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JA ISA
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2005
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WELCOME MESSAGE FROM JCNC PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN
Dear Convention Members and Respected Guests,
On behalf of Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) it gives us a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 13th Biennial JAINA Convention 2005 in beautiful San Francisco Bay Area in California, USA. JCNC has always played a groundbreaking and important role in promoting Jainism and uniting Jains worldwide. We were founding members of JAINA and played a key role in developing, nurturing and growing JAINA throughout its history. Our unique Jain Bhawan in Milpitas, California is the first in North America to have Pran Pratisthit idols (pratimas) in an integrated Jain temple, and in being respectful of the needs by providing ideal setting for practicing Jainism in all major traditions and styles. Please make it a point to visit our Jain Bhawan while in Bay Area.
The theme of the Convention is "Extending Jain Heritage in The Western Environment", and JAINA and JCNC have worked very hard over last two years to bring you a very exciting and interesting Convention. Scores of volunteers have worked thousands of hours to plan and prepare to provide you with a unique experience over three and a half days. In this Convention we have a new and comprehensive program format with subject matter for all ages and all interests, please spend a few minutes to review it and plan your time. The program is crafted around the Convention Theme to address key aspects of Jain way of life in North America and western world. Over the 3-1/2 day period you will find lectures, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, and field trips addressing religious, social, cultural and professional lifestyles in Jain context. The program also includes an academic symposium, a mela, an art exhibition, an on-site temple, and various cultural and entertainment programs including an inter-Jain Center cultural competition and programs by Anuradha Podwal, Manhar Udhas and other professional artists, in addition to creating an opportunity to learn and explore Jain cooking from world famous Tarla Dalal.
Unity in Diversity has been an important theme to ensure that our next generation focuses on basic tenets of Jainism and learns to respect all different traditions and practice Anekantwad, first within the Jain community and then beyond. We are proud of what we have achieved in practice in this regards.
While we have tried our best to meet all the needs of all of you, it would be a miracle if we have not fallen short somewhere. We apologize if we have not met all your expectations and for any mistakes made. In the spirit of our Jain tradition we pray for forgiveness for our faults. Mittchhami Dukkadam.
Hasu Shah,
President, JCNC
Parveen Jain,
Board Chairman, JCNC
Extending Jain Heritage in Western Environment
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