20903 301-415-4430 SHAH ASSOCIATES, M.D.,P.A. Shanti Medical Center, P.O. Box 664, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Phone: 301-475-5579. Metro 301-870-2049 Fax 301-884-7419.org
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________________ Contents President's Message Headquarters News ............... 4 Calendar of Events ................ 6 For Your Information............... 6 Regional News.......................... Affiliate News ...................... Committee News .................. 1995 Convention Program ...... International News ................ Satya, the Truth Publication Fund .... .......... Happy Occasions................... New Life Members ............... Matrimonials ................... Letters to the Editor ............... ................. From the Editor The most visible aspect of JAINA for the society is to see Lord Mahavir's preaching put into practice. The cover of this issue honors that practice, as in building fifty-five houses in Jain Nagar, supporting Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana in raising and education 1,000 orphaned children and fasting for 201 days by Shri Sahajmuni Maharaj for self purification and world peace. In addition, the annual medical camp touches lives of thousands of people in India. It is a matter of great pride that the Jain religion is now being studied at prestigious western universities. We can all be proud of these achievements and resolve to actively participate in the future activities that promote the Jain religion. We acknowledge the long hours spent by the Chicago team to make the upcoming convention a grand success. The Youth wing is seeking your suggestions to make this a memorable event. The twelve-page center section is filled with useful information as you plan your visit to Chicago. Your assistance is needed in keeping the mailing list of the Jain Digest up to date. Our limited resources are wasted when many copies come back with "forwarding address not known". Other Jains wish to get the magazine. So if you move, please inform us in a timely fashion. Jai Jinendra. Harshad Shah It is with great pleasure that I share with you some of my thoughts about how we have been changing the course of the history of Jainism by forging unity among all Jains living in North America and focusing attention on the practice and preaching of Non-Violence. The cornerstone of Jainism, Non-Violence is the need of the hour, call of the day, demand of the time and the answer to numerous problems faced by the society in our adopted homelands - the United States and Canada. With the pioneering work and blessings of Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, we have established the first common Jain Teerth outside of India at Siddhachalam, NJ; built several common Jain temples in North America and formed JAINA as an umbrella organization of all the Jain centers in North America. These accomplishments are important landmarks in our endeavor to build a united Jain Community in North America so that we may retain our heritage. JAINA has been instrumental in bringing about this unity among Jains through its numerous activities including the Biennial Conventions. We have had seven conventions so far. Each Convention has been a growing success. Now every Jain's eyes are fixed on Chicago where the 8th Convention will be held along with the Pratistha of 24 Tirthankars. These twin events will be a once-in-a-life-time experience. The JAINA Conventions have become a great attraction not only for the Jains of North America but also for those living in India and elsewhere. The JAINA Convention provides a great opportunity for participation in religious, social and cultural activities for people of all ages. At present, we are extremely busy in planning the Chacago convention. We want to make it a spectacular convention and have formed a Convention Planning Board which includes the chairs of committees from the Chicago Jain Society and representatives of JAINA from all over North America. The Chicago Jain Temple will be an attraction to the attendees of the Pratishtha and convention. This temple is the largest Jain temple built outside India. It is a symbol of unity representing all the sects of Jainism and therefore a place of pilgrimage. Several common temples have been built or are under construction in North America. The JAINA convention is a helpful format in which to strengthen this wave of unity. JAINA is on the world map of humanitarian activities because of the numerous philanthropic activities undertaken by its World Community Service. The WCS has been putting Lord Mahavir's preaching into practice through its many activities: the recent construction of Jain Nagar for the victims of the earthquake that struck Maharashtra, the contribution to the Rwanda Relief Fund and plan to donate funds to educate the orphaned children of the earthquake are shining examples of JAINA 's involvement in the humanitrian work effort. The JAINA Charitable Trust and the newly established President's Advisory Council will play crucials role in making JAINA a more stable, professional and truly democratic organization. The former will provide the financial stability and the latter the benefits of their leadership experience. In additon, the new mail-in ballot election proceedure for JAINA's executive committee for the next two years will enable every director to exercise his/her voting right. We all are volunteers and have been able to undertake all this work only because of your continued support and trust. If we have not met your expectations in the discharge of our duties, we apologize. Michhami Dukkadam. See you in Chicago. Sincerely, Jagat Jain March 1995 Jain Education international JAIN DIGEST For Pirate & Personal use only
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________________ JAINA Executive Committee JAIN DIGEST Volume 11, No. 1, March, 1995 President - Jagat Jain First Vice President - Manibhai Mehra Quarterly publication of the FEDERATION OF JAIN ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA Regional Vice Presidents Canada - Remesh Jain Midwest US - Niranjan Shah Northeast US - Naresh Shah Editor in Chief Harshad Shah 81 Sable Run E Amherst, NY 14051 Phone: 716/689-9549 Southeast US - Mahendra Dosi Southwest US - Hansa Varia Publishing Editior John D'Arcangelo 665 Minnesota Avenue Buffalo, New York 14215 West US - Harilal Shah Secretary - Ramesh Shah Treasurer - Vinod Doshi Advertising Manager Bhupendra Shah 9858 N. Kedvale Skokie, IL 60076 708/674-0592 Immediate Past President - Sulekh Jain Member Associations of the Federation Regional Editors Canada Mahendra Mehra 26 Vancho Cres Islington, Ont. M9A 472 Phone/Fax: 416/241-2044 CANADA Regular+ Toronto Associate Edmonton Montreal Ortawa Vancouver JAINA Charitable Trust Executive Council Chairman - Mahendra Pandya New York, NY Vice Chair - Niranjan Shah Chicago, IL Comptroller - Dhiraj Shah Buffalo, NY Secrctery General - Bharat Tolia Detroit, MI Members-at-Large Rashmikant Gardi, Chicago, IL Bhupendra Tolia, Norwood, NJ Mahendra Varia, Martin, KY Trustees Khushal Bhaiji, Cleveland, OH Kirit Gosalia, Phoenix, AZ Ashok Jain. Detroit, MI Gyan Jain. Toronto, Ont. Jagat Jain, Buffalo, NY Prem Jain, San Francisco, CA Ramesh Jain. Toronto, Ont. Rajan Jaswa, San Jose, CA Manibhai Mehta, Los Angeles, CA Parvin Mehta, Buffalo, NY Bipin Parikh, Chicago, IL Kundan Sata, Detroit, MI Girish Shah, San Francisco, CA Narendra Shah, Athens, GA Ramesh Shah, Cleveland, OH Vinod Shah. Leonard Town, MD Jitu Turakhia, Syracuse, NY Prabodh Vaidya. Chicago, IL Committees Long Range Planning Ahimsa Day Celebration Prabodh Viadya Surendra Singhvi Bharat Tolia Animal Compassion and Vegetarianism Marriage and Family Counseling Narendra Sheth Fakirchand Dalal Code of Conduct for Jain Spiritual and Marriage Information Service Community Leaders in North America Hasmukh Shah Khusal Bhaiji Media Watch Constitution Update Sushil Jain Narendra Shah Membership Environment and Ecology Jit Turakhia Nancy Jain Museum and Art Gallery Fund Raising - United States Kirit Gosalia Sanjay Pandya Nomination and Election 1995 Bipin Parikh Vinay Jain Fund Raising - Canada Public Relations Lax Nagda Anant Jain Interfaith Activities Manoj Jain Manoj Dharamsi Scholar Visitation Jain Poojas Nirmal Dosi Vinod Shah Summer Camps Arhant Jain Shan Jain JAINA Bulletin Board Service World Community Service Pravin Shah Dhiraj Shah JAINA Temple Guidelines World Council of Jains (Exploration) Maherdra Pandya Rashmi Gardi Jain Awards and Recognitions Manibhai Mehta Young Jains of America Library and Education Urmila Talsania Prem Gada Anil Jain Aashish Vaidya SOUTHEAST Regular Atlanta Miami Associate Augusta Charlotte Ft. Meyers Jacksonville Memphis Middle Tennessee Morgantown New Orleans Orlando Palm Beach Raleigh Midwest US Manubhai Doshi 931 Golden Road Lake Forest, IL 60045 Phone: 708/735-0120 Northeast US Vinay Vakani 206 Sussex Street Oradell, NJ 07649 Phone: 201/967-9344 MIDWEST Regular Chicago Cinncinati/Dayton Cleveland Columbus Detroit St. Louis Associate Minneapolis Milwaukee Tampa Southern US Surendra Shah 1465 Sumter Drive Marietta, GA 30064 Phone: 404/422-1483 SOUTHWEST Regular Dallas Houston Phoenix Asociate Tule Lubbock NORTHEAST Regular Boston Buffalo Cherry Hill Essex Falls Hartford New York Orange Pittsburgh Rochester Washington, DC Anocide Albany Allentown Elmira Harrisburgh Syracuse Southwest US Jadavji Kenia 1819 Plymouth Rock Drive Richardson, TX 75081 Phone: 214/690-3593 WA US Chandrakant Parekh 12914 Wolverton Lane Cerritos, CA 90701 Phone: 310/865-1679 WEST Regular Los Angles San Francisco Associate Portland San Diego Associate Editors Committees Manoj Dharamsi 11820 Triple Crown Road Reston, VA 22091 Phone: 7037620-9837 JAINA HEADQUARTERS 66 Viscount Williamsville, New York 14221 Phone/Fax: 716/688-3030 Feature Articles Manubhai Doshi 931 Golden Road Lake Forest, IL 60045 Phone: 708/735-0120 Affiliates Brahmi Jain Society, US & Canada International A.A. of M. J. Vidyalaya, Rochester, NY International M. J. Mission, US & Canada Jain Meditation Inc'l Center, US & Canada Jain Social Group LA. & Toronto Kutchhi Gurjar Jain Society, Grand Island, NY Shri S. S. Jain Foundation, Toronto, Can. Shri Mahavir Jain Foundation, Santa Ana, CA Hours: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Fresh Ideas From Youth Seema Bhimani 55 Se James Place Piedmont, CA 96411 510/482-0860 Regions: Canada Midwest All Provinces ND, SD, KS, MO, IA, MN, WI. IL, OH, IN, MI, NE FL, GA, AT, MT, LA, AK, TN, SC, NC, KY, WV ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI, NY, PA, MD, DE, NJ. VA, DC AZ, NM, TX, OK, CO, UT AL, WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, HI Southeast JAINA FOCUS JAINA publishes the JAINA Focus monthly newsletter for administrative purposes. It is being sent to all member organizations and committee members of JAINA. All news items for publication in the JAINA Focus must be sent to the Editor (sec address below) by the 10th of each month. Matrimonials Hasmukh Shah 1409 Rising Wind Court Silver Spring, MD 20905 Phone: 301/384-1746 Managing Editorial Board Manubhal Dashi Jagat Jain Ramesh Jain Vijay Jain Publisher- JAINA Manibhai Mehta Dhiraj Shah Harshad Shah Anop Vora Northeast LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We encourage our readers to send their ques tions, comments or views on current issues or concerns facing the Jain community of North America to the Editor in Chief, Harshad Shah (see address above). We will endeavor to publish letters space permitting. The Jain Digest reserves the right to edit all material for clarity and/or space. The views expressed in these letters are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of JAINA. All letters must include the sender's name, address and phone number to be considered for publication. Southwest West Regular Chandrakant Parekh 12914 Wolverton Lane Cerritos, CA 90701 Phone: 310/865-1679 - Two directors on JAINA Board (over 50 families) - One director on JAINA Board (up to 50 families) ++ Asociate Addion please submit all articles typed or on a 3.5 computer dinc in MacWritell or Weed Perfect Macintosh or IBM). The Managing Editorial Board will endeavor to publish the material sent and reserve the right to edit and/or reformat for clarity and or space restrictions. The views expressed in the artides are those af the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Managing Editorial Board of JAINA Publication Dates and Deadlines June 1995 May 15 September 1995 August 15 December 1995 November 15 March 1996 February 15 JAIN DIGEST March 1995 Jain Education Intemational
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________________ Meet the Trustees of the JAINA Charitable Trust Khushal Bhaiji Kirit Gosalia Ashok Jain Rashmikant Gardi Member-at-Large Gyanchand Jain Jagat lain Prem Jain Rajan Jaswa Ramesh Jain Manibhai Mehta Pravin Mehta Bipin Parikh Kundan Sata Mahendra Pandya Chair Dhiraj Shah Comptroller Girish Shah Narendra Shah Ramesh Shah Vinod Shah Niranjan Shah Vice Chair Jitu Turakhia Bharat Tolia Secretary General Prabodh Vaidya Bhupendra Tolia Member-at-Large Mahendra Varia Member-at-Large To become a Trustee of the JAINA Charitable Trust please contact any of the following: Mahendra Pandya ar 718/816-0083, Niranjan Shah at 708/635-7780, Bharat Tolia ar 870/681-5474, Dhiraj Shah at 7161773-1314 or JAINA Headquarters at 716/688-3030 or Fax. JAIN DIGEST March 1995 Jain Education Intemational For Private & Personal use only
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________________ HEADQUARTER NEWS JAINA Convention Planning Board in session Only 450 Families out of 7500 are Life Member of the Jain Digest Preparations for the 8th Biennial JAINA Convention are in full swing. The Convention PlanningBoard President's Advisory Council formed for the first time , comprises the chairs of various committees formed by the Jain Society of Metropolitian Chicago and representatives of JAINA. The larger planning board meets monthly in Chicago while the Chicago committee meets every week to plan for the most successful and best JAINA Convention, ever! . We have mailed over 7500 copies of the Jain Digest, all over the world. This number has been increasing every quarter. Unfortunately the revenue remains the same. The gap between the expenses of publishing and mailing and the revenue generated by ads, donations and interest on the endowment fund has been widening. The people putting the Jain Digest together are all volunteers. By profession they are physicians, professors, engineers, accountants and business people. They have been putting a great deal of their personal time into this community service. But they have been carrying with them the additional burden of financing the publication. Numerous suggestions have been made to save dollars including discontinuing the free subscriptions. We do not want to do this. If we send the Jain Digest only to the Life Members, we will be depriving 94% of families from the benefits of this impor- tant journal. Introducing a subscription policy may have a similar effect. We want to rely on your generosity. At the present time, only 450 families out of 7500 (this represents only 6%) are life members. We appeal to the remaining 94% of you to become Life Members by donating only U.S. $101 which is equivalent to $10 a year for subscription of 10 years. This will put the endowment fund on a strong footing and generate sufficient interest to pay the expenses of publication and mailing. Please join us and help us to help you in getting this valuable Digest in your hand. President's Advisory Council The President has established an Advisory Council consisting of the original signatories of the JAINA Constitution (+), past president (V), convention chairs ((c)), Editors of the Jain Digest O), and recipients of JAINA Ratna Award() so that JAINA may benefit from the leadership experiences of these people. The following individuals are eligible to join this council, based upon their previous participation: Khusal Bhaiji, North Royalton, OH- + Harshad Doshi, Flushing, NY - Manoj Dharamsi, Reston, VA - + V Vinay Jain Wellesley, MA - + Tansukh Salgia, Columbus, OH- + Girish Shah, Campbell, CA-+ Mahesh Shah, Ashburn, VA - + Vinod Shah, Hartsdale, NY - + JAIN DIGEST March 1995 Jain Education Intemational
