JAINA Convention 1999 07 Philadelphia

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

Page 19

10th Biennial JAINA Convention
JMIC
Jarmo Meditation International Center
401 East 86 Street #20A . New York New York 10028. 212-362-6483. 212-534-6090
TAX EXEMPT # M.75 ED 1739 NON-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION
Founder His Holiness Pujya Shree Chitrabhanuji
July 2, 1999
My dear President, Directors, Members,
Affiliates of JAINA and Guests,
Directors
Jivan Proctor Pramoda Chitrabhanu
Barry Wolfe Devendra Peer
Every two years, it is an inspiring feeling to be with all of you and the members of JAINA. You have worked with great dedication, devotion and precision to bring together the various flowers of Jain Centers, Societies and Temples to create a beautiful garland of unity. Jainism is not only a teaching but it is primarily a practice, the practice of Ahimsa. Ahimsa means the dignity and sacredness of the human person in relation with all other living beings. Its criteria is Reverence for All Life.
Violence is spreading like wildfire all over the world and is devouring human life. It is a matter of grave concern to all of us and so our conscience urges us to do something in this direction: Practice of Ahimsa in everyday life, creating literature, holding conferences and seminars, and increasing the consciousness of Reverence for All Life are the ways to peace. And with our sincere practice, meditation and prayer, we create vibrations of awareness of Reverence for Life; in this way, we help nullify the idea of dehumanizing war and violence in the world at large.
Bhagwan Mahavira has shown us by example of his own life experiences that nonviolence and compassion are the only answers for peace and well-being. In order to expunge violence, one has to remove it from thoughts, from feelings, from the mind, and from one's expression. Knowing this law of life, we can purify our minds with meditation and understanding, and then with guidance can help our children avoid becoming victims of this materialistic world where violence is predominant.
Success, not at the cost of others, not with conflict but with cooperation and coordination becomes pragmatic and automatic; it teaches an individual to transform his or her life and be the part of a world where love, amity and friendship are healing and nourishing to all living beings. The cruelty which is imposed upon the lives of animals is beyond imagination. True Jains, all through their history, have refrained from cruelty. Carl Sagan in Time Magazine, October 20, 1980 wrote:- "...
there is no right to life in any society on earth today, nor has there been at any former time (with a few rare exceptions, such as among the JAINS in India)." You will not find any vegetarian army that has participated
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Jalm International Meditation Center
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Phone : 368 6887 . Tel/ Fax : 367 3355
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