Ahimsa Times 2007 11 SrNo 89

Author(s): Ahimsa Times
Publisher: Ahimsa Times

Page 8

AHIMSA TIMES - NOVEMBER 2007 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
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stored for the fifth year in a row. Although, President Bush himself was not there, but US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns, did attend the programme. The White House celebrations came days after the US House of Representatives approved a resolution recognising the significance of Diwali by an overwhelming 358-0 vote on October 29, with 204 Democrats and 154 Republicans supporting it. South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson, who sponsored the resolution, said it not only marks "the international, religious and historical importance of the festival of Diwali", but also "recognises the importance of Indian Americans - a strong and vibrant immigrant community." Representative John Tanner of Tennessee said, "By celebrating Diwali, we also are celebrating this diversity, a shared value that has brought the United States and India closer together throughout the years."
THANKS GIVING DAY SHOULD BE OBSERVED WITH COMPASSION PRAVIN SHAH EMAIL: EDUCATION@JAINA.ORG - Almost every culture in the world has held celebrations of thanks for a plentiful harvest. The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies almost four hundred years ago. In 1941 Congress ruled that the 4th Thursday in November would be a Federal holiday proclaimed by the President each year.
Thanksgiving
All give thanks together for the good things that they have. In this spirit of sharing, civic groups and charitable organizations offer a traditional meal to those in need, particularly the homeless. The foods eaten at the first thanksgiving meal; Turkey, corn (or maize). pumpkins and cranberry sauce have become traditional Thanksgiving meal. Millions of Turkey will be slaughtered in USA and other places on this day which is on Thursday,
November 22, 2007. We request the Jain community of USA and other places to celebrate such an important tradition with your family and friends in the following manner:
* Thanksgiving dinner - a home cooked Vegan meal (pure vegetarian meal without any animal products including milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, ghee, and ice cream) or Ayambil * Recite the following prayer before your Thanksgiving meal * Do Pratikraman in the evening * Serve vegetarian meal to homeless and needy
Thanksgiving Prayer - Today we give thanks for this vegetarian meal and the people who have labored to harvest and prepare this meal for us. We give thanks to all other human beings who have contributed to our lives. We also ask for forgiveness from all living beings that we have harmed, intentionally and unintentionally.
We are grateful for our health and the opportunity to share this meal with others on this day. We aspire, with compassionate hearts, to use the energy that we gain from this meal and our friends to contribute to the peace and happiness of all living beings.
We pray that all the people everywhere in the world will avoid inflicting harm on animals and fellow human beings and practice nonviolence and compassion. We express our sorrow at the suffering of all the animals that have been killed to provide meals for the Thanksgiving celebration. May peace and compassion grow in ourselves and extend to all around us.
HISTORY
ABBAKKA: THE WARRIOR JAIN QUEEN OF INDIA There were many women in history of ancient and medieval India who fought for freedom with their enemies on battlefield. Abbakka was bravest of them; most discussed in Europe at her time, yet less known to us. Abbakka defeated the mighty Portuguese army and navy again and again. The legacy of the 16th century queen Abbakka of Ullal will be revived. A 14th century Jain basadi in Ullal where she used to offer prayers is being rebuilt, a film on her is being planned, and a permanent memorial for her will soon be ready.
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8/11/2009