JAINA Convention 1999 07 Philadelphia

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

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10th Biennial JAINA Convention
JAINA should also break down the wall between North American Jain Scholars and the Jain communities. Let us interact with them. Jainism on this land cannot flourish without the support of the Academia
HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES: JAINA has become a premier Indian-American institution in this field. JAINA has been the recipient of many awards because of its humanitarian activities for fellow living beings irrespective of their caste, color, country or language. JAINA has been honored by the highest authorities in our adopted land as well as motherland. A few examples are American Red Cross, U.S. AID, Government of India and many others. JAINA will expand its horizons and try to become 'International Mahavir Red Cross' and be everywhere, where we are needed. We should be working with U.S. AID and United Nations. Jains from North America are already involved serving poor and indigent patients in some parts of India. We should expand our efforts and organize medial camps in every state of India.
NORTH AMERICAN JAIN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM-- This program should be expanded and help all the needy Jain families after certificate of approval from local Jain center. If we can't help our own, how could we expect to reach out and help others in need.
JAIN DHARMASHALA - Every port of entry, particularly New York, Toronto, Los Angles, and Chicago should have Jain Dharmashala, not for visitors to North America only, but also for newly arriving students, H-1 visa or green card holders.
INTER-FAITH--JAINA is already a member of many interfaith organizations. We should encourage all our chapters to participate in local interfaith activities. This will help other religions to understand the noble principles of ours and will provide us the opportunity to understand theirs.
FACILITY FOR CREMATION --JAINA should make sure that every metropolitan area as well as city of county seat has facility for cremation to help our community whenever the need arises.
RELATIONS WITH OTHER JAINS--JAINA should have an office in India as it has headquarters in North America to stay in touch with our motherland. We should also participate in the major activities of Jains around the world and invite them to participate in our major activities.
JAINA AND UN-JAINA has applied to become NGO member of United Nations to have an international stage to spread the message of non-violence and peace.
MAHAVIR AHIMSA AWARD - Just like the Nobel Peace Prize award, we are planning to give out a Mahavir Ahimsa Award every year worth at least US $100,000. The person should be selected from any part of the world for his or her contribution in establishing peace through non-violent means. Award ceremony can be held in New York with secretary General of United Nations awarding the award or-in Washington, Ottawa or New Delhi, where respective head of government can bestow this award on him or her.. This will provide Jains around the globe a sense of identity and feeling of pride. It will provide TV, Radio and print media coverage of unparalleled quantity.
JAIN SENIOR CITIZEN'S CENTERS - The time has come to wake up and start planning senior citizen housing in various locations next to our temples, where our respected elderly citizens can spend their golden years in a religious atmosphere. Christians, Jews, Moslems and Hindus have such senior citizen housing in many metropolitan areas, Can't we have one in each of these six regions (Canada,
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