Jain Digest 1993 04 Vol 20 No 02

SR No.: 527050
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 32
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 4 MB

Page 3

Jain Digest Contents 2 From The Editor Vantage Point News and Announcements Letters International News Pratishthas Jain Education Bulletin Board Book Reviews Obituaries Project MAP Donors Youth Corner Matrimonials Late News 7th Biennial JAINA Convention News . .. - . Pratishthas (Installation of Jain idols) This is a unique year in which five major Pratishthas are planned (an unthinkable thought just a few years ago). Starting with EdmontonAlberta, Canada on Mahavir Jayanti (birth) Day (April 4), followed by Albany, NY (May 29-30), Chicago, IL (June 24-27), Dallas, Texas (July 911) and ending with Ocala, FL (July 23-25), these religious celebrations are going to provide opportunities for spiritual knowledge and upliftment. 7th Biennial JAINA Convention (July 2-4) Past JAINA Conventions have been where Jains of all ages not only from North America but also from many parts of the world came to debate issues, exchange views and meet friends, relatives, monks and scholars. The next convention in Pittsburgh is going to be bigger, better and is expected to be attended by 6,000 to 7,000 Jains (the largest assembly of Jains outside India). It is going to be a showcase of the Jain community. The Jain Society of Pittsburgh (the host) has been spending a lot of resources of brain-power, manpower and money to make this conventiona memorable event. Very elaborate planning and coordination has been going on for one and onehalf years. Many dignitaries, scholars, monks, leaders, thinkers, artists, men, women, youth and children from around the world will be participating. In this convention, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. The programs will include seminars on wide ranging topics, lectures, plays, religious songs, exhibitions, cultural programs, video shows, releases of new books, audio and video tapes, teaching workshops and demonstration classes. This convention will be a place where the entire Jain community will come together and after the convention will go back home with a message of unity and a feeling of pride of being Jains. continued on page 12 - Vantage Point From The Editor Vantage Point PRE This is going to be a great year - I guarantee. . Sulekh C. Jain, President of JAINA JAINISM is the oldest and independent religion of the world. However, we find in almost all books as well as texts it was founded by Lord Mahavir or it was founded by Lord Parsvanath. In reality, Lord Mahavir reorganized it. Some books go further and indicate that Jainism is nothing buta revolt against vediculture. The problem is that we had been taught through books written by foreign scholars (orothers influence by them) who wrote about Indian culture and religion from their own perspective and gave their interpretations. Really speaking, Jainism is an absolutely independent religion and isolder than vedic culture as is documented by several historians. con't. on page 16 - From The Editor KO 1993 began about three months ago and all indications are that it is going to be a great and an historical year for the Jain community in North America. JAINA and several Jain centers have planned a lot of programs, celebrations, poojas, youth camps, picnics and workshops, etc. Here is a sampling of some of the major events that will take place this year.