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________________ Lalit Shah, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India - + Arvind Vora, Kings Park, NY - + Sulekh Jain, Cincinnati, OH - V Naresh Shah, Garden City, NY - Lax Gogri, Bellevue, WA - (formerly of Detroit) - Manu Shah, Oakbrook, ILDinesh Jain, Mississauga, Ont. - Prem Jain, Fremont, CA - Surendra Sethi, Butlar, PA - Vinod Doshi, Monroeville, PA - S. A. B. Kumar, Mississauga, Ont. - ) Surendra Jain, Athens, OH- Duli Chand Jain, Flushing, NY - Prem Gada, Lubbuck, TX - Dhiraj Shah, Grand Isalnd, NY - programs without the distraction of electioneering. The fifty-one member associations are required to submit the name(s) of their incoming director(s) on or before March 15, 1995. The Executive Committee will submit a list of the names and addresses of the current directors to the Election Committee by April 7, 1995. This Election Committee will use this list for: mailing out nomination forms, verifiying the validity of the nominations and for mailing out the ballots. The election Committee will mail out the nomination forms and the election rules to the directors by April 15, 1995. This will allow sufficient time for receiving the ballots by return mail. The mail-in ballots will be opened during the meeting of the Board of Directors which will be held on the day before, or the morning of the opening day of the 8th Biennial Convention. The election results will be announced then. For more information please contact Vinay Jain, Chair - Election Committee at 617/237-5997. Prem Jain is the coordinator of the council. The JAINA Executive Committee Election This year seventy five members of the Board of Directors of JAINA will elect their new Executive Committee for the next two year term 1995-1997 by mail-in ballot before the start of the 8th Biennial JAINA Convention in July, 1995. This is a one of the milestones in the journey to make JAINA a more professional organization. All of these seventy-five directors will be able to participate in the voting process for the first time. Directors will not be deprived of their voting right if they are unable to attend the convention. In addition, those attending the Convention will be able to enjoy the Samansuttam, Major Jain Religious Book All principal religions have their religious books. Christianity has the Bible, Islam has the Koran, Hinduism has the Gita, Buddhism has the Dhammapada and Sikhism has the Gurugranth. Jainism did not have any such book until 1974 the 2,500th Nirvan Anniversary. At that time our major book the Samansuttam, was published in Prakrit and Hindi. This was a great achievement. It was the first time in 2,000 years that a book was complied that all sects of Jainism accepted unanimously. It was a miracle. This book has been translated into English. Our vision is to produce it in quantity, for free distribution. At present we invision printing 8,000 copies for each of the families in North America, We are looking for sponsors for this project. An acknowledgement page will be inserted in the book. For more information please contact: JAINA Headquarters at 716/688-3030, phone or Fax. continued on page 10 JAINA Convention Planning Board in action in Chicago, IL on January 21, 1995 March 1995 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST
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________________ Calendar of Events For Your Information March, 1995 31 International Conference on "Approaches to Jain Philosophy, Logic, Ritual and Symbols" Toronto, Canada Bhaktamar Stotra is available on video tape. It is sung by Anuradha Podwal with commentary by Harish Bhimani. The video will take you on a journey of ancient Jain temples. If you are interested in purchasing this video send your check in the amount of $10.00 plus $3.00 for shipping and handling ($.50 for each additional tape) to Anil R. Shah, Jain Center of Greater Boston, 26 Humbolt Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. Or you may phone 617/272-3666. In order to teach our children Jiv Daya the JCGB will include a bird feeder with each order. April, 1995 1-2 13 30 International Conference continues Last day for Youth Registration for JAINA's 8th Biennial Convention Mahavir Jayanti Last day for Early Bird Registration discount for JAINA's 8th Biennial Convention His Excellency, The High Commissioner of India in England, L. M. Singhvi will be honored by the Jain Academy in cooperation with the Jain organizations of the UK and Brahma Kumari's Spiritual University at a ceremony on March 18, 1995 in London, England. May, 1995 15 Deadline for getting your news into the Editors for the June issue of the Jain Digest Jain Scholars will be visiting North America in the summer of 1995. The renowned scholars and orators Shri Subhash Sheth and Shri Rajendra Kamdar are active in educating young Jains in the philosophy and practices of Jainism. The exact dates of their visit are being arranged. If your organization is interested in hosting these scholars please contact Hasmukh Shah at 301/3841746 or Nirmal Dosi at 908/390-0296. June, 1995 29 Opening of the Jain Art Exhibition The Peaceful Lierators: Jain Art from India Museum of Art, New Orleans, LA Pratistha Mahotsav, Jain Temple, Chicago, IL 28 - 30 July, 1995 Pratistha Mahotsav, Jain Temple, Chicago, IL JAINA Convention, Chicago, IL JAINA and AT & T have signed an agreement called the Association Awards Program. This is how it works. AT & T will pay JAINA 5% of the residential AT&T, direct dial, international, long-distance, per-minute usage charges, billed and collected for each registered JAINA member, who chooses AT & T as their long-distance company. This program will bring JAINA an estimated $10,000 per year. Please sign up now! Don't forget to give AT&T our account number 4 NAE 1987. If you have any questions, please call Kushal Jain at 908/949-0889. 1-4 August, 1995 15 Deadline for getting you news into the Editors for the September issue of the Jain Digest Paryushana 23 - 31 September, 1995 1 - 10 Dashlaxana The 10th Arhum Yoga Camp is scheduled to take place in the beautiful, scenic Canterbury Hills in Ancaster, Ontario from July 29 - August 5, 1995. The annual camp for young people that was founded by Guru Sushilkumarji has become a regular, well attended event in southern Ontario. This year Jin Chandraji Maharaj (Bandhu Triputi) and Amrendra Muni will be attending the camp. For more information please call: Shantichandra Shah at 905/881-9390 or Kamal Jain at 905/735-6194 or Kanak Chopra at 905/738-1092. October, 1995 Ahimsa Day and Universal Forgiveness Day If appropriate, the Jain Digest will be happy to publish the date and name of your up-coming event. Please submit all information to the Editor in Chief, see address on page 2. JAIN DIGEST For Private & Personal use only March 1995 Jain Education Intemational
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________________ REGIONAL NEWS CANADA Mahendra Mchua Regional Editor Edmonton, AL The Jain Society has announced its 1995 program. The following events are planned: March 20 - Interfaith Prayer at the City Hall April 16. Mahavir Jayanti September 10 - Samvatsari at home of Mahendra and Aruna Mehta October 29 - Nirvana Day * December 17 - Parasnath Jayanti * *at the Hindu Temple in Edmonton. Everyone is cordially invited to these celebrations. has evolved into full acceptance from all members of our Society. Everyone is wel- come at these activities. Our members East of Toronto have been organizing Pathshala, Samayak, Discussions on Jain Philosophy, Senior and Youth Activities regularly. For more information please ccontact Arvind Shah at 416/282-3113. The Annual General Body Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 26, 1995 at the Jain Centre in Etobicoke. The Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti cel ebrations will take place at Jain Center, Etobicoke on Sunday, April 16,1995. If you wish to participate in the celebration, please contact: Arhant Jain at 905/827- 7494 or Kumud Bhimani at 416-2933564. The 1995 Paryushan Parva in August promises to be another outstanding and memorable celebration. The mahaparva will be graced by the presence of Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta who will give series of lectures on various aspects of Jain philospohy. His lucid style in Gujarati promises to attract a large attendance during this celebrations. Look for more information in the next issue of the Jain Digest. On the actual anniversary of Mahavir Nirvan November 2, 1994 there was aarati of 108 lamps with an overnight chanting of Mahavir- swamipargatay Namah and Gautam-swamisarvajnay Namah. Jnan Panchami was celebrated on November 6, 1994 when the agamas of the library were displayed and identified. The birthday of Shri Hemchandracharya and Shrimad Rajchandraji which falls on Kartiki Purnima was celebrated on November 20, 1994. Many people participated in the Atmasiddhishastra and other compositions of Rajchandraji. The picture of Shantrunjaya Tirtha was also displayed that day. People felt gratified to have the Darshan of the holy Tirtha. The Society has decided to have Pratishtha Mahotsava from June 28 to July 1, 1995 which will preceed the 8th JAINA Convention. Various committees formed for that purpose have begun to meet and plan for this event. Aspecial program of Atmasiddhishastra was organized at the Center on December 17, 1994 in the memory of Sanjay Jain. On February 4, 1995, Peace Group, Chicago organized workshops for different religions in Du Page College. The workshop on Jainism was conducted by Uttam Jain and Manubhai Doshi. As usual, Snatra pooja and Digambar Pooja are held every Sunday. Sthanakwasi Swadyay takes place once in every month. Gujarati classes are held on the second Sunday and religious classes are held on the third Sunday of every month. MIDWEST REGION Manubhai Dosbi Regional Editor Toronto, ON For the Jain Society of Toronto, 1994 ended with a happy note when Jainism was recognized by being granted membership in the Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care. The 1994 Shri Roop Lal Jain Lecture was delivered by Professor John E. Cort of Southern Asian Institute at Columbia University, New York on "Defining Jainism: Reform in the Jain Tradition." He gave an erudite presentation of historical development and changes that occured within the Jain community, especially among the Swetambar of western India from beginning up to 1947. This was the fifth in a series of annual lectures endowed at University of Toronto in the memory of Shri Roop Lal Jain. Our Jain Centre in Etobicoke has grown into a busy meeting point of all Jains of the metro Toronto and surrounding towns. We regularly hold Mahavir Pooja on first Sunday, Shrimad Rajchandra Bhakti on second Sunday, Snatra Pooja on third Sunday and Samayak and Pathshala on fourth Sunday of every month. This ar- rangement, which was first started in 1990, Chicago, IL On the occasion of Mahavir Nirvan, students and young children were encouraged to give talks at the Jain Center on October 30, 1994. Thirty children participated in that program. All of them were given token prizes. After the children's presentation Jyotindra Doshi, Manubhai Doshi and Tarla Doshi gave talks explaining the significance of Diwali and Mahavir Nirvan. Detroit, MI The temple is open every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There is Swadhyay every Sunday. Religious classes are held every month. The Center celebrated Diwali with enthusiasm and held Snatra Pooja on Meru Tirath at the end of January. March 1995 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST
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________________ SOUTHEAST REGION Sweud Shah. Reviowl Editor NORTHEAST REGION Vinay Vakani Regional Editor SOUTHWEST REGION Jadurji Kenia Regional Editor Atlanta, GA The 1995 year has brought a new slate of officers - President, Kirti Shah; VicePresident, Minal Shah; Secretary, Sarla Kothari and Treasurer, Niru Shah. Buffalo, NY Buffalo is proud to have had so many people volunteer for the Medical Camp at Biddada in January 1995. Buffalo sent five directors - Pravin Mehta, Dhiraj Shah, Rajni Patel, Neelam Patel and Sunjay Patel plus two volunteers, Preeti Patel and Nealesh Shah From December 23-26, 1994 the youth group hosted the First Southeast Region Jain Youth Convention. One hundred-seven young people from the Southeastern region attended. The program consisted of cultural activities and presentations on the Fundamentals of Jainism by Pravin Shah, of Raleigh, NC and YogaMeditation by Bruce Costin. In addition, there were many participants run workshops covering different subject areas. Houston, TX Jain Society of Houston and Jain Fellowship - Youth Group hosted the South Regional Conference during Thanksgiving, 1994. The conference lasted for four days and was packed full of activities, excitement and was a tremendous success.. The conference was unique because it included activities for Jains of all ages. About half of the participants were from the Houston area and those who had come from out-of-town left with a very good impression of the youth, adults, and the entire Jain Samaj. The Houstonian Jains have every reason to be proud of the way the young people challenged themselves and came through, the way the adults jumped into action and the way both generations worked in unison to create a successful experience. Bal Bhadraji enhanced the conference with his unique method of explaining any topic in a calm and relaxed tone. Every morning he led a group of enthusiasts in Yoga exercises and meditation. His lecture on Anekantavaad suited young people growing up in the west. He demonstrated his way of a Samayik that can be performed by any one. Shaina Varia led a workshop on Jain temples and symbolism. Via slides the everyone got a mini-tour of Jain pilgrim places with some architectural informa Clarksville, TN This relatively small but active society sent eight young people to the First Southeast Region Youth Convention that was held in Atlanta, GA. Several parents accompanied the young participants. Patient with thyroid disease A health fair in co-operation with the Gujarati Samaj is planned in Nashville, TN in May, 1995. New Orleans, LA The society has participated in bring- ing the Jain Art exhibit to New Orleans. The exhibit will be in New Orleans from July to October 1995. tion. Washington, DC The Jain Society of Washington, DC held its annual general meeting and elections on December 10, 1994. Kamlesh Shah was elected President. The other officers are: Himanshu Mehta, Vice President; Kalpesh Shah and Narendra Goda - Secretaries; Yogen Sheth and Hasmukh Shah, Treasurers; Kanti Mehta, Manu Shah and Narendra Shah, Members at Large; Manoj Dharamsi, Chairman od the Board of Trustees and Ketan Mehta, Youth Coordinator. This year's activities will include: general topic discussions, a community outreach program and a health fair. Efforts are underway to hold youth seminars on a regular basis and a Regional Conference with Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji from July 27 - 30, 1995. Approximately onehundred children and adult attend classes that are held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. This year we are planinng to hold advanced level courses for adults. Charlotte, NC The Society rotates the title of Sanghpati among its members every year. This year, Surendra Jain will replace Surendra Patel The Agenda The theme of the conference was Anekantavaad, multiplicity of viewpoints. In order to assure a number of viewpoints, the conference was made into a family affair so that Jains of all ages could attend. In addition to Houston, people came from Dallas, Lubbock, San Antonio, Tulsa, Louisiana, Albuquerque and from as far away as Maryland and New York. Attendees from out of town stayed with friends and relatives or were hosted by Houston families. The participants were divided into JAIN DIGEST March 1995 Jain Education Intemational
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________________ three groups: children, under 13, young people and adults. The organizers planned activities where the 3 groups would meet separately and other activities where everyone meet together. Samir Sanghani Multiculturalism and Prejudice There was a joint discussion on Multiculturism and Prejudice. Skits were presented on the Americanization of Indian youths, financial and status prejudice, racism and religious prejudice. Almost every young person at the convention, participated or helped with the plays in some way. Each skit showed how a typical Indian family dealt with a common situation involving some kind of prejudice. Each skit conveyed the same message - Jains can, and do display prejudice in some form every day in their lives. The skits were presented in a hilarious, but meaningful manner. Everyone enjoyed them. After the skits, the audience was divided into groups with different ages and from different cities. The moderators started the discussions and let the participants open up and share their views on the different topics. Many interesting points were discussed: the karma theory and its relevance to prejudice, the role of women in society, the difference between maintaining one's culture and shunning others, communication between parents and their children about why they are prejudiced about some things. Solutions were brought up by everyone. The discussions were interesting and opened the eyes of many to a problem that many Indians fail to address. Rajul Khemsara Ethics in the Work Place On Saturday we had our second joint discussion on Ethics in the Workplace. We had a panel consisting of one pre-med student, Sangeeta Shah; an engineer, Pradeep Shah; a presiding judge, Riddhi Desai and a senior high school student interested in becoming a doctor, Neela Gada. The discussion was moderated by Pavan, a University of Texas pre-med student. Many different points were brought up and the audience participated by questioning the panelists. The topics discussed ranged from the plague to working in a weapons company. After the panel discussion the audi March 1995 ence was divided into smaller groups. Each group discussed the different ethical controversy. Some people's views were formulated according to Jain principles, while others based their's upon their own moral standards. This discussion was especially interesting for those who did not have a definite opinion and wanted to hear both sides. The discussions touched upon very controversial subjects in a mature and enlightening manner. It certainly brought out multiple viewpoints. Rajul Khemsara Fun at Funplex After a day of discussions the young people, kids, and some of the adults who were young-at-heart met at Funplex to enjoy themselves. Some youths played mini-golf, play pool or discovered the "Laser Star experience". Some daring kids tried the "Human Globe", a huge spherical device in which you are straped in place and spun around in all directions. The best part of the entire evening was the unity among all young people. Everyone got to know each other. Most didn't have the heart to leave. It was an exciting and relaxing experience that will not be forgotten. Shilpa Sheth ... the Grand Finale The traditional Indian way of celebrating any great event is none other than the beautifully expressive Raas and Garba. It turned out to be a joyful way to mark the end of a great convention. After two hectic days of activities of Yoga, group discussions, lectures and presentations, a game of dandia raas was just right. The colors dancing to glorious rhythms and sounds of dhol and drums, coupled with the melodious garba songs was a wonderful sight. Words are inadequate to describe the "taan" and the vibrant mood that was present in the air, which makes Raas Garba so unique. It seemed everyone was bent upon getting the most out of it. The spirit of being one, the urge to share joy and the pride of being Jain was all there. It felt as if there was one continuous never-ending session of dance and gaiety. And if Dandia was not enough, we went into a spontaneous dance of Bangra, expressing the joy we have had in experienc JAIN DIGEST ing this event and making so many new friends. But then time has its own cruel way of setting limits. Everything good has to come to an end. The purpose was served, to go home with good feelings and memories. Rajesh Dharamshi WEST REGION Chandrakant Parekh Regional Editor Los Angeles, CA Following the incorporation of the Jain Center, a new and expanded Board of Directors has been elected and includes Hasendra Shah, President; Virendra Shah, Vice President; Kishor Sanghvi, Secretary; Dinesh Shah, Treasurer; Nitin Shah, Public Relations; Ramesh Kothari, Pratibha Mehta, Tejas Mehta, Vinod Mehta, Navin Sanghvi, Hamendra Shah, Ila Shah, Kantilal Shah, Kantilal Shah, Madhuri Shah, and Sumati Shah, Directors. The services of the outgoing directors were acknowledged and the new incoming directors were introduced at a general body meeting that was held in January. Chris Chapple, Professor of Theology at Loyola Marymount University was invited to the meeting to deliver a lecture on Jainism. The gala exhibition entitled The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India organized at the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts from November 6, 1994 to January 22, 1995 was a huge success. Over 55,000 visitors had an opportunity to enjoy to this unique exhibition of 150 aesthetically beautiful and historically significant works of art, lectures, films, dance-drama, stories and workshops related to Jainism. The local Jain community raised over $12,000.00 to help promote this event. The donations were used to publicize the exhibition, sponsor trips for school children, and distribute free tickets. The exhibition will now travel to Fort Worth, New Orleans and London, England. Interest and attendance in the Jain study classes have grown tremendously. Nearly 110 adults and over 150 children 9 www.jainelibrary.or
