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 43

"Extending Jain Heritage to the Next Generation"
America. contacts with Jains in other continents and promotion through news media. Information about JAINA can be obtained from: 9831 Tall Timber Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45241, telephone 513-777-1554.
1. Bramhi Society: In 1989, the Bramhi Society was established by a group of twelve individuals from the U.S. and Canada to make a contribution in a contemporary environment to the study and promotion of Jain reflection in the West. It has begun the publication of Jinmanjari, a semi-annual journal, with the first issue in October 1990. Debut of Jinmanjari is an earnest endeavor to provide a plank for academics and scholars to pursue applied study of Jain philosophy. Information can be obtained from: Mr.S.A.B. Kumar, editor, 4665 Moccasin Trail, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 2WS, telephone 416-890-3363.
mailed to about 5,500 families in North America and other countries.
2. Convention-Since its founding in 1981, JAINA has held five biennial conventions in Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Chicago and Toronto. The Sixth Biennial Convention will be held in San Francisco in July 1991.
3. Libraries--JAINA has established two libraries-one in Lubbock, TX, with more than 4,000 books and journals, and the second in Toronto, Canada with more than 500 books.
4. Youth Activities Over the years, JAINA has organized several youth seminars and symposiums. Some youth leaders have been identified in North America and a national organization-"Young Jains of America" is becoming a reality.
5. Marriage Information-To meet this need, JAINA provides two services: (a) free matrimonial ads in the Jain Digest and (b) computerized data bank referrals of eligible boys and girls.
6. Chair in Jainology-JAINA is in the process of establishing a chair on Jainology at Harvard University. Dr. Nathmal Tatiya of Ladnu, India was a visiting professor at Harvard and taught a course on Jainology during 1990-91.
7. Visiting scholars—JAINA has been sponsoring and coordinating the visits of Jain scholars, monks, nuns, and Bhattaraks to North America for several years.
8. TV Programs-JAINA, along with others was instrumental in the production of a one hour documentary on Ahimsa, which was shown on PBS Television in the U.S. in 1987. The documentary is available in a vidco cassette.
9. Jain Declaration on Nature-In October 1990, the JAINA delegation headed by Dr. Sulekh Jain joined the World Jain Community in presenting the 16-page "Jain Declaration on Nature" to H.H. Duke of Edinborough Prince Philip, in London, U.K.
There are a lot of other activities sponsored or to be sponsored by JAINA such as publication of non-sectarian literature on Jainism, youth exchange program between the U.K. and North
can cities. Consequently, NCCI publishes the Jain symbol and information about Jain festivals in its calendar which is sent to schools all over North America. NCCJ also invites Jains to its interfaith activities. Now other U.S. and Canadian non-Jain organizations have been increasingly using the Jain symboland, therefore, providing a distinct identity. Information on NCCJ can be obtained from 71 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10003.
f. In 1990, the Roop lal Jain Trust at the University of Toronto was established by Mr. Hans Raj Jain of the International Mahavira Jain Mission of Toronto. The firstinaugural lecture was given by Professor P. Jaini of Berkely.
g. In 1990, Neal Shah, a high school student in a catholic school in Buffalo, succeeded in offering Jainism for religious studies instead of Christianity. He has been studying it as an independent study and the teacher has been provided with one set of books on Jainism. It has had such a deep impact that now two more Jain youths have decided to offer Jainism for religious studies. gradually, it may spread all over North America.
Other Activities
a. Professor P.S. Jaini of the University of California, Berkely has published two books on Jainism through the Berkely Press:
"'The JAINA Path of Purifica- tion" in 1979
* "Gender and Salvation: JAINA Debate on the Spiritual Salvation of Women" in 1990.
b. Dr. Paul Knepherle of New Jersey produced a Jain documentary entitled: "Frontiers of Peace" in 1987. This won the best documentary award of the year on a non-christian subject in Europe.
c. In cooperation with other Indian communities, the Jain Society of Toronto has started a cable TV program on Jainism beginning in 1990.
d. In 1988, the Encyclopedia of World Faiths published an 8-page chapter on Jainism. along with write-ups on other eleven major religions (Facts on File Publications Inc., 460 Park Avenue South, New York NY, 10016).
e. In 1987, Dr. Jagat P. Jain of Buffalo worked in getting Jainism included among the major religions of the world by the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ), which has branches in over 70 North Ameri
Future Direction:
Jainism has been flourishing in North America for the last quarter of a century as a result of (a) the growing number of Jain associations and temples, (b) the formation of JAINA Federation, (c) the establishment of Siddhachalam, (a) the visitation of Jain monks, nuns, and scholars from India, (e) the publication of Jain magazines and books in English, (f) the growing number of summer Jain camps (local, regional and national), and (g) the increasing number of Jain conventions, conferences and seminars.
Based on the survey and my experience with three centers, I have the following suggestions for local centers:
1. Publish a newsletter at least once a quarter covering news about the center's past and future programs, national and international Jain programs, and the like. The newsletter should be sent to all members, and other interested people in the community.
2. Conduct the youth program at
6TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION
JULY 1991
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