Jain Spirit 2000 03 No 03

SR No.: 528983
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, UK_Jain Spirit, & UK
File Size: 14 MB

Page 15

NEWS IN BRIEF
NEWS IN BRIEF
AHMEDABAD: JAIN AND BUDDHIST
PHILOSOPHY CONFERENCE. Ahmedabad was the venue for a national conference entitled 'The Contribution of Jain and Buddhist Philosophy in Culture which took place from 4th-5th August 1999. Organised jointly by Sanskrit Sahitya Akademi and International Jain Vidya Adhayan Kendra. In attendance were Shri Govindbhai Rawal, Dr. Gautum Patel and Shri Ramlal Parekh.
founding a hospital in the Dominican | Republic, sending ambulances and aid equipment to Honduras and upgrading a house for the physically disabled in Pune, all as part of his active role in both the Toronto and international facets of the Rotary Club.
House of Lords, London on 1st November 1999. AQL will initially be involved with several projects, including three aid projects in India; rural development in Eastern Bihar, rehabilitation of the physically disabled in partnership with the Jaipur Artificial Limb Centre in Rajasthan, and assistance to the VD Indian Society for the Mentally Retarded in Mumbai.
NEW YORK: PREMIERE OF NON-VIOLENCE DOCUMENTARY A feature-length documentary entitled 'A Force More Powerful was premiered in New York on 18th November 1999. Produced, directed and written by Peabody award winner Steven York, the film deals with the emergence of non- violence as a socio-political force in the 20th century. The documentary is part of a four-year project on non-violence, which will also include a four-hour television series to be screened in America later this year.
ROME: JAINS ATTEND VATICAN
ASSEMBLY October 1999 saw five Jain delegates from the international Jain community attend an interreligious assembly at the Vatican, Rome, Italy. Amongst the 200 delegates from many different faith traditions were Shaileen and Harshna Shah of Young Jains UK, Nemu and Meena Chandaria from the Institute of Jainology (UK), and Dr. Virendra K Jain from Jain Milan (India). The delegates attended several events during the assembly, including the concluding ceremony alongside the Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II. The final declaration from the assembly spoke about encouraging spirituality regardless of personal faith, and concentrating on and encouraging family and community life, education and inter-faith dialogue.
HOUSTON: MISDITATION SHIBIR HELD A Preksha Dhyana meditation workshop was held over the course of three days from October 7-10 1999 at the Arya Samaj Temple in Houston, Texas. The event was organised jointly by the Preksha Meditation Ashram and the Arya Samaj of Houston. Covering such aspects of Preksha Dhayna as cleansing of mind and body and the need of meditation for physical health, the Shibir was considered highly successful by all who attended.
MADHYA PRADESH: NEW DHARMA
DONKEY SANCTUARY Mrs. Maneka Gandhi, a cabinet minister in the government of India, opened a new donkey sanctuary on 15 acres of land in Madhya Pradesh, India. The project, managed by her charity People for Animals', is funded by Jains living in North America, led by Bonny and Rati Shah. The sanctuary will provide full care and facilities for the donkeys, including a play area.
NORTH AMERICA: INDIAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION OFFERS
SCHOLARSHIPS The Supporting Excellence in Education Foundation (SEED Foundation) is offering several scholarships totalling US$12,000 to Indian-American high school students. The scholarships are variously awarded on the basis of need or exceptionally high achievement. More information can be found at www.seed foundation.org.
THIKA: YOUNG JAINS CARRY OUT
SCHOOL. IMPROVEMENTS Young Jains in Nairobi, Kenya, have continued raising funds and providing improvements for Gatunyu Primary School, Thika. Over the past two years Young Jains Nairobi have provided scholarships for 21 students, a library, and a new block with electricity for KCPE students. It is hoped that this work will continue in the future. Funds are currently being raised to re-roof several of the classrooms, and provide electricity for two more class blocks.
TORONTO: JAIN BUSINESSMAN
WINS ORDER OF ONTARIO Mr. Keshav Chandaria was recently awarded Ontario's highest civilian honour, the Order of Ontario, in recognition of his humanitarian work over the course of more than two decades. His recent work has included
GLOBAL. AHIMSA DAY OBSERVED JAINA and United Religious Initiatives combined to promote celebration of Global Ahimsa Day between 31st December 1999 and 2nd January 2000. Meditation, Bhavana, fasting and a ringing of peace bells occurred world-wide as part of the initiative, endorsed by, amongst others, Bill Clinton.
LONDON: AHIMSA INITIATIVE
LAUNCHED A new initiative to spread "Ahimsa for Quality of Life was launched at the
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Jain Spirit • March - May 2000