JAINA Convention 1999 07 Philadelphia

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

Page 97

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He felt that it was important to participate in a dialogue involving all other religions of the world. He found the prohibition on using any vehicle (even machine driven) hard to accept in the modern world. He could see that Jains living abroad (and non -Jains) were interested in learning more about Jainism. The time had come to take this more than 2500-year-old message of Jainism abroad for their sake.He attended the conference in Geneva and was well received. He took the opportunity to travel all over Europe. He stopped in Rome to have an audience with Pope Paul VI. As a philosopher and teacher, this trip gave him new experiences. The Western world got its first encounter with a Jain Master of world vision.
CROSSROADS
He had reached a crossroads. He searched deeply within his heart to decide: what was his duty? What was his choice? To continue in his high position to which he had grown accustomed in the name of conformity or break new ground.
HIS CHOICE
He decided that he would not remain a traditional monk but lead the life of true Sadhaka (aspirant). In order to finish his Karma (that is) the mission of this life, he chose to marry his spiritual companion, Pramoda Shah, a graduate student of Psychology, whose spiritual quest had led her to join his mission. They got married in a simple ceremony in the spring of 1971. After staying in Africa and visiting Europe, at the invitation of Harvard Divinity School he came to the USA in 1971 and settled here. They have two sons, Rajeev and Darshan.
HIS WORK
True to his "Poem" and his beliefs, he has lived the life of a Sadhak. He has presided over historic events establishing sixteen Jain temples and fifty-four Jain centers all over the USA and Canada.
But the learning never stops for a true Sadhaka. In 1981 driven by inner quest Gurudev and Pramodaben went to San Diego for deep meditation. There Gurudev attained the enlightened state of self awareness which enabled him to purify further his own consciousness. This resulted in global horizon of reverence for all life. Pramodaben experienced light through her practice of Samayik (Equanimity) and started sharing this deep insight of peace with aspirants.
10th Biennial JAINA Convention
In order to better organize Jains abroad Gurudev founded the Federation of Jain Associations In North America (JAINA), the umbrella organization which has more than 100,000 members. He has worked tirelessly for the last 27 years to transplant and expound the age-old essence of the Jains scriptures in the Western soil. Because of his vision and the vision of Pujya Sushil Muniji, whom Gurudev sponsored in 1975 to come to America, the Jains are a vibrant, throbbing community in the USA.
The new generation of Jains born in North America have found his teachings inspiring. The bubbling energy of the youth as shown in the roaring success of Young Jains of America (YJA), an arm of JAINA, gives hope that the seed he planted n 1971 has taken roots in the fertile soil and is blossoming into a fragrant flower.
Let us join together at this 10th Biennial JAINA Convention to appreciate Gurudev's lifetime commitment to spreading Ahimsa.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
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