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________________ attend the Sunday classes on a regular basis. Ongoing activities include Swadhaya classes 2 days a week, and a bhavna program on the last Friday of every month. San Diego, CA Jain Society has elected a new committee: Praful Doshi, President; Sukumar Shah, Secretary; Rohit Saraiya, Treasurer; and Deepak Kothari and Lalit Duggad, Executive Committee Members. A group of 40 took a bus trip to Los Angeles to view the exhibition of The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art From India and to attend the dance-drama of Sthulibhadra and Kosha. The tour concluded with the Pat Darshan of Kartiki Purnima at the Los Angeles Derasar. Girish Shah from Los Angeles has started to teach the adult study group once a month. San Francisco, CA Jain Center has elected a new committee which includes Praveen Jain, President; Jashwant Shah, 1st Vice President; Kundi Kapadia, 2nd Vice President; Harish Parekh, Secretary; Sunil Shah, Treasurer; Kirit Bavishi, Public Relations; Himmat Dagli, Umesh Danki, Navin Dedhia, Sanjay Gala, Neraj Pungalia, Avni Shah, Datta Shah, Divia Shah, Hansa Shah, Membersat-large; and Manhar Shah, Librarian. Mahavir Nirvana program was attended by 400 people. The group was addressed by Samaniji Madhurpragnajiand Samaniji Charitrapragnaji. Both Samanijis spent a month in the Bay area delivering lectures and conducting Preksha Dhyan sessions. 45 people participated in a family camp with Samanijis at Camp Gualala. Other programs at the center included a 12-hours Akhand Navkar Jap every Saturday for four months. Ongoing activities include: Swadhaya for adults and children, Pathshala, Preksha Dhyan classes, and monthly bhavna gatherings. This year's guests will include - Samans for 3 months; Dhirubhai Pundit for 10 days; Manak Muni for 20 days during Paryushan; and Rajendar Kamdar for 1 month. 10 Meet Other Members of Various Boards and Committees of JAINA Anup Vora Lax Nagda Fund-Raising Canada Sushil Jain Media Watch Vijay Jain Shan Jain Summer Camps JAIN DIGEST Bupen Shah Advertising Manager Charu Jain Volunteer Manoj Jain Public Relations "To reject the necessity of temples is to reject the necessity of God, religion, and earthly existence." THE NECESSITY OF TEMPLES Temples and images remind us to renew our renunciation and dedication from day to day. The remind us: "Do not forget the original of the idol." I know of no religion or sect that has done or is doing without its house of God variously described as a temple, a mosque, a church, a synagogue, or an agiari. There are million whose faith is sustained through these temples, churches, and mosques. They are not all blind followers of a superstition, nor are they fanatics. Superstition and fanaticism are not their monopoly; these vices have their root in our hearts and minds. To reject the necessity of temples is to reject the necessity of God, religion, and earthly existence. We, the human family, are not all philosophers. We are of the earth, very earthy, and we are not satisfied with contemplating the invisible God. Somehow or other we want something which we can touch, something which we can see, something before which we can kneel down. It does not matter whether it is a book or an empty stone building or a stone building inhabited by numerous figures. A book will satisfy some, and empty building will satisfy others, and many others will not be satisfied unless they see something inhabiting these empty buildings. continued on page 44 March 1995
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________________ International Alumni Association of Shri Mahavira Jain Vidyalaya (IAAMJV) is continuing to set donation records for the cause of education. Thanks to your donations. The total funds raised since inception are $267,000.00. The association is planning to revise the directory of all Vidyalaya alumni and non-Vidyalaya donors. Do not miss this opportunity to have your name included in the directory. For more information please contact: Anop Vora at 716/473-9290 or Chandra Vora at 508/393-2490. AFFILIATE NEWS A general body meeting will be held during the 8th Biennial JAINA convention in Chicago. The agenda will include progress reports, election, speech by a dignitary from India, and other items. Please come and attend this meeting, meet your old friends and revive the pleasant memories of the glorious past. For more information please call Rajni T. Shah, 708/876-1279. International Mahavir Jain Mission, Canada is organizing an International Cenference on "Approaches to Jainism: Philosophy, Logic, Ritual and Symbols." The cenference will be hald at the Univerisity of Toronto from March 31 - April 2, 1995. The conference will be jointly sponsored by the Center of South Asian Studies of the University of Toronto and the IMJM of Canada. The Program will include original papers presented by scholars from the Universities of California, Wisconsin, Hawaii, New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, France, Germany, Wales, Scotland, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, Denmark, Poland and Canada. The program will include a dance recital of Sthulibhadra - Kosha by the Janak Khendray Group, Mr. Janak Khendry, sculptor and performing artist, will speak on the "Specificity of the Jain mudras and abhinaya based on a Jaina theme." Donor's Name: Address: Telephone No. Donation Amount: $ March 1995 Jain Education Intemational - The registration fee is $60.00 and $10.00 for the theatre program. A pre-conference fund raiser will be held on March 11, 1995. For more information, please call: Shanitchandra Shah at 905/881-9390. - International Mahavir Jain Mission, Siddhachalam calendar of primary activities from April thru December, 1995. April 14 Siddachalam Mahayatra, Chaitra Shukla Purnima, Bhavana June 233 Please make checks payable to IMJM and should be mailed to: 65 Mud Pond Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825 All donations are tax deductible from Federal income taxes. 22 SIDDHACHALAM Kitchen Dining Room Building Fund I/We would like to donate for the proposed Kitchen Dining Room Building Complex 7-9 July August 4-6 9-11 Adult Camp* 17 Akhand Jap 18 Guruji's Birthday, Installation of Guruji's Statue Family Camp Family Camp Akhand Jap, Bhavana, Trustee Meeting Mahavir Jayanti and Guruji's Anniversary Day JAIN DIGEST Destruction at Siddhachalam 1 I 1 11
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________________ July 13 Pratishtha Anniversary Day 23 Dada Guru Day and Pooja 23 - 31 Paryushan 1-10 Dashlaxana Sept. October 1 22 Nov. 5 Dec. 25 Kshmapana/Ahimsa Day Divali/Nirvana Day Siddhachalam Yatra Day Lord Parshvanath's Birthday *IMJM will sponsor several Jain Monks for these camps and other programs. Please note that the IMJM is continuing its appeal for funds to help rebuild the the structure that was destroyed by fire. 1995 Weekend Schedule April 22 - Harrisburg, PA, Kanti Jasani, 717/533-6968 or Bhupendra Parekh, 717/898-6173 May 4- Whitmore Lake, MI, The Lighthouse Center, Chetna 7. Cathy Florida, 313/449-2101 5- Detroit, MI. Jain Society. Dr. Tolia, 810/681-5474 13 - Long Island, NY. Chandrakant Parekh, 516/757-5966 in Gujarati) 17 to 29 - Kenya: Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya 212/362-6483 Naresh and Sailesh Shah, Nairobi, 745-8060 June 8 to 10 - Santa Clara, CA, Int'l Transpersonal Convention, John MacKenzie, Jayant, 510/6820-4959 Westin Hotel Convention Center, 800/228-3000 11 - Jain Center of Northern California, Harilal Shah, 510/487-9380 16-Topeka, KS, Sudha and Sharat Jain, 913/478-4342 28 to July 1 - Chicago, IL, Jain Society of Chicago, Pratishtha Kishor C. Shah, 219/922-1470 or Raviendra Kobawala 708/355-5622 July 1 to 4 - Chicago, IL, 8th Biennial JAINA Convention 26 - Manhattan, NY, Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji's Birthday Celebration, Doral Inn 212/362-6483 27 - Washington, DC, Jain Society of Metro Washington Kamlesh Shah, 301/353-0481 The Jain Meditation International Center, New York will be conducting Yoga- meditation with talks by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji at the Doral Inn in Manhattan at 49th Street and Lexington, across from The Waldrof Astoria, on Wednesdays, April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10; June 14 and 21. Yoga-meditation will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the talk will begin at 7:20 p.m. Weekend consultations will be held on April 29-30 and June 24-25, 1995 Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu An Appeal for Jain Digest The Jain Digest is a quarterly publication of JAINA, that is mailed free of charge to all Jain families and college students in North America. JAINA has initiated an ambitious goal of raising "A Million by the Millennium". To help us succeed, every Jain family in North America is requested to become a life member of Jain Digest by donating U.S. $101 or Canadian $140. Our goal for 1994 - 95 is to get 1000 new members. This will raise $100,000 towards our goal. Please become a life member today. ----- ---------------------------- BECOME A LIFE MEMBER OF JAIN DIGEST Please enroll our family as life members of Jain Digest. Our check in the amount of U.S. $101 or Canadian $140 is enclosed. Mail to: JAINA Headquarters, 66 Viscount Williamsville, New York 14221 Tel. and Fax: 716/688-3030 Name: Address: Phone: - 12 Jain education Intemational JAIN DIGEST. Use Only March 1995.org
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________________ Fund Raising Committee (USA) Chair: Sanjay Pandya Vice-Chair: Bipin Parikh The Fund Raising Committee has received approximately 2% of the 7,000 request letters that were sent out. The Committee hopes to hear from the remaining 98% of the families. Summary of Donations COMMITTEE NEWS JAINA General Fund JAIN Digest Publication fund JAINA Convention JAINA World Community Service JAINA Education Committee JAINA Scholar Visitation JAIN Digest Life Membership Total Donations $13,014 The Fund Raising Committee would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following people who have given so generously to help support the activities of JAINA. If by some oversight, your name does not appear on the list, please write to us at JAINA Headqrarters so that we may list your name in the next issue. $5,526 756 278 2,611 2,779 458 606 Bhupendra M.Tolia, Norwood, NJ -$2,501 Ashi Diamonds, New York, NY - $1001 Shivani Gems, New York, NY - $501 Vasantha Kumaraiah, Olympia, Fields IL - $501 Sunil Totuka, Prompt Gems, New York, NY - $501 Purnima M. Shah, Edmond, OK - $500 B. Vira, Ladson, SC - $470 Jwala Prasad, Cincinnati, OH - $251 Ashish and Priti Shah, Los Angeles, CA - $251 Dialuck Corp, New York, NY - $250 Arish Sahani, Corona, NY - $250 $100 - $249 Ajit and Nima Gujar, Fremont, CA Nice Minerals Inc., New York, NY Anonymous, OH Conros, Taylor, MI Prakash and Kamla Dhoka, Dallas, TX Randi S. Eisman, West Brookville, NY Hasmukh C. Harde, Hudson, NY Adish Jain, Avon, CT Mohini Jain, Davis, CA Mohan H. Jain, Allentown, PA Sikander Jain, Poway, CA March 1995 Jain Education memational Kirit Kamdar, St. Charles, IL Dalsukh N. Kothari, Jersey City, NJ Tumkur B. N. Kumar, North Providence, RI Shobhan Lal, Smithtown, NY Mahendra Maru, Littleton, CO L. N. Mehta, Englishtown, NJ Sukh and Kalyan Mehta, Redlands, CA Bharat K. Mehta, Morton Grove, IL L. C. Mehta, Morris, Plains, NJ Pravin Parekh, Cerritos, CA Harsha Patel, Jones Beach, NY S. V. Patil, Larayette, CA Prabodh Reshamwala, Feeding Hill, MA Smita and Dilip Shah, Clifton, NJ Kokila and Bharat Shah, Jericho, NY Ramesh Shah, Joplin, Missouri Jajesh K. Shah, Torrance, CA Ashyin Shah, Racine, WI Chandravadan C. Shah, Millington, NJ Atul Shah, Mentor, OH Mahavir N. Shah, Paintsville, KY Avani and Pankaj Sheth, Okc, OK Shalini and Jatin Sheth, Kingwood, TX Kusum and Ramesh Shial, Midlothian, VA Vipin and Jyoti Vadecha, Diamond Bar, CA Mahesh A. Varia, Chapel Hill, NC Bhavesh and Malka Shah, Suffield, CT Khim N. Vira, Fairhope, AL $99 and under Nitin Shah, Scotch Plains, NJ J. Khandhar, Murrysville, PA Koyhari Mayur, Roslyn, NY Hamendra Mehta, Naperville, IL Anil Mehta, Glendale, WI Ravinder Oswal, Fremont, CA Rasila and Tushar Parikh, Cincinnati, OH Chandravadan B. Shah, Kendall Park, NJ Vinay Shah, Kingston, PA Chandrakant N.Shah, Dublin, GA Kirit R. Shah, Tucson, AZ Madhukar and Divya Shah, Toledo, OH Nitin and Bina Shah, Cerritos, CA Harshad and Amita Shah, Chalfont, PA Pradip P.Tolat, Madison, WI Rakesh Chhabra, Whitesburg, KY Anil K. Jain, Okemos, MI Ashok and Saroj Bavishi, Overland Park, KS Haresh Jain, Jersey City, NJ Indu Sanghvi, Maplewood, NJ Chetan and Neeta Sanghvi, Fremont, CA Suresh A. Shah, Carrollton, TX Prashant D. Shah, Absecon, NJ Arvind Shah, Mobile, AL Sharad and Lata Shah, Mountaintop, PA Kirit Shah, Charlotte, NC JAIN DIGEST For Prate & Personal Use Only 13
