JAINA Convention 2001 07 Chicago IL

Author(s): Jain Society of Metropolitian Chicago
Publisher: USA Jain Center Chicago IL

Page 37

Legend to Session Numbers:
A: Appropriate for 12 -17 years B: Appropriate for 18 24 years C: Appropriate for 25 yrs and up
Number ABC 605
SPEECHES BY SCHOLARS BREAKOUT SESSIONS
NOTE: All Sessions are listed alphabetically by topics. Any session number followed by 'R' will be presented one more time. For example session ABC 401 R is appropriate for all ages and will be presented one more time.
Number ABC 609
AB: Appropriate for 12-24 yrs BC: Appropriate for 18 yrs and up ABC: Appropriate for all youths
Topic
Speaker Animal Compassion John Robbins
Session Information:
Ahinsa (Non-violence) is the pillar of Jain philosophy. We Jains believe in not hurting any living being by mind, speech or physical means. Do we ever think of violence caused to animals without being aware of? For example are we aware of violence we unknowingly cause when we buy cosmetics, when we wear silk clothes, when we eat pizza or when we buy leather sofa? This eye opening session will guide us towards following Ahinsa in a way that we have never cared to think or know. (SPEAKER John Robbins -see item # 25)
Topic
Are Rituals Necessary
In the practice of Jainism?
Panel Discussion.
Speakers Pramoda Chitrabhanu, Darshana Shah, Megha Doshi, Amar Salgia
Time / Location
Saturday 4:30-5:20 p.m. Hyatt, Augusta A/B
Session Information:
In the practice of most religions rituals play a vital part, and understandably so. Jainism as practiced today is certainly not an exception. Jainism as taught by Lord Mahavir stress the importance of self-realization thru meditation and self-purification, which are achieved, by Samyak Gyan (Right Knowledge), and Samyak Darshan (Right Perception). These ultimately evolve into Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct) leading to liberation. Tracing the history of Jainism one can easily determine that rituals were introduced in the practice of Jainism hundreds of years later. To an uninitiated practice of Jainism today appears, and mostly rightfully so, nothing more than blind ritualism. What is the role of rituals, if any, in the practice of Jainism today? Can we, or better yet, are we capable of achieving the goals of Jainism without the help of rituals? This thought provoking session will answer many of your questions. Each panelist will first present his/her view on the subject followed by audience participation. A moderator will facilitate audience questions to the right panelist.
Time/Location
Friday 4:30-5:20 p.m. Hyatt, Augusta A/B
Speaker:
Ms. Pramoda Chitrbhanu: Pramodaben has been very actively involved in Jain education for the past many years. She is an animal compassion activist and has written many articles on the subject. She is the President of Jain Meditation International. She has presented many sessions during previous JAINA and YJA conventions.
Ms. Darshana Shah: Darshana Shah is born in a very religious family. She is a Pathshala teacher in Chicago for the past 4 years. She is the coordinator of JAINA convention 2001 Jain Academic Bowl. She has a master's degree in Sanskrit from M.S. University of Baroda and a Masters of Health Care Administration from Sangamon State University.
Ms. Megha Doshi: Megha is very actively involved in many community service activities both in Illinois and in Boston. She was the founder and first Chairperson of Illinois statewide program to curb student violence called Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE). She has been actively involved in Chicago Jain Society and has presented a session YJA convention. She will be a sophomore at Harvard University.
JAINA Convention 2001 Program Book Page # 27