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awareness within the Jain community. Other examples of Jain community's forward and progressive march are celebration of Paryūṣaṇa and Daśalaksana Parvas on a grand scale, many long tapasyās (fasts), Cāturmāsa, donations for charities, youth camps and seminars, Ahiṁsā Day celebrations, movements in ecology and environment, youth essay competition, Directory of Jains in North America and start of an electronic bulletin board on Jain news and education.
The Federation of JAINA is a unique institution and does not have many parallels in the Jain world. JAINA is not an organization of individuals, but rather, an association of associations. During its twelve years of existence, it has strived to unite all Jains as Jains (in spite of our diversity of religious beliefs, traditions, customs, languages and regional origins).
This is an issue that the entire Jain community, all the Jain Centers and JAINA have to discuss, debate, decide and plan. This Convention will provide such a platform.
Winds of change are everywhere. Nations are changing. Yesterday's enemies are today's friends and partners. Yet, in spite of this, there is so much violence and hatred throughout the globe. In these times, Jainism has much to offer to the world. To quote Dr. Micheal Tobias, “Jainism is a momentous example to all of us that there can, and does exist a successful, ecologically responsible way of life which is abundantly and unconditionally non violent in thought, action and deed. For millennia, Jain logic has worked out a more complete picture of human experience that encompasses our capacity for compassion."
Since Jainism now is a worldwide/global religion, its practices, philosophies and beliefs can be and should be part of that local and global solution that we daily see in the destruction of environment, violence, killings and exploitation around us. Question is what and how Jains should determine their role, place and responsibilities. This Convention is one such place to debate these issues.
Jains are a fairly accomplished community. We have a rich heritage, our people are educated and affluent, believe in and practice Anekāntavāda (multiplicity of truth) and our monks and scholars are very learned and practice what they preach. Such a well disciplined and organized community can be great source of strength and a catalyst for change. The Jains in North America must now start interacting with other non-Jains groups, organizations, associations.
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