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________________ Public Relations Anant Jain - Chair Manoj Jain - Vice Chair Mahendra and Prabha Bapna, Hinsdale, IL Jay Bheda, Hiram, GA Ramesh and Padma Chitalia, Tampa, FL Ramesh Doshi, Newark, DE Vipul Doshi, Fairfax, VA Sushil Jain, Bryan, OH Suraj and Vandana Kothari, Ames, IA Jayaprakash Mehta, Clifton St., NJ Kanti Lal Mehta, Piscataway, NJ Parimal Parekh, Freeport, IL Jitu Parekh, Union City, CA Anil B. Salvi, CA Rajendra C. Shah, East Meadow, NY Ramesh Shah, Flower Mound, TX Tanmay and Surekha Shah, Desplaines, IL Nandu Shah, Jacksonville, FL Jayant and Pravina Shah, Marietta, OH Varsha and Piyush Shah, Chandler, AZ Kirit Tulsania, Alexandria, VA Bharati and Ramesh Doshi, San Gabriel, CA Bhikam Jain, Old Bridge, NY Ravindra and Saras Jain, Mansfield, CT C. N. Mody, Atlanta, GA Hansa and Hemant Nagda, Placenta, CA Ashok and Surekha Patrawala, San Jose, CA Asok Shah, Jersey City, NJ Dilip K. Surana, Miami, FL N. S. Doshi, Pittsburg, PA Jyoti Dedhia, West Lovina, CA Ajay Jain, Hicksville, NY Vivek Jain, Ann Arbor, MI Yogesh Kamdar, Louisville, KY Ram Rakshpal, Silver Spring, MD Naresh R. Shah, Nitro, WV Rashmikant and V. R. Shah Jain Art Exhibit reaches Dallas-Fort Worth The much awaited exhibition of Jain art opening at the prestigious Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth presents a rare opportunity to both Jains and people of other persuasions to gain a deeper understanding of this ages-old way of life. The exhibition, aptly titled "The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India "is open to the public for 12 weeks, effective March 5, 1995. It is due to the cooperation of so many collectors and museums around the world that this exceptionally comprehensive presentation of Jain artwork has been made possible. These works of Indian artists between the 11th and 16th century, and many more predating that period, depict a unique thread that runs through the rich fabric of the diverse Indian culture. After a highly successful showing at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and now at the Kimbell, the exhibition will travel to the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England. The exhibition includes architectural pieces in sandstone, bronze, copper alloy and wood; manuscripts and paintings in ink and opaque watercolors on palm leaves, paper and cloth, including many hybrid works of opaque watercolors and gold on paper. Some very intricate embroideries from late 18th-19th centuries with couched gold and silver toned twisted wire, along with silk and wool embroidery on silk velvet, are on display. The lifelike qualities of the various altarpieces of Jinas, the architectural pieces of temple works in wood and sandstone, the elaborately sculpted figures, and richly colorful and detailed paintings, are proud representations of the rich heritage. Apart from the artistic aspects, the visitors will get a unique perspective of the Jain cosmology. It appears that the painters were truly intrigued by the Jain cosmology. The paintings depicting the Jain universe, and its tiers, have been particularly popular with the devout artists. Several paintings have used the human body as an interesting and artful overlay to capture the analogy of the cosmos. Another educational dimension of this exhibition is evident in significant number of works dealing with a pantheon of Hindu divinities, serving as guardian spirits, who are supposed to be subservient to the Tirthankaras. They are the symbol of how Jains have adapted to the socio-religious environment, and yet maintained an independent identity. In a strict sense, there is no "deity" in a Jain Temple from whom one can expect any rewards. Therefore, in the evolutionary process of ritualistic practices the lay community has come to revere a number of the divine figures who are worshiped for their unique powers. The Jain Society of North Texas urges local, as well as out of town community visitors to avail themselves of this opportunity and plan a tour to see this exhibit. For more information, assistance with accomodations and other arrangements please call the Society's president, Pradhuman Zaveri at 214/608-0400 or any of the board members. Media Watch Sushil Jain - Chair The Media Watch Committee monitors the media for news about Jains and Jainism. If an item appears that is distorted, negative, prejudicial or stereotypic the Media Watch is ready to contact the proper representatives and correct the misconception. The objective of the Media Watch Committee is to: - monitor the public news media in North American in reference to news items refering to Jains and/or Jainism, and offer responses as necessary. - review texts and reference material in North American that define and/or describe Jains and Jainism; bring inaccuracies and misconceptions about Jainism its beliefs, history and origins to the attention of authors and publishers and suggesting changes. -publicize Jain religious traditions like Paryushana vegetarian- ism, respect for life and environment in the media. -establish contacts with scholars in North America who have an interest in Jainism and its traditions. 16 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST Use Onity March 1995.org
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________________ Press Release About Paryushan and Daslaxana Parva A letter about Paryshan and Daslaxana Parva was sent out to major newspapers in twenty-two cities. Thus far the letter has been published in Dallas, TX and Edmonton, AL - Canada. World Community Service Dhiraj Shah - Chair A Jain Doctor Dedicates Her Life To serve Poor Dr. Daxa Patel, born and raised in Bombay and educated in West, returned to India in 1982 to serve the poorest of the poor. Dr. Patel and her husband Dr. Anil Patel have settled in the tribal area of Mangrol, Gujarat (near the borders of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, on the banks of the river Narmada). In 1982, they founded an institution called ARCH - Action Research in Community Health and Development - to serve the poorest people of India. They took upon themselves an immense challenge to solve the massive health problems in the rural community of Mangrol. Daxaben's service have been recognized by the Young Men's Gandhian Association and she was awarded their highest honor Ashok Gondhia Award in 1993. They started the Mangrol Dispensary which treats about 12,500 patients from the surrounding 200 villages. An additional 10,000 patients are treated in their villages by voluntary health workers. The Tuberculosis Control Program is treating 225 patients each year. The Women's Health Care Program handles more than 250 pregnant women each year. This service include pre and post-natal care, dai (traditional birth attendant) training program, birth control, family planning and health education for women. The Child Health Care Program provides immunizations and provides nutritional and health education for children. The Health Educational Program prepares materials for health care workers and the general population in collaboration with other non-government organization. Dhiraj Shah visited Mangrol Dispensary in December, 1993 and was very impressed by the work of this dedicated couple. ARCH has embarked on a major expansion program. This program includes building a TB Center, Women Center, Inpatient Facilities and a Documentation Center. Daxaben met with JAINA's Executive Committee and the World Community Services Committee members at Siddhachalam in October, 1994 and requested support for this project. JAINA's Executive Committee and World Community Services Committee decided to sponsor the Women Center in cooperation with Jain Center of America, New York, NY. JAINA is requesting that the Jain Community join hands with these dedicated doctors and generously contribute to their cause. Please send your tax-deductible contributions, payable to JAINA, in the USA to: Dhiraj Shah, 135 Morningside Drive, Grand Island, NY 14072 or in Canada to: Shri S. S. Jain Foundation, 276 Carlow Avenue, Unit 200, Toronto, Ont. M4M 3L1. For more information, please contact Dhiraj Shah at 716/7731314. March 1995 Support for the Orphans of the Earthquake in Maharastra JAINA helps support the orphans of the Maharashtra Earthquake. In his recent visit to the area, Dhiraj Shah saw the reconstructed site, devastated by this earthquake and was impressed by the construction of 55 houses in Jain Nagar, which is located in village Kawatha, 45 miles south of Latur. The construction of these houses was possible through the generous donations of the Jain Community in North America. It is heartening to witness the joy on the faces of the victims who now have new homes to live in. $30,000 of the Maharashtra Earthquake Relief Fund has been donated to the Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana of Pune which has adopted more than 1,000 children who became orphans by this devestating earthquake. Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana provides lodging and boarding for these children, ranging from ages 5 and 17. At the same time, with the assistance of Maharashtra government, a school grades, K-12 has started to educate these children. B.J. S. have taken the enormous responsibility to raise and educate these children until they are able to stand on their own feet. We would like to do our share in support of this noble cause and put Lord Mahavir's preaching into practice. Many prominent Jains, Dipchandji Gardi, Mafatkaka Mehta, Navalmal Firodia, are the trustees of this institution. Dhiraj Shah visited this institution on January 19, 1995 and spent an entire day with children and officers of the institution. The WCS intends to donate $30,000.00 for this noble cause when Shantilal Muttha, President of Bhartiya FEDERATION OF JAINA WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE Construction of Jain Nagar Jain Sanghatana visits the United States and Canada in April, 1995. For more information please contact Dhiraj Shah at 716/ 773-1314. JAIN DIGEST Offers of Help for Victims of Earthquake in Kobe, Japan In a letter to the Jain Sangh of Kobe, Japan, Jagat Jain, President and Dhiraj Shah Chair of World Community Service of JAINA, have conveyed condolences to the families affected by the devastating earthquake which struck Kobe on January 17, 1995. They have offered JAINA's assistance to the victims. There are many Jain families and a Jain Temple in Kobe. JAINA is willing to help. 15
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________________ Help for the victims of Rwanda Carnage The Rwandan Relief Fund which has collected more than $4,000.00 for the Rwandan Refugees who are dying of hunger, epidemic and starvation. The relief money was presented to the Red Cross for Refugee Camps in Rwanda. These camps feed more than half a million people each day. Your generosity is deeply appreciated. Jain presenting Rwanda Relief Fund Check We acknowledge the contributions of: $501 Rashmi and Kusum Shah and Family, Torrance, CA $315 W. C. S. of JAINA, Grand Island, NY $251 Harshad Niharica Kothari, La Habra, CA $251 Dhiraj and Pratima Shah, Buffalo, NY $251 Pradip and Hardika Shah, La Miranda, CA $250 Girish and Datta Shah, Campbell, CA $250 Ramesh and Prafulla Shah, Diamond Bar, CA $201 Jain Assocuation of San Diego, CA $201 Jain Community of Buffalo, NY $200 Kamal and Alka Shah, Hacienda Heights, CA $200 Mitul Dhiraj Shah, Buffalo, NY $101 Laxmichand and Hemlata Gogri, Oakdale, CT $101 Laxmikant and Kirtida Shah, Pembroke Pines, IL $101 Suersh and Meena Shah, Buffalo, NY $100 Pravin and Malini Mehta, Buffalo, NY $100 Zafar Merchant, Hialeah, FL $100 Nivisha J. Shah, Campbell, CA $51 Samir and Asha Bhansali, Whittier, CA $51 Jagat and Urmilla JAin, Buffalo, NY $51 Pradeep and Sheela Mehta, Sunset Beach, CA $51 Shantilal and Prabha Mohnot, Murrysville, PA $51 Chandrakant and Hasmita Parekh, Cerritos, CA $51 Kalpana Shah, Hacienda Heights, CA $51 Narendra and Sonal Sheth, San Diego, CA $50 Bharat and Leena Dalal, Pittsburgh, PA $50 Subodh and Pallavi Mehta, Sugarland, TX $25 Taraben R. Dhila, Silver Spring, MD $25 Vircahnd and Lilavanti Hefa, Ridgefield, NJ $25 Dinesh and Ila Punater, Dayton, OH $25 Devendra and Surekha Rajparia, Penfield, NY $25 Hira and Jay Sheth, Cerritos, CA $21 Bedspread Creations, Santa Fe Springs, CA $21 Vinod and Indu Doshi, Monroeville, PA $15 Chandrakant and Gita Shah, Pittsburgh, PA $10 A. R. and Kusum Bata, Opalocka, FL. If, by some oversight, we have failed to list your name, please write to us so that we may rectify the error and include your name in the next issue. Send all letters to: Dhiraj Shah, Chair - World Community Service of JAINA, 135 Morningside Drive, Grand Island, NY 14072. 16 JAINA's Charitable Activities Recognized JAINA was honored by the Lions International, Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Charitable Trust and All India Shwetamber Jain Conference for its role in raising Rs 30 lacs for the victims of the earthquake in Maharastra. JAINA Charitable Trust An Appeal for Membership During the past twelve years Jains in North America have seen the ever increasing activities of JAINA. Our most important responsibility is to see that these activities continue and help maintain a meaningful Jain environment. To do this we need everyone's support to make JAINA a financially stable organization. To help accomplish this a JAINA Charitable Trust has been established. The first twenty-two founding trustees have elected an Executive Council that will serve for a four year term. They are: Mahendra Pandya, New York, NY-Chair, Niranjan Shah, Chicago, IL-Vice Chair; Bharat Tolia, Detroit, MI-Secretary General; Dhiraj Shah, Buffalo, NY-Controller of Finance; Members-atLarge: Mahendra Varia, Martin, KY; Bhupendra Tolia, Norwood, NJ; Rashmi Kant Gardi, Chicago, IL. Although these Founding Trustees have established the first Executive Council there is always an important place for anyone wishing to become a trustee at this time. If you are interested in becoming a member of the JAINA Charitable Trust you may do so at the following levels: Patron Member - $50,000 US total over five years, Benefactor - $25,000 US total over five years, Sponsor - $10,000 US total over five years, Donor - $500 annually. Please see the bylaws of the JAINA Charitable Trust on pages 26 - 28 of the Jain Digest, November, 1993. For more information contact: the JAINA Charitable Trust, 135 Morningside Drive, Grand Island, New York 14072, phone: 716/773-1314. JAIN DIGEST March 1995
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________________ Invitation to Twin Events!!! PRATISTHA MAHOTSAV and JAINA Convention-95 To: All Jain Centers Presidents and Directors: Do you know that you are going to play a very, very important role at convention because of your leadership position in your Jain community and you are our link to your sangh? Each one of the presidents and directors will be recognized with a distinguished looking badge. And... in a procession, July 2, Sunday, you will be walking in a distinguished group of people with the floats!!! As a JAINA convention coordinator and convener, we are honored and privileged to cordially invite you and your JAIN Sangh to a great historic Twin Events in Chicago, Ill. from June 28 through July 4, 1995. Let me share with you the enormous benefits that are awaiting you!!! And why you and your center, should participate. 1. This will be the largest gathering of all Jains in North America ever. We are anticipating more than 10,000 Jains during this twin events. Can you really afford to miss this historic opportunity? 2. Your YOUTH can participate quite a few different ways: a. Exhibition: Youth with artistic and engineering talents can create a visual display of various Jain concepts and principles. Exhibits can be more dynamic and participative. b. Raas-Garba Competition: Youth with music, and dance talents can bring a team with a help of a director to participate in the cultural events. Of course the song must be a Jain Stavan. Your youth will learn more about Jain concept through music, dance and fun. c. Essay Competition: Youth with writing and research ability can enter into this competition and express their thoughts about Jainism. d. Art Competition: Do you have youth who love to draw or have creative ability? e. Academic Bowl: Bring your sharp, resourceful youth talents with a great memory to this event and win prizes. f. Seminars and workshops: Or simply participate in panel discussions and exchange of ideas on various subjects on Jain Way of Life. Jain March 1995tional For PriJAIN DIGEST only 17
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________________ In short, there is so m...u...c...h to do for your youth of all ages, with varied talents and varied interests that they will learn, grow and have great fun!!! 3. For our Senior Citizens and very religious persons, we have planned a number of "Vyakhyans" and "Pujas" by our Sadhus, monks, and scholars. 4. And ... there is a special program for Jain Ladies ... panel discussions and workshops specially designed to address their concerns. 5. For persons who wish to explore Jainism as a comparative study related to other faiths, we are having Interfaith panels and discussions. 6. For your spiritual uplift and peace, there are a number of pujas and 24 Tirthankars' Pratistha ... first time in North America!!! There is so much to do from June 28 to July 4, '95, you and your sangh should plan a mini-vacation in Chicago, NOW!!! You should bring your entire family including parents and youth to share, to uplift, to feel proud of your heritage, to be more and to enjoy!!! The sooner you make reservations, your chances of getting free host accommodations, or good hotel reservations, are much greater. Some sanghs are planning to bring their members in a chartered bus!!! If order to participate, you and your sangh should plan now so that all participants will have ample time to plan and practice for the activities. Jain Sangh of metropolitan Chicago, is known for gracious hospitality. We in the planning committee are so excited and enthused about various events and activities. We are extending a very special invitation to you and, your Sangh. Act NOW ... and you will have time and opportunity to fully participate. JAI JINENDRA!!! Convention Executive Committee Jagat P. Jain Dhiraj H. Shah Ravindra H. Kobawala Dilip T. Shah Manibhai Mehta Kisor C. Shah Mahendra Pandya Niranjan C. Shah Bipin Parikh Ramesh P. Shah Bhupen J. Shah JAIN DIGEST Jain Education Intemational March 1995 www jainelibrary.org
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________________ SOCIET CHICAGO March 1995 THEME "Peace through Non-Violence" 8th Biennial JAINA Convention 1995 Chicago, IL USA SPONSOR The Federation of Jain Associations in North America SOCIET CAGO ACTIVITIES Panel Discussions, lectures, exhibitions, workshops, debates & essay competition (youth), and cultural programs VISITORS Various Dignitaries, Monks, scholars, and young and adult Jains from around the world are expected to attend. GOALS Interaction between the Jain Communities Awakening of youth to gain a better understanding of the Jain religion To fulfill the demands of future Jain Communities Spreading the principles of Jainism Promoting a Jain way of life in modern times And gain an understanding of the history and future of Jainism JAIN DIGEST YOUTH ACTIVITIES The JAINA Convention will be an excellent opportunity for the youths to gain an understanding and an appreciation for the Jain religion and culture. The 4-day conference will be an event where youths can actively participate in discussions, debates and workshops. parasparopayAye vAma 19
