JAINA Convention 1993 07 Pittusburgh

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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become a pure vegetarian and also lectures on Jainism.
Jain Center of Boston
centers, organizations and temples, authority and transmission. We can look forward to many healthy contributions from North America in this side of our study as well as in the older now "classical" fields.
Much could be said about the importance for us all of Jain science, especially Health and Life Sciences, but at this juncture we must just refer the reader to K. V.Mardia: The Scientific Foundations of Jainism, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass 1990.
neglect of the family and the inner life of the individual and society also ask questions where Jainism may help us towards answers. This is not to imply a proselytization Mission but a recognition of the duties of being privileged to know something which appears to be hidden from others, a sharing of truth but without coercion, bribery or the use of force, something done and lived out, humbly and with love. Work towards these aims has been begun and carried forward by a number of organizations and people.
The center was established in 1973. It has published the third edition of the directory of Jains in North America in 1992. The center has been sponsoring an annual Jain essay competition for youths since 1980. The top three youths in three age groups are given prizes and their essays are published in the Jain Study Circular (discussed later).
Migration of Jains to Britain and North
America in the 1960s
With a few notable exceptions we have so far told a story of books and scholars. In the 1960's because of cer- tain social and economic factors in India, an opening up of Commonwealth immigration into Britain and the removal of iniquitous and unfair measures against Asia in the immigration legislation of the U.S.A. and Canada, a slow and steady migration of Jains to Britain and North America took place till today there is a sizable diaspora. The need to provide pastoral ministry for these folk and teaching especially for their children has been acute. Also the need to teach inquiring Canadians and Americans who are not of Indian descent has been gradually recognized. This is entirely because of their own needs and request. It becomes obvious to anyone who knows conditions in the west and gains some knowledge of Jain- ism that the Jains have valuable things to say about questions very much on the minds of sensitive people. These include a facing up to bad deeds done in the past and some practical hints on how to begin to make reparation and the overcoming of the bad karmas pro- duced. Here the treatment of the environment, the Native Americans, women, Blacks and Hispanic Americans (among other things) comes to mind. A way of life built on war, violence,
Organized Jainism in North America
Siddhachalam (1960-1993)
Acharya Sushil Muni came to the To help to meet the needs of the U.S. and Canada in 1975 along with a Jain community as well as of the larger few monks. In 1983 he established an general community in India, Britain and ashram at Siddhachalam in Blairstown, North America a number of organiza- New Jersey. This 108 acres of hilltop tions have come into being.
property is located near the Pocono
mountains and provides the ideal peaceFirst Jain Center in New York ful environment for the practice and
study of the science of Arhum Yoga. There have been a lot of organized Siddhachalam is a resident community Jain activities in North America since of monks and nuns, laymen and laythe 1960s. The first Jain center was women. It is the headquarters for the established in 1966 in New York City by International Mahavir Jain Mission, the the late Professor Narendra Sethi, Pro- World Fellowship of Religions and fessor Dulichand Jain, Dr. Mahendra Kundalini Science Center, all founded Pandya and Dr. Surendra Singhvi. The by Sushil Muni, A newly built temple, center's membership consisted of about inaugurated in 1992, housed deities of 20 families and it used to celebrate various Tirthankaras. In cooperation major Jain festivals at Columbia Univer- with the Federation of JAINA, a chair in sity. Today the center has more than 500 J ainology will be established in 1993 at members and has its own temple. Since Columbia University, NYC. 1966 about 60 Jain organizations have been established in North America.
Jain Study Circle
Jain Meditation International Center
Gurudev Chitrabhanu came to the U.S. in 1971 and established the Jain Meditation International Center in New York City in 1975. Gurudev lectures on Jainism and has published numerous books as well as prepared video-audio cassettes on Jainism. One of his disciples, Dr. Balbhadra of Toronto, has
The circle was established in 1987 to propagate the fundamental principles of Jainism through publication of the quarterly Jain Study Circular and other literature, and organization of study groups and seminars. Prior to 1987, the Circular was published by the Jain Center of Boston. The first issue of it was published in 1980. It is distributed to about 5000 families at no cost. Dr. Duli
"When a man wants to murder a tiger, he calls it sport; when a tiger wants
to murder him, he calls it ferocity."
-George Bernard Shaw
7TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION - JULY 1993