JAINA Convention 2005 07 JCNC

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

Page 7

2005
EDITORIAL
JAINA 2005 Souvenir Editorial
and Marketing Committee
Jai Jinendra,
An ancient religion such as Jainism, with its historical roots dating back to more than 2800 years is bound to have a wide range of traditions. One can compare the Jain heritage to river Ganga, starting from Gangotri, flowing down the mountains, adapting to the different landscapes, merging with multiple streams along the way, down the plains, forming the fertile delta with its numerous subflows, as the waters of Ganga finally merge with the sea. Today's Jain heritage stems from the Gangotri of Mahaveer's teachings, with important merger with Parshwanath's traditions. Like the sangam of Ganga and Yamuna, the views of Gautam Swami and Sant Keshiswami of the Parshwanath tradition melded, and gave a thrust of the rapids to the Jain traditions. Over the years, these traditions developed and took different forms, influenced by dravya (substance), kshetra (environment), kaal (time), and bhaav (experience), and finally like the great Ganga, have formed the fertile delta of multiple traditions, each with their own unique identity, yet each representing the very same message of Mahaveer, on its way to merge with the ultimate Truth.
As we look at extending the Jain heritage in the Western Environment, we asked various scholars to provide their input, and were very pleasantly overwhelmed with the inflow of a lot of articles. These cover so many different areas, some talk about the message of Mahaveer and its value to the western world, others talk about future direction of this community, and some have suggested how these traditions can blossom in the western environment. One is led to believe that we in the western hemisphere may have traditions of our own, very much like the traditions in India, yet having their own unique identity. Even though we were very pleased to get a large volume of articles, we had to abide by the space and resource constraints, and thus perform the unpleasant task of not publishing some of the articles we received. In selecting the articles we have tried to follow an objective method and procedure. However, we do concede that this very objective procedure was subjective in many respects. In the process of selection, we, in all likelihood may have overlooked articles that could provide valuable information or insight to a JAINA member. To that effect we say Mitchchhami Dukkadam, first to the author and secondly to the potential reader. We also say Mitchchhami Dukkadam for committing potential mistakes in editing or revising the original words when not required.
Our wish is that some of you readers are positively inspired by the material presented here and it this inspiration for which we volunteers have put our effort. We have to admit that we enjoyed the whole experience in the process.
The views and opinions expressed in these chosen articles are the views of the authors. The articles are not edited to promote or hide any views. Our sincerest Mitchchhami Dukkadam to all of you for any wrong action on our part.
We thank Western Press & Mail (San Jose, CA) for layout, printing and making this souvenir a reality.
ATUAREGSTREIFERTARTMOUTHERN TERRITORTUTASOTTOTITETURATT
ERISTICHTUNTER HEATERASASTA
ARCHALARATIONER AUTORITATISTUIVATAMARANANTOTANTAMISESTAURANTERNATIONTORATETERINARITORIALE SAUTENTE
xtending Jain Herita,
**** Extending Jain
in Western Environment
Jain Education Intemational 2010_03