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________________ THE JAIN SOCIETY OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO A Non-Profit Tax Exempt Organization Address: 435 N. Route 59 Bartlett, IL 60103 Phone: (708) 837-1077/9575 Fax: (708) 837-1077 24 Tirthankars Pratishtha Mahotsava June 28 - 29 - 30 and July 1 - 2, 1995 JAINA 8th Biennial Convention July 1-2-3-4, 1995 Hosted by the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago at Bartlett, Illinois Various Dignitaries, Monks, Scholars, and Jains from around the world are expected to attend. For further information please contact: BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ravindra Kobawala 708/355-5622 Dr. Bipin Parikh, PhD. 708/699-1294 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jt. Treasurer President Dipak Kapadia 708/810-9322 Kishor C. Shah 219/922-1470 Youth & Education Vice President Hemendra Shah 708/893-6688 Keerti Shah 708/837-8716 Membership & PR. Secretary Dr. Urmila Talsania 708/969-8845 Samprati Shah 708/529-0463 Exec. Comm. Members Arvind M. Shah 708/699-7778 Treasurer Harshad K. Shah 708/843-3340 Kishor R. Shah 219-922-6145 Bhupen Shah 708/674-0592 Dr. Dilip Shah 708/655-1670 Niranian C. Shah 708/635-7780 JAIN DIGEST nal Use Only Jain Education Intemational www.March 1995
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________________ 24 Tirthankars Pratishtha Mahotsava The Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago will celebrate the auspicious ceremony of Pratishtha Mahotsava of 24 Tirthankars On June 28, 29, 30 and July 1, 1995 at the Jain Temple 435 North Route #59 Bartlett, IL 60103 The four days of festivities will precede the 8th Biennial JAINA Convention. It will involve the installation of the pratimas of all 24 Trithankars, around the inner sanctum of the temple. This ceremony represents the purification process of the sacred pratimas of the Lords. These Pratimas are made of marble and are sculpted in meditative postures, in token of the possessionless state of the Lord Arihantas. During the four days of festivities, participants will be able to witness an important and rare event, and enjoy a series of religious and cultural activities. There will be gheeboli for the following nine pratimas: Shri Aadinath Shri Vasupujyaswami Shri Neminath Shri Mahavirswami Shri Ajitnath Shri Sankheshwar Parshvanath Shri Mallinath Shri Chandraprabhuji Shri Shantinath The opening bids for the gheeboli is set at $41,001 for the nine Tirthankar pratimas. The remaining 15 pratimas will be awarded for a fix donation of $41,001, The deadline for awarding of these pratimas is March 31, 1995, which will facilitate ordering of Shvetamber or Digamber pratimas. A maximum of five families may join together for each pratima gheeboli or a fired donation of $41,001. For more information please contact: Ravindra Kobawala 708/355-5622 Dr. Bipin Parikh, PhD. 708/699-1294 Bhupen Shah 708/674-0592 Dr. Dilip Shah 708/655-1670 Niranian C. Shah 708/635-7780 Kishor C. Shah 219/922-1470 March 1995 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST 21
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________________ JAINA 8th Biennial Convention Competitions and Exhibit Information Essay Competition Group 1: Group 2: Grade Level Grades 9-12 College Level Minimum Number of Words 1,000 2,000 Topics for the Essay Competition: Group 1: Peace Through Non-Violence Group 2: Contributions of Jainism to Non-Violence There will be individual prizes awarded for the Essay Competition. Ist Prize - $500.00, 2nd Prize - $350.00 & 3rd Prize - $250.00. For more information please contact Hemendra Shah @ 708/893-6688 or Samprati Shah @ 708/529-0463. The deadline for submitting Essay is May 13th, 1995 and should be mailed to Hemendra Shah, 808 Spring Valley Court, Schaumburg, IL 60193. Newsletter Competition The entries are invited from all the Jain Organization for the Newsletter Competition. You can select a Newsletter published in the last six months for the competition. Only one entry is allowed per Organization. The Newsletter will be judged for its content, presentation and its effectiveness in promoting Jainism. The deadline for submitting the entry is, May 13th, 1995 and to be mailed to Samprati Shah, 1048 Memphis Circle, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. For further information please contact: Hemendra Shah, Phone 708/ 893-6688 or Samprati Shah, Phone 708/529-0463. Jain Academic Bowl Test your knowledge of Jainism at the 1995 JAINA Convention. Rules for the Academic Bowl Team Competition: 1) Each team must consist of four members. 2) The maximum age of any team member is 21. The average age of the team cannot be greater than 18 years by January 1, 1995. The Academic Bowl will be conducted in English. For more information please contact: Samprati Shah at 708/529-0463 or Saurabh Dalal at 301/577-5215. Raas - Garba Competition The rules for the Raas - Garba Competition: 1) Any Jain Organization (must be JAINA member since 12/31/94) can participate. 2) The dance terms will be judged in the following categories: a) Choreography b) Costumes c) Performance 3) Age Group: Junior (4 to 14 years), Youth (15 to 25 years), Senior (26 and up) Trophies will be awarded for each category. For more information, please contact Megha Doshi @708/735-1020, Mukesh Doshi @ 708/517/2505 or Arvind Shah @ 708/699-7778. Exhibition Information Exhibits are a great medium of communication. The purpose of the exhibition at the 1995 JAINA Convention is to explain a complex concept of Jainism. The exhibit should be education and informative. The exhibition committee encourages your Jain Organization to take up the challenge of putting together an exhibit, as a "Sangh" project, creating an exhibit that depicts one of the following Jain Concepts: Anekantavad, Aparigraha, The Fourteen Swapanas, The Karma Theory, The Jain Monk, The Jain Tirtha, Non-Violence or Vegetarianism. For more information please contact: Hemendra Momaya @ 708/695-0935. 22 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST Forvale & Personal Use Only March 1995
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________________ TRAVEL AND HOUSING INFORMATION Please make you travel arrangements and purchase your air tickets from Jaya Travel and Tours. Special convention discounts are available through Jaya Travel and Tours JAYA TRAVEL AND TOURS 24100 SOUTHFIELD ROAD, SUITE 388, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48075 TEL: 810/559-5292 or 800/545-7788 * FAX: 810/559-2076 Please make all travel arrangement from India with the following travel agent to receive special convention fares. JAYA TRAVEL AND TOURS RIZVI HOUSE 34 HILL ROAD, BANDARA (WEST), BOMBAY, INDIA 400050 TEL: 6423031, 6420402 6425222 OFFICIAL AIRLINES OF 1995 JAINA CONVENTION DOMESTIC: AMERICAN, UNITED FOREIGN: AIR INDIA, KLM Sight-seeing tours for New York, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Grand Canyon are organized. Inter ested person should contact: JAYA TRAVEL AND TOURS. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Special Hotel Rates Special rates are per night, per room and not reflective of tax. Rates are in effect for Pratishtha/JAINA Convention, providing rooms are available. Early booking is suggested to ensure discounted rate. Credit Card guarantee (a first night deposit) is necessary at the time of booking. HOLIDAY INN $65.00 345 WEST RIVER ROAD, ELGIN, IL 60123 708/695-5000 Shuttle Bus Service will be available from the motel to the Temple Site. FOR HOUSING & TRANSPORTATION. PLEASE CONTACT: Mr. Pradip R. Shah 1484 Hodlmair Court, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Home: 708/529-0393 * Office: 708/771-3340 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Federation of Jain Associations In North America 8th Biennial JAINA Convention, 1995 Early-Bird Registration Early-Bird Registration includes JAINA Convention Souvenir Brochure, accommodations at a host-family home or hotel/motel! arrangements at convention rates. Early Bird Registration fees before April 30, 1995 - Individual/$25.00, Family/$35.00 Registration fee after April 30, 1995 or at the door: Individual/$35.00, Family/$50.00 Please register me/us for the 1995 JAINA Convention: Name: Address: Phone: Family Information: - Spouse: Children: 1 - Make all checks payable to Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago: Att.: Urmila Talsania, 435 North Route #59 Bartlett, IL 60103, Phone 708/969-8845. For accommotdations, contact Pradip Shah at 708/529-0393. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - March 1995 JAIN DIGEST Jain Education Intemational
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________________ JAINA 8th Biennial Convention Directory Coordinator Ramesh Shah Federation of Jain Associations in North America 216/442-4596 Convener Niranjan C. Shah The Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago 708/635-7780 Vice-Conveners Bipin Parikh Kishor C. Shah 708/699-1294 219/922-1470 Committee Audio/Video Books/Art Cultural Activity Essay Competition Exhibition Facilities Finance/Accounting Food Fund Raising Host/Accommodation Interfaith Ladies Program Leadership Seminars Media Production Medical Newsletter Competition Photography Procession/Floats Program Publicity Reception/Registration Sadhu/Monks Souvenir Transportation/Security Travel Volunteers Youth Program Chairperson Suresh C. Shah Manu Doshi 24 Megha A. Doshi Mukesh M. Doshi Arvind M. Shah Hemendra Shah Samprati Shah Hemendra Momaya Pravin M. Shah Deepak Kapadia Kishor R. Shah Ravindra Kobawala Kishor C. Shah Niranjan C. Shah Bipin Parikh Pradip R. Shah Rashmi Gardi Sharda Jain Balu Patel Bhupen J. Shah Narendra Velani Dilip T. Shah Samprati Shah Shetal M. shah Lalit Desai Siddharth Jhaveri Suresh Shah Keerti N. Shah Bharat Kothari Samprati Shah Bipin Parikh Kirti N. Shah Niranjan C. Shah Kirti N. Shah Urmila Talsania Jagdish Mehta Bhupen J. Shah Kishor C. Shah Harshad K. Shah Jayshree V. Shah Chandanben R. Shah Rajnikant T. Shah Ami S. Shah Viken J. Shah Telephone 414/859-3020 708/735-0120 708/735-0120 708/517-2505 708/699-7778 708/893-6688 708/529-0463 708/695-0935 815/436-1312 708/810-9322 219/922-6145 708/355-5622 219/922-1470 708/635-7780 708/699-1294 708/529-0393 708/428-4298 708/655-4991 708/635-8670 708/674-0592 708/483-2323 708/655-1670 708/529-0463 312/508-5504 708/665-8677 708/289-0599 708/837-1133 708/837-8716 708/213-6642 708/529-0463 708/699-1294 708/837-8716 708/635-7780 708/837-8716 708/969-8845 708/310-9285 708/674-0592 219/922-1470 708/843-3340 708/428-3665 708/876-1279 708/876-1279 708/529-0463 708/884-1211 JAINA Liaison Vasant Sheth Keshav Chandaria K. Gosalia Shirish Shah Manoj Dharamsi Kanen Jhaveri Shanti Mohnot Shanti Mohnot Manhar Sheth Ramesh P. Shah Vinod Doshi Vinod Doshi Gyanchand Jain Harilal Shah Lax Nagda Sanjay Pandya Ramesh Jain Ramesh Jain Manoj Dharamsi Shanti Shah Hansa Varia Bhadra Kothari Vinay Jain Jagdish Mehta Anop Vora Lalit Pansar Jagat Jain Manibhai Mehta Ramesh Jain Dhiraj Shah Ajit Jain Harish Jain Anant Jain Manoj Jain Ajit Jain Atul Tolia Prabodh Vaidya Jitu Turakhia R. Shah Harilal Shah Naresh Shah Om Prakash Jain Mohan Mehta Dilip Shah Sobhagya Khamesra Pritam Mehta Arvind Shah/Jaya Tra. Kamal Jain Telephone 905/837-3335 JAIN DIGEST 905/886-4395 602/863-1073 216/974-0535 703/620-9837 905/827-7621 412/856-9235 412/856-9235 905/828-9879 216/856-9235 412/856-9235 412/856-9235 510/487-9380 905/741-0012 718-816-0083 416/626-8078 412/974-8333 703/620-9837 905/887-9390 214/644-0294 905/820-0659 617/237-5997 905/646-4456 416/243-1487 716/688-0104 714/898-3156 416/626-8078 716/773-1314 416/622-2626 905/525-5621 214/231-5208 617/237-5997 416/622-2626 905/278-1743 708/985-9144 315/622-3287 905/890-4834 Urmila Talsania Ashish Vaidya Sorabh Dalal Sanjay Vora Shan Jain If you would like to participate in any of the above mentioned programs please contact the chairperson representing your interest. 510/487-9280 516/741-9269 416/749-1051 416/626-1277 215/561-0758 905/274-6464 905/897-6631 313/559-5292 905/735-6194 708/969-8845 716/773-1314 301/577-5215 412/325-4978 905/827-7494 March 1995
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________________ Your involvement in the 8th Biennial Convention is encouraged through program participation, attendance and financial support. By becoming a sponsor or advertising in the Convention Souvenir Brochure you help us make this convention the best ever. Sponsor's Name: Address: Federation of Jain Associations in North America 8th Biennial JAINA Convention Sponsorship and Souvenir Advertisement Phone Number: Corporate Sponsor" Swami Valsalya Dinner................. Corporate Co-Sponsor ** Sponsor...... Co-Sponsor...... Grand Benefactor. Benefactor...... Patron..... Donor..... March 1995 .... $ 15,000 15,000 I would like to actively participate and support the convention by sponsoring the above marked activities. You will find the check enclosed. FUND RAISING COMMITTEE Kishor C. Shah Niranjan C. Shah Bipin Parikh Dr. Bhagwandas Jain Dr. Vasantha Kumaraiah SOUVENIR ADVERTISEMENT Back Page Outside (full-page ad in color).......... 7,500 Back Page Inside (full page ad in color)............. 5,000 Front Page Inside (full-page ad in color) Back 3rd Page Inside Ad........ Full-Page Ad / Good Wishes 5,000 2,000 1,000 Half Page... 600 Quarter Page...... 350 One full-color-page ad plus booth **One full-page ad plus booth 10,000 10,000 5,000 2,500 1,000 500 250 (219) 922-1470 (708) 635-2780 (708) 699-1294 (708) 571-6045 (708) 481-1446 Fax: Make checks payable to and send to: THE JAIN SOCIETY OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO 435 N Rt. 59. Bartlett, IL 60103 U.S.A. For further information, please call: SOUVENIR COMMITTEE Bhupen J. Shah (708) 674-0592 Kishor C. Shah (219) 922-1470 JAIN DIGEST 25
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________________ JAINA 8th Biennial Convention Youth Forum What are your plans for July 4th weekend? Come to Chicago and meet youths from all across the country. Participate in debates and workshops, listen to speakers, attend cultural shows and youth garba or represent your university and profession of choice. This is only a preview of events and ideas for the JAINA Convention, 1995. JAINA Youth Forum would like to tailor the convention to individual interest and needs, so your input essential. Please fill out the attached survey and mail it ASAP to: JAINA YOUTH FORUM C/O Viken Shah 1998 Dunmore Pl., Hoffman Estates, IL. 60195 YOUTH REGISTRATION Full Name: Father's Name: Mother's Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Phone #: Email Address: Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy): - Gender: M or F Circle the convention(s) you have attended before, if any: Toronto San Francisco Pittsburgh Chicago (YJA) London Regional Occupation: Jain Center Affiliation (if applicable): - Please return the registration form, along with the survey, to the address indicated on the first page by April 15, 1995. Your quick response will help us plan better. 26 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST March 1995
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________________ Speaker Committee As part of the youth program, we are considering to invite eminent speakers to talk on various subjects related to Jainism. To make this interesting to you, the youth, we request you to voice your opinion about the topics you would like to be addressed. Please rank the following 1, 2, 3, in order of your interest. (1: not interested, 2: interested, 3: very interested.) Living a Jain Way of Life in the West - Jain Religion Animal Rights Vegetarianism - Non-Violence - Interracial Dating/Marriages Preserving Our Jain Culture - Forgiveness Professional Ethics Gender Issues Parent and Teenage Views Jainism: Past, Present and Future Workshops & Games The tentative topics for the youth workshops at the 1995 JAINA Convention are: 1) Fasting: (beasnu): why we fast (spiritual and health reasons) Pooja: how and why, explanation of various poojas. Jain festivals: explanation of Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan etc. Jainism and other religion Careers: Q & A booths with professionals from various sectors Vegetarian and healthy cooking Yoga: why and how we do it 7) Activities for younger youth: 1) Jain Jeopardy Scavenger Hunt and fun fair Story telling Art Contests 4) Please rank above items 1, 2, 3 in order of your interests. (1: not interested, 2: interested, 3: very interested.) If you would like to help with or participate in any of the preceding workshops and/or activities please circle that item. Also if there are other topics you would like to see addressed, please list them, with brief description below: March 1995 JAIN DIGEST Jain Education Intemational For Private & Personal use only
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________________ Decoration Committee To all creative youth: Get involved in this year's JAINA convention! Please list any suggestions you have for decorating the convention space: Also if you would like to create paintings, photography, posters, etc. to display a the convention. Please send them to us by mail at the previously listed address. Fund-Raising Committee At past conventions, youth have had the option to purchase souvenir and other religious tiems. What other items, would you like to see at the 1995 Convention. We would appreciate your input. Social Committee The JAINA Youth Forum is planning a youth social activity for the convention. Please check the youth social activity that you would like to request. Any additional comments or suggestions are welcomed ... Garba/Raas Gujarati play Formal Get-together (may include a local musician group/Hindi songs, etc.) Please indicate any other suggestions. Volunteer Committee The volunteer committee would like to make a general request for extra pairs of hands during the days of the convention. Volunteering would really help the various committees and would give you an opportunity to meet people from all over the country. If you would like to help out, but can't make a long term commitment because of distance and/or time, please indicate below where you would like to volunteer. continued on page 33 28 JAIN DIGEST March 1995 Jain Education Intemational
