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MESSAGE FROM CONVENER AND CO-CONVENER
It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome you all on behalf of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) and Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) to the 13th Biennial JAINA convention.
As JAINA celebrates its 25th year of formation, we look back to the unique contribution it has made to the North American Jain community in particular and to the Jain Community worldwide by promoting the concept of a Jain organization that crosses the boundaries of all Jain traditions (sects) and serves all Jains. By forming this integrated Jain organization concept early in the life of the Jain community in North America, it has fostered unity of the community. We would venture to say that our youths see themselves as "Jains" and have merged the boundaries of traditions by adopting principles of different traditions in their practice of Jain way of life.
This convention is re-affirming this concept of unity in diversity whereby we follow our own traditions but in harmony with other members of the society. This reaffirmation is essential for the future as we have seen the importance of unity being eroded as the community has grown increasingly larger. We urge all of you to listen to the messages of unity in diversity (harmony and not uniformity) and sign the pledge to promote and support organizations with a commitment to keep all Jains united in North America.
JA IN....
We have always tried to maintain affordability of the convention for everyone. This has become possible only because of support from Jain Sanghs, philanthropist and corporate sponsors. We thank them for their generous support.
We thank all the volunteers (convention committee volunteers, members, coordinators, committee chairs, convention board members, and speakers) for their untiring efforts in organizing this convention. These are the people who brainstormed the designs of the convention and then executed them for your enjoyment. We also would like to thank Jain Center of Northern California for hosting this convention and providing the impetus for this convention.
We are thankful to you, the participants, who have come from near and far and across the globe to rub shoulders and share emotions and ideas to strengthen the unity among Jain Community.
Last but not least; if we may have not performed to your fullest satisfaction and expectations, we ask you for your forgiveness. Mitchhami Dukkadam.
Kirit Daftary Convener
Jain Education International 2010_03
Girish Shah Co-Convener
Extending Jain Heritage in Western Environment
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