JAINA Convention 2001 07 Chicago IL

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

Page 45

Number BC 503
Topic Twilight Zone
Speaker
Time Location Paulomi Gudka Friday 2:30 -3:30 p.m. Dr.Sanjay Mehta Hyatt, Augusta A/B
Session Information: This session is a spin-off of the famous X-Files session held during JAINA 1999 convention in Philadelphia. Join us for a travel to uncharted territory. We will attempt to ponder questions related to Jainism, never before asked and whose answers are in the realm of the unknown. For example, what if the world was predominantly Jain? What if there was no concept of reincarnation in Jain Philosophy? What if Jainism had not started in India? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? If such questions interest you, come join us for an entertaining and interactive session to gain insight into Jainism from a radically different perspective. Let's think outside of the Jain box.
Speaker: Paulomi Gudka has completed a double major in Computer Science and Economics from the University of Toronto. She has been active in the Jain Community for many years and has led many seminars on Jainism. Dr. Sanjay Mehta is a pediatrician, starting a fellowship in emergency medicine and has a Masters in Education. He has been actively involved with local and national Jain organizations, both in Calgary and in Toronto, where he currently lives. Sanjay and Paulomi have worked together in the past, including their combined effort in producing The Jain X-Files at JAINA 1999.
NumberTopic ABC Who Governs the Events of the 604 Universe - Karma, Free Will, or
Is it Predestined
Speaker Pravin Shah
Time/ Location Friday 2:30-3:20 p.m. Hyatt, Turnberry
Session Information: There exists significant misconception in understanding the Jain philosophy of Karma and Free-will. Also some Jains believe that all events are predestined and there is no role of Free-will or Free-will itself is predestined. The presentation will discuss the proper role of Karma, Free-will, and Predestination in explaining the happenings of any events in the universe. It applies the Jain concept of Anekantwad. Several practical examples will be analyzed to understand the importance of Karma, Free-will, and Predestination in the Jain philosophy.
Speaker: Pravin K. Shah is the founding member of Jain Study Center of North Carolina and a director of JAINA. He is an Electrical Engineer, works for IBM and lives in Raleigh North Carolina. He is a Jain scholar and activist against animal cruelty. He is a chairperson of Jaina Education Committee and advisor to YJA and YJP youth organizations. He has published several articles and books on Jain philosophy and animal rights. His primary objective is to provide Jain religious education to youths and the Jain community at large. He offers two-day workshop on Jainism to educate youths and prepare Jain pathashala teachers. His website www.jainism.org contains significant information of Jainism.
Number Topic ABC 607R | Who wants to be a Jain
Scholar
Speaker Time Location Sudhir Shah | Friday 4:30-5:20 p.m.
Hyatt, Grand Cypress A/B
AB 607
Saturday 4:30-5:20 p.m. Hyatt, Grand Cypress A/B
Session Information: How much do you know about the basic concepts and philosophy of Jainism? This session is modeled after a popular T.V. show, "Who wants to be a millionaire?" This multimedia game show will test the participants' knowledge of Jainism in a fun and entertaining way.
Note: JAINA neither endorses nor rejects the material and/or answers presented in this session.
Speaker: Mr. Sudhir Shah is the Pathshala Coordinator for the Connecticut pathshala and he was a pathshala teacher for 6 years. He is the editor of "Anekantvad", a quarterly newsletter on Jainism and a co-founder of Anekantvad Education Foundation. Mr. Sudhir Shah has earned M.S. and M.P.P.M. from Yale University.
JAINA Convention 2001 Program Book Page # 35