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________________ INTERNATIONAL NEWS Jain Monks Tour Europe and Isreal After a successful six-month tour of the United States, Saman Sthitprajna and Saman Shrutprajna, disciples of Acharyashri Tulsi of Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan, India, were invited to visit Europe and Israel. They spent one week in Switzerland, ten days in Austria, four days in France, three days in Spain, three days in Greece, and three days in Israel. During their visit to these places, Samans gave lectures on Anuvrat and non-violence, and conducted classes on Preksha Dhyan. The first ever, Preksha Meditation and Yoga Center has been established in Meiningen, Austria and will be managed by Gerhard and Margreth Kuhn. A similar center in United States has been established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In New York, the Samans had an opportunity to visit the United Nations and meet Mr. Joseph Reed, special representative of UN Secretary General. They talked to him about Anuvrat, Science of Living, Preksha Meditation, and non-violence. In United States the Samans visited and delivered lectures at various places in New York, Connecticut, Texas, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Jain Monk Fasts for 201 days Shri Sahajmuni Maharaj, a 61 year old Jain monk, ended a record breaking 201 day fast on January 9, 1995 in Bombay. This is believed to be the longest period a human being has survived without food and surpasses the well known fast of 180 days undertaken by Lord Mahavir over 2500 years ago. Shri Sahajmuni Maharaj was born in the Punjab and was initiated into monkhood at the age of twenty. At thirty-three, he fasted for 21 days; increasing these fasting periods to 31 and 93 days shortly thereafter. Experts say that the fasting requires a tremendous amount of will power and Sahajmuni seemed to have it in abundance. March 1995 During the fasting period, he lived on just two glasses of warm water daily, one in the morning and the second just before sunset. Although he lost about 80 lbs, it is reported that there was no impact on his mental health. His objectives for putting himself through this unprecedented fast were, self purification and world peace. Shri Sahajmuni Maharaj. While fasting, he stayed at Ahimsa Bhavan located in Khar, a northwestern suburb of Bombay. Thousands of Jains and Indians of other faiths came to take a glimpse of this extra ordinary person and helped raise over $300,000 for religious charities. Fasting has been practiced by the major religions of India through out the ages. Even the Greek philosophers, Socrates and Plato, used to fast for 10 days, once a year. Jainism in partricular has placed a very heavy emphasis on fasting for internal purification, self control and for achieving Moksha. In fact, Jain history is replete with the stories of people having made significant spiritual progress by fasting. Sahajmuni's record breaking fast seems to have generated a renewed interest in fasting among Jains and non-Jains alike. It has also challenged the common belief in the medical profession that a man can not live for more than 30 days without food. Mind over matter! Here is a sampling of the wonderful congratulatory notes that were received by Sahajmuni. "Your successful fast will shower blessings on the community and mankind as a whole." "When a Saint shines the world shines." "You are blessed by Mahavir and you have passed those blessings on to us." "Your selfless sacrifices for a good cause have set an example for devotees and others." "Your fasts have strenghtened the morality of mankind." "Those who sacrifice for others, others learn to sacrifice for them." JAIN DIGEST "In the sacrificial spirit we find the height of life, you have proved it." "The Light of your sacrifice, overpowers the darkness of ignorance." The more we sacrifice, the more we become humble" continued on page 33 29
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________________ SATYA, the Truth Manubhai Doshi Musavao Cha Logammi, Savvasahuhim Garibio l Avisaso Cha Bhuyanam, Tamha Mosam Vivajjae ll Telling lies has been denounced by all the saints in the universe. Lies cause distrust among the people and should therefore be given up. Dashuaikalik Sutra By truth we normally mean not telling lies. This is verbal truth which has its own importance. Let us examine its implications. While dealing with other people, if we happen to believe what a person tells us is true, we can rely upon his statement. In that case, we can afford to take action in light of what he has said. But, if we have doubts about what he says is true it causes us to distrust him. As stated in the afore mentioned quotation of the Dashvaikalik Sutra. In this case we have to find out the truth before coming to any decision. If people speak the truth, life would be easy and dealing with one another would be smooth. Speaking truth is therefore in everyone's interest. The purpose of telling a lie is to hide the truth. The question arises about statements that are verbally true but, which purport to hide reality. For instance, it is possible to make an equivocal statement that enables the speaker to interpret in his way, while causing the listener to draw a completely different conclusion. Or, one may deliberately indulge in ambiguous words so as to keep others in the dark about the reality. In such cases, the speaker usually intends to hide the truth while making an apparently correct statement. This makes it hard for others to correctly understand the situation. In order to avoid this, truth must be unambiguous and unequivocal. With this in mind, Mahatma Gandhi has said that in the case of unclear statements, the meaning drawn by the listener should be considered - binding. If this rule were applied in every situation few would be attempted to indulge in ambiguity or equivocality. Another aspect of truth is that it must be beneficial. The scriptures, while dealing with truth, frequently mention: Satyam Hitakaram Cha. This means that, what one speaks, should be true, as well as, beneficial. The question arises, 'What should we do when we think that speaking the truth would not be beneficial?' This is a very pertinent question, because we do come across situations in which it may not be beneficial, appropriate or even advisable to speak truth. Do we have to state the truth even if it seems undesirable? To answer to this question, let us examine an anecdote from the time of Lord Mahavir. One of his principal pupils was Muni Metarya, who is also known as Metarajmuni. One afternoon the Muni went to the house of a goldsmith for alms of food. At that time, the goldsmith was preparing barley shaped grains of gold for making some costly jewelry. Seeing the Muni at his door, he left his work and went inside to get some food. Meanwhile, the Muni noticed that the pet bird of the goldsmith came and swallowed the 30 golden grains thinking they were real barley grains. As the goldsmith came out with the food, he saw that the grains of gold were missing. He therefore asked the Muni about the whereabouts of the precious grains. It was a dilemma for Muni. Should he tell the truth, risking that the goldsmith would kill the bird to getting the grains of gold out of its stomach? The Muni would then be instrumental in causing the violence. He therefore decided to keep silent. The goldsmith asked him again and again, but the Muni would not reply. Since there was no reply the goldsmith concluded that the Muni was hiding the golden grains. He could not afford to lose the costly grains and therefore decided to use force to get back the grains. As the normal force did not yield any result, the goldsmith decided to resort to extremely violent means. He brought a moist lace of leather and tied it tight around the Muni's head. Then he made the Muni to stand under the sun. As the lace began to dry by the sun's heat, it compressed the Muni's head. The compression went on as the lace got drier. Ultimately, the eyes of the Muni came out becuase of the extreme pressure. Meanwhile, the bird could not digest the golden grains and they passed through his body. As the goldsmith saw this, he repented for his actions. However, it was too late because Muni's soul had already left the mortal body. The question may arise what one should do under similar circumstances. Jainism expects us not to indulge or to be instrumental in any violence act by word, thought or action. If a person is spiritually oriented, he cannot speak anything that would result in violence to other beings. Metarya Muni could have saved his own life as well as that of the bird, if he had fabricated some story acceptable to the goldsmith. That would however amount to lieing which he could not do. He therefore decided to sacrifice his life for the life of the bird. Some people may think that this is violence to one own being. However, the implication of the word is to cause violence to others not to oneself. Sacrificing one's own life willingly for saving others is not violence. In addition to being beneficial, truth has to be palatable. We have experienced many cases when people, expressing truth, present it bluntly or bitterly. They seem to think that bitterness is inevitable for stating truth. They have to realize that truth need not be unpleasant. It can be expressed sweetly and nicely. The approach should be Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram which means: one's speach should be true, beneficial and nice. Prima facie, it may not seem easy to put this into practice. But if a person stays vigilant, it would not be very hard to do this. The experience gained from that would show that the amount of patiences and sacrifice required for the purpose is worthwhile. Spiritual aspirants should put this into practice. The Pauranic story of King Harishchandra describes how he faced all sorts of adversities and distress for keeping his word. That story is considered an ideal for any one who has regard - for truth. Mahatma Gandhi was very impressed by watching a dramatic version of this story during childhood. It caught his imagination. He writes in his autobiography that he repeatedly played that drama in his mind and while visualizing the distress that Harishchandra faced, tears would rolled down from his eyes. His mind held on to the idea that everyone should be truthful. The JAIN DIGEST March 1995
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________________ importance that he attached to truth can be traced to this story. However, all of us cannot be Harishchandras. Sacrificing for the sake of truth is not an easy task and may be beyond the capability of ordinary people. We happen to indulge in lies routinely in life. Sometimes we tend to conceal the truth for the sake of our self interest. Sometimes we like to tell a lie to gain something or averting loss. Such situations generally arise from our short sightedness. If we are enlightened enough, we can easily see that self interest is not in our genuine interest. Unfortunately we are not immune to pursuing parochial gain and at times, we happen to do so even though that may be harmful to others. The total observance of truth can be difficult. Jainism lays down two levels for its observance: total observance of truth for monks and nuns since they have renounced worldly life and do not seek material gain; and for the laymen, Jainism insists on refraining from telling major lies that would result in gross harm coming to others. Tradition lays down five examples of lies that every one should try to avoid. 1. Sudden utterance that would shock others 2. Disclosure of the close secrets 3. Divulgence of the secrets of spouse 4. Misappropriation 5. Forgery The seers have foreseen that people mayindulge in a breach or transgression of these restraints. Therefore we are required to recall these transgressions during Pratikraman and ask for atonement. Vyavahar Satya or practical truth. Satya has a deeper and more subtle implication. The word Satya is derived from 'Sat' which means existence. As such, whatever exists is Satya. Science now conforms to the concept that nothing can be destroyed in its entirity. Jainism has believed from the very beginning that whatever exists, continues to exist in one form or other and what we call production or destruction is merely transformation. Thus 'Sat' means eternal existence. As such, understanding the nature of the everlasting substances and behaving in tune with that nature is Satya. It must be remembered that Satya and Dharma (truth and religion) are not different from each other. It is interesting to note that Jainism defines religion as Vatthu Sahavo Dhammo which literally means that the nature of a thing is religion. In this context, Vatthu stands for everlasting substances that we know as Dravyas. Jainism lays down that there are six such Dravyas. Of these, we are mainly concerned with Jiva or soul. For all practical purposes therefore, Satya is soul, which is also known as Brahma, atma, Chaitanya, and consciousness. To speak and to act in tune with the nature of the soul is therefore religion as well as truth. This is the supreme truth and is known as Paramarth Satya. A truthful person has to be primarily concerned with the well being of his soul. If one has the right perspective, one can easily see that by lieing, he may or may not hurt others, but one most assuredly hurts his own soul by defiling it. Observance of truth or Satya is definitely in one's own interest. The Jain Digest is interested in previewing any articles of general interest on Jain philosophy or values that we could publish. Please send your article to: Manubhai Doshi, 931 Golden Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045 The Jain Society of Metropolitian Chicago and The Federation of Jain Associations In North America Extends a Cordial Invitation to all Affiliates and Other Interest Groups to attend The 8th Biennial JAINA Convention's Special Breakfast on Monday, July 3, 1995 from 7:00 - 8:30 A.M. Jain Visha Porwal Bhithrot Samaj Surat Visa Shrimali Jains Jain Social Group of Los Angeles Kutchi Gurjar Jain Society Jain Social Group of Toronto International Mahavir Jain Mission, U. S. and Canada Mahavir Mahila Mandal Jain Medication International Center, U. S. and Canada International Alumni Association of M. J. Vidyalaya Shri S. S. Jain Foundation Kutchi Oswal Jains Jain Social Group of Chicago Brahmi Jain Society, U. S. and Canada March 1995 JAIN DIGEST Jain Education Intematonal FOTO Petersen www.jainelib .org
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________________ CHICAGO JAIN Ravindra and Pallavi Kobawala Chairman Pratishtha Mahotsava 1995 w Kishor and Rashmi Shah Vice Chairman JAINA Convention 1995 PEACE THROUGH 32 JAIN DIGEST March 1995
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________________ International News, continued from page 29 TEMPLE His Holiness, The Pope Recieves a Jain Delegration The Insitiute of Jainology organized the first Jain Delegation to participate in an Interfaith Dialogue in Rome. His Excellency, Dr. L. M. Singhvi, the High Commissioner for India to the U. K., briefed the Pontificium Consilium Pro Dialogo Inter Religiones, on the History of Jainism. Padmanabh Jainni presented the cardinal principals of Jainism, Kumarpal Desai spoke on the cultural heritage, Vinod Kapashi described the activities of Jains outside of India and Dina Shah, President of the Young Jains, U.K., discussed questions pertaining to the participation of youth in religious activities. The meeting was followed by a visit to the Vatican and a private audience with His Holiness, Pope John II. The Pope welcomed the deligation and showed great deal of interest in contact with Jains and the expansion of an interfaith dialogue. All the members of the delegation were presented to the Pope and presented him with books of Jainism. Convention Information, continued from page 28 Declamation Contest In addition to the Essay Competition sponsored by JAINA, the JAINA Youth Forum will be sponsoring an on-site Declamation Contest. For ages 16 and above the topics will be: Niranjan and Lata Shah Chairman JAINA Convention 1995 Youth Initative for the Continuity of Jainism in the Western World or The Necessity of Lord Mahavir's Message for Improvement in Our Society There will be a maximum time limit for speaking of seven minutes. For ages 15 and younger the topics will be: Peace through Non-violence Bipin and Rekha Parikh Vice Chairman JAINA Convention 1995 or What Jainism Means to Me There will be a maximum time limit for speaking of five minutes. A special award ceremoney will be held for the winners. The JAINA Convention will be a excellent opportunity for young people to gain a better understanding and appreciation for Jainism, religiously and culturally. The three day convention will be an event where young people can actively participate in discussions, debates and worshops. Come and join us! Make this event the most successful convention ever. NON-VIOLENCE June 1994 JAIN DIGEST 33 Jain Education Intemational
