JAINA Convention 1991 07 Northern California

SR No.: 527513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 108
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Convention JAINA, & USA
File Size: 12 MB

Page 29

"Extending Jain Heritage to the Next Generation"
Millionaire becomes monk
Atul Shah of Bombay has decided to become a Jain monk.
The son of a millionaire diamond merchant, Dalpatbhai Shah of Bombay, shocked his friends and family with his
High Court, performed an inauguration on March 13 at the University Centenary Building
Jinwani
A Monthly Journal
review by Surendra Singhvi Cincinnati, OH
Jinwani is a monthly journal published in Jaipur, Rajasthan, that has been in existence since 1943. "Jin" means those who have conquered their inner enemies, and "wani" means the voice. Therefore, "jinwani" means the voice of those who have conquered their inner enemies.
The journal is published by Samyag Gyan Pracharak Mandal of Jaipur. The 80-page journal publishes Jain essays, monks' lectures, stories with moral lessons, news items, and poems. The journal also feature four regular columns in Hindi.
Anyone intersted in publishing an article, poem, or news item should contact the editor at C-235 A, Dayanand Marg, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur, India 302004. Anyone interested in subscribing to the journal should contact the publisher at the following address: Samyag Gyan Pracharak Mandal, Bapu Bazar 182183, Jaipur, India, 302003. The lifetime membership for those residing in foreign countries is 751 rupees.
Vegetarian Society of Kenya formed
On August 14, 1990, the Vegetarian Society of Kenya was formed. This was a historical event as this Society will bring together all Kenyans who will pursue the cause of Ahimsa, non-violence and compassion toward the animal kingdom. The book that was prepared titled: "The Benefits of Vegetarianism to Africa," proved to be very popular. Several African friends are on the committee. This will serve as a link between the two societies. Apart from Nairobi, there are members in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru. Let's hope that the Vegetarian Society of Kenya will spread the message of vegetarianism throughout Kenya.
announcement.
"After spending a lot of time with Jain monks and reading religious books, I felt that the problems of the world are not related to money, but the mind. And the best way to solve them is TYAG' (non-possessiveness)," he said. "The root cause of our problems is our uncontrollable desire to acquire money and power. Unless we conquer those desires, we are never going to be happy. That is the reason why I have decided to become a Monk."
There was a large procession in Bombay to honor Atul Shah, attended by approximately two hundred thousand people. He will be a disciple of Acharya Ramchandrasuri.
(Reported by Dr. Dhiraj Shah, Buffalo, NY)
Showers of Diamonds and Pearls in Ahmedabad
While it rained cats and dogs in many Indian regions, it showered diamonds and pearls and silver here June 1 when a multi-millionaire diamond merchant undertook a unique religious ceremony.
Atul Kumar Shah went on a varshidan diksha procession one day before he renounced the material world according to his Jain faith.
Shah, who wore diamond-studded necklaces, gold rings and a crown-like turban, threw away among the milling crowd of people small diamonds, pearls and silver coins worth nearly Rs. 35 lakh, according to a report in The Times of India.
Driven by seven decorated elephants, Shah's silver-coated chariot inched its way from his Navarangpura residence to Jain Dehrasar temple.
The procession was led by 50 decorated horses and 40 camel carts carrying women singing songs. More than 200 troupes of folk dancers from all
over the state added color.
Almost the entire Jain community of the city participated either in the procession or lined the route to hail Shah's sacrifice.
Police had a hard time controlling the surging crowds. All markets on the procession's route were closed. Hundreds of water huts and juice stalls had been put up by the procession's orga
nizers.
The organizers also made elaborate arrangements for providing lunch to nearly 100,000 people at specially erected pandals.
(from India West)
'Bavangaj Bhagwan' restored to former majesty
The pilgrim center of Bavangaj near Badwani in western Madhya Pradesh is the focal point of a historic ceremony marking the resurrection of the world's tallest monolith. "Bavangaj Bhagwan" to the devout in the Malwanchal region is the 84-feet statue of Rishabh dev, the first Tirthankar of the Jain tradition. This towering statue of the divinity, also venerated in Vedic texts and the Bhagwat Purana, has at last been restored to its original majestic grandeur after it had almost been lost in oblivion for generations.
Vegetarian Study Launched
Top educators and researchers in medicine have come together to study the effects of vegetarian diet on human immunology and genetics.
The Scientific Committee on Vegetarianism, chaired by Prof. B.N. Tandon of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here, has also launched of a program to educate doctors on the virtues of a vegetarian diet.
The secretary-general of the committee, Dr. D.C. Jain, said that up to now no comprehensive scientific studies have been conducted in India on the effects of such a diet although over 500 research papers on the subject are listed in the authoritative "Index Medicus." Jain said that as Vegetarian Day
☐ 6TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION JULY 1991 27 For Private & Personal Use Only