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Jais
2005
JMC
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A Message from Gurudev Chitrabhanu His Holiness Pujya The need of this fragmented world of war and violence is unity in diversity and Shree Chitrabhanuji
peace among religious communities and nations of the world. Jain Association In
North America - JAINA - has shown through practice that it has become a symDirectors
bol of unity. JAINA has united the strength of 68 Jain Centers which have more Jivan Proctor Pramoda Chitrabhanu
than 80,000 members practicing non-violence, living ecologically, and observing Barry Wolfe
the principles of Jain Dharma in various ways: A garden of Ahimsa blossoming in Devendra Peer colorful pleasant flowers.
COLORIENDSHI
In today's world, Jain Dharma - the peaceful living and thinking - lived and espoused by Lord Mahavir 2600 years ago - has a great relevance. Most of the Jains have established rapport with all paths of people, developing the spirit of cooperation through understanding and reverence. This is our living example of unity. All 68 Jain Centers welcome all Jain traditions, sects, rituals and their teachers, because the essential principle of the unifying element is Ahimsa, Peace and Amity. We become aware of what we agree with people and not in what we differ with them. But some orthodox people coming back from temple-visit engage in trivial differences of a particular sect, statues or form of worship learned back home. The young are quick to grasp pertiness of such squabbling and become alienated from knowing more about Jain Dharma and its enduring healthy tradition, which even today is alive.
I request both the elders and young to realize that rituals are surface supplements while the real thing is deeper. The essential principle, which is the unifying element of Parasparo Upagraho Jivanam is the real spirit - we live and grow by mutual support and help.
R
To me Jain Dharma is an open outlook to paradox where opposites are integrated, for Jain Dharma is compassionate tolerance toward what we see and what we express. It has many ways but one aim. Variety of practice is a spice of vision.
TON. RE
ES
CENAC
Love and Blessings, Chitrabhanu
Gurudev Chitrabhanu's message has been condensed for this publication
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