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________________ YOUNG JAINS AMERICA Mintu Turakhia is the course coordinator of "South Asian be limited to the "now even harder to get to" pathshala classes. It 98/198: Jainism in the Modern World," the first ever completely would be relatively easy to start a Jain student association, student-run, university-approved seminar on Jainism at the University of California at Berkeley. The course aims to study the funda especially since UC Berkeley has over 400 registered student mentals of Jain religion and philosophy, and progress towards groups. However, a college mini-Jain center could never provide contemporary issues affecting the Jain Diaspora such as vegetarian- the satisfaction of learning more about the religion from inside of ism, occupational choices, and sexuality. The course also aims to the classroom. examine social issues including overpopulation, homelessness, and euthanasia in the context of Jain philosophy. During the next two years of college, I found many other Ithough there exists a substantial number of Asian and students who shared my plight and were very interested in taking South Asian Studies departments scattered at Col- a Jainism class. Although many were friends or familiar faces from leges and Universities across America, less than a our local Jain Center, there were still many others who expressed handful offer courses dedicated to interest in taking the class out of personal Jainism and Jain Studies. Of the courses interest. "A lot of my friends, including that are offered, most are research my roommate, are Jain, and I want to oriented, graduate-level courses, get a better understanding of why which are way above the level of they live their lives the way they the general student. Upon en do," said one senior, now taktering the University of Cali ing the class. "The whole fornia at Berkeley, I was philosophy sounds very delighted to learn that not GOES TO SCHOOL non-judgmental and only does the school have a reputed South open-minded, and that interests me," and Southeast Asian Studies Department, but offers an under- said another class student. The need was established; now it was graduate course on Jainism as well: "South Asian 160: Jainism and simply a matter of pushing our way through university bureaucOther Heterodox Systems." The opportunity to take such a class racy. added to my college freshman excitement. Unfortunately, after further inquiry, I learned that the class was no longer being taught, Fortunately at Berkeley, there is already a mechanism that and that other South Asian classes at Berkeley devoted relatively simplifies the task of getting student-run courses approved: DElittle time to Jainism. It seemed that Jainism was virtually dead in Cal (Democratic Education at Cal), a University-sponsored orthis part of Academia, and that my knowledge of the subject would JAIN DIGEST Jain Education Intemational 34 March 1995.org
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________________ Inside REPORT tarting in the Spring of 1995, Young Jains of included are the past publications involving YJA such as Young America (YJA) is implementing a new pilot pro- Minds, Jain Digest, JAINA Focus, the YJA Convention '94 gram, FosterFocus, for YJA to work on at the grass Souvenir and national Indian newspaper and magazine articles. roots level and develop and nurture youth groups across Then a section describes a variety of pilot programs for local North America. The goals of FosterFocus are youth groups to adopt and increase youth participation within - To foster and nourish local youth groups nationwide, their respective cities. Also, FosterFocus evaluation procedures - Increase networking and interaction among Jain youth and forms for local youth and YJA Coordinators to provide nationwide, and regular feedback to maximize the success of FosterFocus. Fi-Prepare and develop Jain leaders of tomorrow. nally, there is a list of all local youth representatives, who are the In the program a local youth group will be paired with instrumental youth who form the foundation of YJA. These a YJA Coordinator through whom the youth group will have access to a wealth of resources and ideas with which the youth group can advance. This also ensures a one-to-one relationship between the youth group and YJA. Each youth group will also adopt a national project (i.e., a local project with national scope and (FOCUS impact) to provide focus for the group and as a result A New, All-Encompassing Visionary Program produce a self-sufficient youth group. FosterFocus is set up as a long term program for several years with cities and handbooks provide a wealth of information projects to be renewed periodically. in themselves to assist the youth group. Each local youth representative and YJA coordinator is Initially, from twenty-five cities across North equipped with a comprehensive handbook, entitled YJA: The America, ten were chosen in which to implement Power of Vision. First are descriptions of the beginning of YJA, FosterFocus, based on telephone interviews with local youth the organization and structure of YJA, the minutes of past representatives. The cities participating in FosterFocus are Executive Board Meetings considering its current value. Also Boston, Massachusetts; Central/South New Jersey; Charlotte, TUSIU... Jainism Goes to School continued from previous page sponsored student-run classes, ranging from "The Sociology of Gender and Sexuality" to "The Joy of Garbage." Surely a class on a religion emphasizing non-violence wouldn't cause any contro- versy. tional persistence, we even found a discussion leader and some money to fund the class. The work was done, and the paperpushing followed with ease. Having had no prior experience, we had no idea what we were getting into, but we were confident that our efforts would be worthwhile. Once I knew that there were still at least two dozen students who wanted to take the course, I had no problem getting Berkeley's Department of South and Southeast Asian Studies to sponsor the course. I then gathered a group of interested students to help plan the course. Under guidance from the department, we drafted the course curriculum, syllabus, and reading list. With some addi- Thirty-five students came to the first day of class, about fifteen of whom weren't Jain. In my modesty (or naiveti), I thought that making 25 copies of the syllabus was an overkill. On day one, Kristi Wiley, a department graduate student and course discussion leader, presented a brief overview of Jain history and philosophy. However, the discussion was too fast-paced for many students, especially those knew nothing about Jainism before coming to March 1995 JAIN DIGEST 35
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________________ Inside REPORT. North Carolina; Cincinnati, Ohio; Montreal, Quebec, Los An- group activities (past and present) in North America. Upcoming geles, California: Phoenix, Arizona; San Francisco, California; issues of YJA publications, such as Young Minds and the YJA Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Washington, DC. portion of Jain Digest-Fresh Ideas, will be composed and Each of these cities will be adopting different national published by the youth in Cincinnati. In addition, youth groups projects to work on in the next five months. These projects are in Boston, Charlotte, Los Angeles, and Montreal will be workdescribed below and the city chosen for - Membership REPORT.ing with the Chicago youth by provideach project is listed as well. In San ing as much help as possible in setting Francisco, the youth will publish a mem- One of the main goals of YJA for this year is up panels, exhibits, seminars, etc. for bership roster of all YJA members with to concentrate on extablishing a sound the JAINA Convention in July 1995. relationship with existing youth groups and complete educational and professional help foster new groups. YJA is only as Overall, with FosterFocus, YJA information. The youth group in Phoe- strong as each of its local youth groups. We will be able to develop powerful youth nix will set up a community project for encourage all youths (14-29 years) of your groups across North America, which in communities to fillout a YJA membership all youth groups by establishing it within turn will be making an impact across form, if they haven't done so already. This their city and then expanding to nearby form will be used to complete a membership the continent with the various projects cities and youth groups on a national roster, which will be published later this year. they will be working on. In the end, level. A list of recommended lecturers Last year we recieved membership forms solid youth groups will be independfrom about 1,500 youth by the years end. and books on Jainism for youth to access This roster will serve as an essential tool in ently running in several Jain Societies | will be compiled by the youth group in increasing communications and the sharing ensuring the strength of YJA and Washington, DC. The Jain Youth Group of ideas among the youth. Please send in Jainism into the future. If you have any your forms as soon as possible. of Central/South New Jersey will be set questions, comments or suggestions, ting up a book drive to collect used/old or would like to get involved in a project, textbooks from across North America from grade school to please contact Pamit Surana at (305) 386-8960 or Samir Mehta college for shipment and distribution in India. For display at the at (713) 277-5401. - by Pavin Zaveri upcoming JAINA Convention in Chicago, the youth in Tulsa For more information please contact: Pavan Zaveri (512) 505-0810 will compile a YJA Scrapbook of articles and pictures of youth Samir Mehta (512) 505-0860 Pamit Surana (305) 386-8960 class. "Huh?" was a sentiment shared by many that day. However, course, we hope to provide a place for Jain students to discuss their through class participation and some trial and error, we soon experiences. Most importantly, however, we want all students to gained a clear idea of the level at which to teach. Since then, leave with a clear understanding of Jain philosophy and the ability presentations have proved informative and discussions, very stimu- to discuss contemporary issues in its context. As each week passes, lating. During week six, we were treated to a special slide Kristi and I find our roles as discussion leaders fading faster and presentation on Jain art and architecture by Robert del Bonta, faster - the students are able lead discussions and field questions curator of the Jain art exhibit at the San Francisco Asian American with confidence and enthusiasm. By week 14, we hope that our Museum of Art. Since week seven, all of our class discussions are roles fade completely. If so, we will know for certain that our goals being led entirely by the students themselves. have been achieved. If you are interested knowing more about the course or starting your own, please contact Mintu Turakhia at 510-548Every time a student asks a question, leads a discussion, or 6120 or mintu@uclink2.berkeley.edu. His advice: "it's much dozes off while we discuss anu vratas and gunavratas, I wonder if easier to do than you think." Editors: we will fulfill our goals and expectations. First, by having such as YJA Public Relations Director: Seema Bhimani Bhavin Nicholas Shah Seema Bhimani 36 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST March 1995 .org W anneem.org
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________________ JAIN TEMPLE, SIDDHACHALAM JAI JANENDRA With Best Wishes From INTERNATIONAL MAHAVIR JAIN MISSION, I.M.J.M. UNITED NATIONS AFFILIATED N.G.O. Siddhachalam 65 Mud Pond Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825 Tel: 908/362-9793 * Fax: 908/362-9649 12 "NON-VIOLENCE IS THE KEY TO GLOBAL SURVIVAL" 37 March 1995 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST
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________________ JAIN DIGEST-PUBLICATION FUND IN MEMORY OF ACHARYA SHREE SUSHIL KUMAR JI We wish to thank the following donors who gave so generously to the JAINA Publication Fund for the special commemorative issue of the Jain Digest which was dedicated to the memory of Acharya Shree Sushil Kumar Ji. Ashok and Saroj Bavishi, Overland Park, KS - $21.00 Herbert Becker, Berlin, Germany - $20.00 Alok and Anjali Bhaiji, Strongsville, OH - $500.00 N. K. and S. N. Bharani, Downers Grove, IL - $11.00 Gajendra, Rashmi and Pinakin Bhatt, Antioch, CA - $15.00 Ashok and K. Deepkia Dalal, Cooper City, FL - $25.00 Bharat and Leena Dalal, Pittsburgh, PA - $11.00 Mukundray and Mayurin Dalia, North Royalton, OH - $25.00 Suryakant and Usha Dawawala, Casselberry, FL - $21.00 Vinaykant and Kumud Desai, Corona, CA - $11.00 Rekha and Pradeep Dasai, North Caldwell, NJ - $20.00 Dodhais, Lincoln RI - $21.00 Mira Doshi, Bakerfield,CA - $11.00 Vipul P. Doshi, Fairfax, VA - $11.00 Hiten J. Doshi, Little Canada, MN - $11.00 Talak and Ranjan Doshi, Markham, Ont. - $25.00 Kant and Shridevi Doshi, Overland Park, KS - $11.00 Laxmichand and Alka Dugad, San Diego, CA - $11.00 Keshavji and Kiran Gala, Orlando, FL - $11.00 Narendra and Daksha Gandhi, Fair Lawn, NJ - $11.00 Ray and Nayna Gokaldas, Norwalk, CA - $11.00 M. J. and K. M. Gosalia, Lexington, KY - $11.00 Niroo and Narendrakes Gupta, Franklin Lakes, NJ - $11.00 Virchand and Lilavanti Hefa, Ridgefield, NJ - $21.00 Chandrakant and Ila Itchhaporia, Hixson, TN - $11.00 Raj and Sunita Jain - $21.00 Roshan and Santosh Jain - $21.00 Arvind Jain, Berkeley, CA - $21.00 Rajnish and Renu Jain, Boutte, LA - $21.00 Sushil and Vijay Jain, Bryan, OH - $11.00 Vinod and Usha Jain, Centerville, OH - $11.00 Amit and Sushma Jain, Glen Ridge, NJ - $11.00 Subhash and Kaushal Jain, Iowa City, IA - $21.00 Chandra and Koyal Jain, Mentor, OH - $11.00 Jagjit and Rani Jain, Oak Park, IL - $15.00 Sudhir and Pramila Jain, Old Bridge, NJ - $11.00 Ved and Chhaya Jain, Richmond, VA - $21.00 Megh K. Jain, San Hose, CA - $21.00 Rakesh and Sandhya Jain, San Jose, CA - $11.00 Jagat and Urmila Jain, Williamsville, NY - $21.00 N. K. Jain, Winnipeg - $50.00 Padmanabha. S. Jaini, Kensington, CA - $21.00 Chandrakant and Damayanti Jogani, Fallston, MD - $11.00 Virendra and Nalini Juthani, Scarsdale, NY - $25.00 Deepak and Urmi Kadia, Dayton, NJ - $21.00 Harshukh D. Kamani - $11.00 Bharat and Bharati Kamdar, Monte Sereno, CA - $25.00 Bharari Karia, Mississauga, Ont - $ 25.00 Sudhir and Dharini Khona, Jacksonville, FL - $11.00 S. V. Kothari, Cherry Hill, NJ - $11.00 H itendra and Rupa Kuvadia, Louisville, KY - $11.00 Chandrika P. Lakhani, Canfield, OH - $15.00 Govind and Lina Lalani, Indio, CA - $25.00 S, S and P Lathia, Markham, Ont - $25.00 Navin and Javer Mediwala, Houston, TX - $11.00 Mahendra Mehta, Alberta, Canada - $21.00 Ashwin and Pallavi Mehta, Cerritos, CA - $21.00 Hemandra and MInaxi Mehta, Elyria, OH - $151.00 Nitika Mehta, Fairview Heights, IL - $21.00 Anil and Snchal Mehta, Glendale, WI - $11.00 Jitendra and Jyoti Mehta, Lexington, SC - $21.00 R. L. Mehta, Minot, ND - $21.00 Pravin V. Mehta, Niagara Falls, NY - $101.00 Atul and Asha Mehta, Ramsey, NJ - $21.00 Jitendra and Madulla Mehta, San Antonio, TX - $25.00 Hemangini Mehta, Voorhees, NJ - $$11.00 Prafula S. Mumaw, Louisville, KY - $11.00 Bharati and Mahendra Nandu, Rochester, NY - $11.00 Nina and Kamal Parekh, Jacksonville, FL - $31.00 Dilip and Devyani Parekh, Raleigh, NC - $11.00 Arun D. Parikh, Fairfield, NJ - 31.00 Prakash Parikh, Hamden, CT - $21.00 Shirish Patel, Corona, CA - $25.00 Mahendra and Ranjan Punatkar, Lynchburg, VA - $11.00 A. Vijaya Rao, Durham, NC - $25.00 Prabodh and Mina Reshamwala, Feeding Hills, MA - $21.00 Ravi Rozdon - $21.00 Harendra and Raksha Rupani, Rockville, MD - $$101.00 Indu and Bharti Sanghi, Maplewood, NJ - $11.00 Jayantilal and Leela Sanghvi, Camp Hill, PA - $11.00 Bharat and Kanchan Sanghvi, Manassas, VA - $11.00 Lalit and Hemlata Savla, Holden, MA - $11.00 Shashikant and Indraben Shah - $5.00 Dinesh and Sushila Shah - $11.00 D. H. and Pratima Shah, $101.00 Jayantilal and Bhanu Shah, Agoura, CA - $21.00 C. H. and P. C. Shah, Burbank, CA- $15.00 Mahedra Shah, Burke, VA - $51.00 Saroj and Vipin Shah, Cerritos, CA - $11.00 Piyush and Varsha Shah, Chandler, AZ - $11.00 Arvind and Rekha Shah, Columbia, MO - $15.00 Chandrakant Shah, Dublin, GA - $11.00 Manoj and Minaxi Shah, East Lansing, MI - $21.00 Shailesh and Bharti20 Shah, Edison, NJ - $51.00 Ranjan and Kiran Shah, Edison, NY - $11.00 K. and R. Patel Physiotherapy Associates, Garden City, NY - $21.00 Mart Motel, San Francisco, CA - $11.00 National Bank of Canada, Mississauga, Ont. - $11.00 Professional Software Technologies Inc., Langhorne, PA - $5000.00 Royal Gems Inc., New York, NY - $21.00 Sheridan Motel, Zion, IL - $11.00 Standard Chartered Bank, New York, NY - $51.00 Cash - $46.00 If by chance, your name has been omitted from this list, please let us know. Write to the Editor in Chief. 38 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST March 1995
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________________ HAPPY OCCASIONS JAINA wishes the very best to all of you. Thank you for your donation. Lalit and Jyotsna Vora of Dorval, Quebec on the 14th birthday of their son, Kevin Vora, $21.00. Dipak and Milan Kapadia of St. Louis, MO on successfully completing Bharat Natayam course and performing Arangetram by their daughter, Pooja, on July 9, 1994, $25.00. We apologize for the error in the Sept./Dec. '94 issue. Manhar and Sumita Sheth of Toronto, Ontario on the marriage of their son, Raj to Rashmi Rao, daughter of Shardabahen and Nagaraja Rao, on April 2, 1994, $31.00. JAIN DIGEST-PUBLICATION FUND AT&T Association Rewards Program... $500.44 Animal Compassion and vegetarian Committee... $1001.00 Marriage Information Service... $200.00 Meena and Dinesh Shah, Penfield, NY... $25.00 Alan and Gayle Clapp, Strongville, NY... $25.00 A.. C. and Usha Jain, Huntsville, AL. ..$25.00 Shard and Kumud Doshi, Cornwall, Ont. Canada...$25.00 JAIN DIGEST LIFE MEMBERS A donation of $101.00 or the equivalent is required to be come a Life Member of the Jain Digest. Below is a list of new Members enrolled after launching "A Million by the Millennium" project and after the publication of the Sept./Dec. 1994 Issue. California: 145 MEHTA Sukh and Kalyan, Redlands. 146. JAIN Mohini, Davis. 147. JAIN Raj, Glendale. Illinois: 148. LARSEN Rev. Tony, Racine. Kansas: 149. DOSHI Hasu and Subhi, Leawood. North Carolina: 150. VARIA Mahesh and Indu, Chapel Hill. March 1995 New Jersey: 151. DOSI Nirmal and Snehlata, East Burnswick. 152. BAFNA Darshan and Sireh, Jersey City. 153. PARIKH Arun, Wayne. New York: 154. HARDE Hasmukh, Hudson City. 155. PATEL Neelam, West Seneca. Maryland: 156. SHAH, Nilesh and Manna, Burtonville. Montana: 157. KOTHARI Gulabchand and Movanbai, Kansas City. Pennsylvania: 158. JAIN Mohan and Mohini, Allen Wisconsin: 159. SHAH Ashwin Kumar and Usha, Racine. Canada Alberta: 160. MARU Suryakant and Hasu, Edmonton. 161. MEHTA Navin and Urmila, Edmonton. 162. MEHTA Mahendra and Aruna, Sherwood Park. 163. MEHTA Babulal and Naina, Edmonton. 164. DOSHI Sanat and Madhuri, Sherwood Park. 165. MEHTA Jasvantrai and Asmita, Edmonton. 166. SHAH Jitendra and Savita, Edmonton. Ontario: town. Virginia: 167. MEHTA Mahendra and Neela, 171. SANGHANI Kamal and Jyoti, Islington. 168. SHAH Ashok and Jayshree, Herndon. Lindsay. 169. JAIN Surinder and Subhash, Scarborough. 170. JAIN Sushil, Windsor. JAIN DIGEST 39
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________________ MALE M237: Gujarati parents invite correspondence from beautiful and cultured girls for their exceptionally handsome, US born son, April 68, 6'0", M.D., currently doing residency. Please send returnable photo with bio-data. M287: Gujarati parents invites responses for their very handsome, vegetarian, US citizen son, born July 69, 5'11", 140 lbs, M.S. (Elect Eng), very well employed, from cultured, educated, pretty girls. Call: 201/861-9592. M301: US raised, handsome, Gujarati, vegetarian, born Feb 68, 6'1",171 lbs, M.S. (Comp Sc), well employed, likes sports, travel, culture, invite responses from good natured, educated females. Call: 908/8550093. M336: Gujarati Physician invite responses for his professional, very handsome son, born Oct 67, 5'9", 170 lbs, M.S. (Comp Sc), employed with a Wall Street company, from educated, pretty, cultured girls. Call: 813/988-1141. M342: Gujarati uncle invite responses for handsome, intelligent, sociable, vegetarian nephew, born Nov 70, 5'7", 155 lbs, M.S. (Chem Eng), well employed, invite responses from cultured, educated, pretty girls. Call: 904/673-8050. M343: Gujarati Physician invite responses for his US raised, very handsome, intelligent son, born Sept 67, 5'8", 150 lbs, B.S. (Mech Eng), well employed, from educated, cultured, pretty girls. Call: 717/ 344-4841. AM123: MS, electronic business owner, 24 years, 6'0", Gujarati, extremely handsome, very fair, community leader, exceptionally successful. Parents seeking gorgeous, fair, educated, Gujarati girl. Ja40ducation International MATRIMONIALS Hasmukh Shah, Associate Editor 350: Gujarati vegetarian, good looking, born Oct 69, 5'9", 120 lbs, M.S. (CompSc), well employed, invite responses from educated, cultured girls. Call: 312/ 761-4019. M352: Gujarati parents invite responses for their handsome, US citizen, vegetarian son, born Jan 70, 5'11", 175 lbs, B.S. (Archi), well employed, from cultured, educated girls. Call: 718/699-8447. M360: Gujarati Brothers invite responses for their vegetarian, handsome, well settled brother in CA, born June 71, 5'10", B.S. (Comp Sc), from educated, cultured girls. Call: 908/409-0295 or 408/ 272-0504. M361: Gujarati parents from NY invite responses for their good looking, US citizen son, born Jan 70, 5'4", 130 lbs, M.D. (6/95), from well educated, cultured girls. Call: 718/463-7609. AM84: Gujarati parents invite responses for handsome son, born Nov 67, 5'8", 160 lbs, B.S. (E), MBA Candidate, employed, from pretty, educated girls. Call: 808/538-6202. AM132: Gujarati parents invite respnses for their handsome, vegetarian, very well employed son, born Oct 69, 5'9", 130 lbs, B.S. (EE), pursuing M.S., from educated, family oriented, beautiful girls. Call: 401/781-1852. AM134: Gujarati parents invite responses for their handsome, very fair son, born Oct 68, 5'4", 135 lbs, B. Com., well settled in diamond business at NY, believe in values of Indian and American life, from cultured, pretty girls. Call: 718/997-8810. JAIN DIGESTnal Use Only FEMALE F258: Gujarati parents invite correspondence from professional boys from cultured families, for their slim, very b y beautiful, fair, US born daughter Aug 71, 5'6", B.S. (Business). Please send returnable photo with bio-data. F347:Gujarati parents invite responses for their very pretty, smart, vegetarian daughter, raised in Bombay, born Nov 72, 5'1", 100 lbs, B. Com., pursuing further study in USA, from cultured, educated boys. Call: 203/878-5296. AF127: Gujarati sister invite responses for beautiful, vegetarian, Pharmacist sister, born April 70, 5'3", 110 lbs, B.S. (Pharmacy), from professional, cultured boys. Please reply with returnable photo. P.O. Box 19295, Berkeley, CA 94712. AF128: Hindi speaking sister invite responses for very pretty, social, vegetarian sister, born Nov 71, 5'4", 132 lbs, M. Com, Dip in French, well employed (currently in India willing to settle in USA), from educated, cultured, Hindi, Marwari, Gujarati boys. Call: 901/682-6497. AF125: Gujarati, vegetarian, good looking, social, US citizen, born April 51, 5'3", 120 lbs, well educated, employed, (very brief marriage, issueless) invite responses from suitable, cultured males. Call: 908/352-1914. F265: Gujarati parents invite correspondence from health professionals for their vegetarian, slim, beautiful, intelligent daughter, born Feb 69, 5'5", B.S. (Pharmacy). F316: Gujarati parents from NY invite responses from handsome, US raised professionals under age 26, for their US born, beautiful, intelligent daughter, born April 72, 5'3", 115 lbs, B.S. Licensed Pharmacist. Call: 718/463-7609. March 1995 org
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________________ Marriage Information Service Registration form Federation of Jain Associations In North America A/C/F/M Send this completed form, a check in the amount of $25.00 and a recent full-length photograph of yourself with your name printed on the back to: Hasmukh M. Shah, 1409 Rising Wind Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905. Name: (Please Print) First Middle Address: Street City State Zip Phone: ( ) Fax: () - Date of Birth: Height: Weight: Are you a vegetarian? yes no Do you smoke? yes no Do you drink? yes no Have you been married before? yes no If yes, indicate the name of your divorced spouse. What is your Visa status in the USA/Canada? - When did you enter the USA/Canada? month/year What is your religion? What languages do you speak? What languages do you read? What languages do you write? Education: Degree Year received Major Name of University Work experience: Company's name Position Duration Father's Name: Occupation: Mother's Name: Occupation: Brother(s) and/or Sister(s) Name(s) Age(s) Education Occupation Do you have other relatives living in the North America? Name Relationship Occupation Address Other relevant information(use additional paper if necessary): Candidate's signature: Date: The MIS and JAINA assume no liability or responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of the information here in, nor the consequences resulting thereof. March 1995 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST
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________________ Marriage Information Service Registration form Federation of Jain Associations In North America 1. Two references who are members of the Jain Community or other Indian organizations. A. Name: Address: Phone: Member of: Organization's Name B. Name: - Address: Phone: Member of: Organization's Name 2. Indicate your personal preference of these criteria for the match. Age: Between the ages of_ and o r open. Height: Between the height of ____ and ___or open. Weight: Between the weight of _and_ open. Education: Bachelor__Masters Degree __ Other Major: Vegetarain: yes no Work experience: yes no Residence: (state) Visa Status: Length of time in North America: years. Language: English yes no not important, Other (specify): Color of skin: light wheat open 3. Photograph: Attach a recent, full-length photograph of yourself with your name printed on the back. Please note: no photographs will be exchanged while matching is taking place. Jax ducation Intemational JAIN DIGESTal Use Only March 1995.org
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________________ from professional, cultured, handsome boys. Call: 9151581-6386. F351:Gujarati parents invite responses for their vegetarian, US citizen, beautiful daughter, born Nov 63,5'3", 110 lbs (looks younger), studied architecture, pursuing further study, employed, from cultured, educated, suitable males. Call: 203/8530230 & 203/849-0884. AF131: Gujarati parents invite responses from well educated, professionals under 29, for their US born, 24 year old, 5'2", fair looking, attractive daughter pursuing education to become a Dentist. Call: 502/239-4973. F353: Gujarati parents invite responses for US citizen, beautiful daughter, born July 65, 5'4", M.S. (Enviro), very well employed, from suitable professional boys. Call: 7037685-4230. AF133: Gujarati parents invite responses from well educated professionals for their pretty, US born/raised, vegetarian daughter, July 70, 5'5", M.D., First year resident (at Cincinnati) with East/West blend & strong family value. Call: 6091 772-0358. F354:Gujarati parents invite responses for US citizen, beautiful daughter, born Nov 67, 5'4", B.S., J.D., very well employed, from suitable professional boys. Call:7037685-4230. F355:Gujarati parents invite responses for their vegetarian, beautiful, daughter, born Dec 71, 5'2", 106 lbs, B.S., active in cultural activities, from cultured, educated boys. Call: 416/290-6553. F356: Gujarati parents from NJ invite responses for their pretty, US citizen daughter, born June 68,5'1", 110 lbs, M.D. (94), First year resident, from suitable, professional boys. Call: 908/665-4124. Registration and Ad Anyone wishing to register with the Marriage Information Service (MIS) must follow these step-by-step instructions carefully. Fill out the Registration Form found on pages 41 and 42. The registrant must this form. Do not leave anything blank. Mail: 1. the completed form, 2. a check in the amount of $25.00 payable to Hasmukh M. Shah, LEAVE THE "MEMO" OR "FOR" LINE BLANK, 3. a recent full-length photo of your self with your name printed on the back. to: Hasmukh M. Shah 1409 Rising Wind Court Silver Spring, MD 20905 Phone: 301/384-1746 Responding to an Ad All those wishing to respond to an ad must follow these step-by-step instructions. Place your bio-data and a recent photograph of yourself in a sealed, stamped envelop with your return address in the upper left-hand corner and the MIS ad reference number in the lower left-hand corner of the enevelope. NOTE: leave space on the envelope for an address. Place this envelope in another envelope with your return address in the upper left-hand corner and mail it to Hasmukh M. Shah. See address above. Upon reciept of these responses the MIS will place the ad holders address on the inner envelope and mailit. Remember, the MIS is not responsible for responses that do not conform to these instructions. Please notify the MIS when a marriage or engagement has been announced. This helps us to know that this community service is helping in maintaining our traditions. Please note that if a successful alliance has taken place, both parties will agree to donate $101or more to JAINA. We are happy to announce that the marriage or the engagement of ads #F229, M283 M320, M271, M238, M344, AF90, AM120 and AM107 have been arranged. The MIS would like to thank these registrants for informing the MIS of this wonderful news and we encourage others to do the same. The MIS is a non-profit, voluntary community service. The MIS and JAINA assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or authenticity of the information furnished in the ads or any consequences resulting thereof. The entire responsibility rests with the candidates themselves. All information furnished to the MIS is confidential. Only thoose who are sincerely interested in looking for a Jain life partner should send the Registration Form. While matching, photographs will not be passed on to the candidates by the MIS. Parents/guardians should communicate with the candidate before placing an ad with the MIS and assist them in making a final decission. If you wish to recieve the Jain Digest please fill out the free subscription form that appears on page 44. F357: Gujarati parents from CA invite responses for their vegetarian, beautiful, intelligent, US born daughter, Feb 72, 5'2", 107 lbs, B.S (EE/Comp Sc), employed, from cultured, professional boys. Call or Fax: 510/659-8958. F358: Gujarati parents from MN invite responses for their attractive, intelligent, vegetarian, US born daughter, Oct 71, 5'4", 128 lbs, B.S. (Economics) employed in NJ, from cultured, educated boys. Call: 612/425-0016. Upon reciept of this information the MIS will draft an ad for you and it will appear in the Jain Digest only once. F359:Gujarati parents invite responses for their beautiful, charming, vegetarian daughter, born Aug 70, 5'2", 105 lbs, B.S., exposed to Indian/Jain culture, employed, from cultured, educated boys. Call: 203/ 393-1403. Placing an Ad only If you do not wish to register with the MIS and wish to draft an ad yourself, you may do so in 30 words or less. Remember, that the MIS reserves the right to edit all such ads. As a rule, all MIS ads include the phone number of the registrant. However, if you do not wish to publish your phone number, Hasmukh M. Shah must be specifically notified. F362:Gujarati parents invite responses for their US raised, beautiful, charming daughter, born Dec 64, 5'1", 117 lbs, M.D., currently doing fellowship at LA, March 1995 Jain Education international For JAIN DIGEST ate Personal use only 43
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________________ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Necessity of Temples, continued from page 10 Thank you for the Comemorative Issue dedicated to Acharya Shree Sushil Kumar Ji. Praises I read the entire Sept./Dec. 94 issue of the "Jain Digest" from cover to cover. I found the articles interesting and informative. These article add to a person's knowledge of Jainism. Congradulations to the editorial staff for doing such a nice job. J. H. Doshi Bombay, India Anant V. Shah Newark, CA Thank you for the Special Issue dedicated to Acharya Shree Sushil Muni Kumar Ji. He preached and practiced love and compassion for all living beings. The passing away of his Holiness is a great loss to all followers of Ahimsa. So I ask you to approach these temples not as if they represented a body of superstitions. If you approach these temples with faith in them, you will know that each time you visit them you come away purified, with your faith more and more in the living god. It depends upon our mental condition, whether we gain something or do not gain anything by going to the temples. We have to approach these temples in a humble and penitent mood. There are so many houses of God. God, of course, resides in every human form, indeed in every particle of His creation, everything that is on this earth. But since we, very fallible mortals, do not appreciate the fact that God is everywhere, we impute special sanctity to temples and think that God resides there. And so, when we approach these temples, we must cleanse our bodies, our minds, and our hearts, and we should enter them in a prayerful mood, and ask God to make us purer men and women for having entered His portals. Herbert Becker Berlin, Germany I am glad to know that you have involved a great number of people and made JAINA a broad based organization. This was necessary in view of the growing number of Jains living in Norht America. I am particularly interested in the younger generation, their social and religious problems. The efforts of JAINA in keeping the new generation in touch with their religion, its principles and serving the community through its other actitities is laudable. I would like to congratulate your team on a job well done. The last issue looked great! The effciency that was demonstrated in the Digest gives the younger generation a challenge to try to improve on their own publications in the future. Samir Subodh Mehta Sugarland, TX C. N. Sanghvi Bombay, India Based on a text by Mahatma Gandhi Federation of Jain Associations In North America S.S. JAIN Foundation 276 Carlaw Avenue, Unit 200 Toronto, ONT M4M 3L1 Canada Jain Digest Quarterly News Magazine JAINA Headquarters 66 Viscount Williamsville, NY 14221 Please fill out this form to receive a free subscription to the Jain Digest, or to up-date your mailing address. Name: --- Spouse: - - Address: - - - Zip: - - City: State: Sponsorship: Full Page Ad $400 __ Half Page Ad $250 _ Quarter Page Ad $150_Cover Page $500_ Donations: Jain Digest Fund $_ JAINA General Fund $_ Happy Occasions $ Please make checks payable to: JAINA-in the USA or the S.S. JAIN Foundation in Canada Please advise us if you wish your donation to remain anonymous. - - 44 Jain Education Intemational JAIN DIGEST June 1994
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________________ Jain Digest With best compliments to JAINA Dr. Navin C. Mehta, M.B.B.S., M.D., P.C. EAR, NOSE & THROAT HEAD & NECK FACIAL PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON ADJUNCT SURGEON NEW YORK EYE & EAR INFIRMARY ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE & AFFILIATED HOSPITALS 303 2nd AVENUE, SUITE 10 NEW YORK CITY, NY 10003 (212) 505-9640 E RT votas namo amhitANa namo siddhANa 151 312farul namo vanjhAyANa 1010d namo loga savamAraNaM 'eyo paMcanamukkAro. sabapAvappaNAmaNo maMgalANa ca yavAgi paDhama havaDa maMgala en . ASSBENDOHET Live and Let Live Love All Serve All Tirthankar Parsavnath Tirthankar Mahavir Jain temple format Jain Education Interational
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________________ This cover is sponsored by JAYA TRAVEL AND TOURS Girnar Hills Jain Temples 24100 SOUTHFIELD ROAD SUITE 388 SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48075 USA RIZVI HOUSE 34 HILL ROAD BANDRA (W) BOMBAY 400050 INDIA TELEPHONE: (810) 559-5292 (9 to 5) (810) 559-2076 (FAX) 1-800-545-7788 TELEPHONE: 6420402 6436421 (FAX) Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Niagara Falls, NY Permit No. 142 CIRCULATION Jain Digest 81 Sable Run E. Amherst, NY 14051 Address Correction Requested