JAINA Convention 2007 07 NJ Edison Program Guide

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

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(FOGANA), Washington Chapter of Association of Indians in America (AIA), Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), Jain Society of Washington, and Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). He Traveled extensively in India and U.S.A and around the World.
GURUDEV CHITRABHANUJI
Disciple of Acharya Sagaranand Surishvarji. Formerly a very famous monk from India., Gurudev spent the first five years of his monastic life in silence and meditation.. First monk to bless America. He was a freedom fighter earlier in his life. He participated in the Second Spiritual Summit Conference in Geneva in 1970, becoming the first Jain master to come to the West. He came to the Third Spiritual Summit Conference at Harvard Divinity School in 1971. He is the founder and advisor to the Devine Knowledge Society in Mumbai and Jain Meditation International Center in New York City, a spiritual guide of 67 Jain Centers in North America under JAINA, and of other centers in England, Africa, Japan (Kobe), Singapore, Dubai and India. He is a world-renowned author of over twenty-five books. Performed innumerable workshops, seminars and temple sthapanas around the world.
IGGY IGNATIUS
Iggy Ignatius, (52 years) an engineer from BITS Pilani and an MBA from Urbana-Champaign, is launching Bharat Vilas, a non-profit organi zation, to build retirement communities in the US for seniors of Indian origin. Iggy has many years of experience in the field of real estate development in New Jersey, developing time-sharing resorts across India, and building highway motels on the national highways in Tamilnadu. Iggy and his wife Shanti are embarking on this project on a non-profit basis as their way of giving back to their society. They currently live in Lansing, Michigan and are planning to start these retirement communities across US wherever there is a need/interest for these.
JAYKUMAR UPADHYE
Dr. Jay Kumarji Upadhye is a well known Jain scholar in our community, disciple of AcharyaShri Muni Vidyanandji Maharaj. And currently head of the Prakrit department in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Sanskrit University, New Delhi. He is a VidhaanAcharya & Pratishthacharya. He is holder of many degrees including Masters in Jain Temple Ceremony (Pratishthaacharya) and in Jain Householders. He got his Doetorate in Critical Analysis of Jyotish & Vastu Vidya in Prakrut. He's been giving religious discourses since many years.
JIN CHANDRA SURIJI
"Jin Chandra Suriji undertook long journeys within the country to propagate Jain religion and its philosophy. On insistence of the Sangh, he journeyed to foreign countries in the year 1975. He has been to Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, United States of America, Canada and England etc. His simple explanation of the deep and complicated philosophical thoughts were easily understood and highly valued by the people in those countries.
JIN CHANDRAJI MAHÄRÄJ
Diksha at the age of 21. Immediately established as Bhattaraka at Humbuja Jain Math.. Bhattarakji is similar to Hindu Jagatguru Shankaracharya. He is MA in Philosophy from Madras University and PhD from Madurai University. He directs monthly magazine "Gurudeva" and "Sri Siddhanteerty Granthmala" through which His Holiness has published hundreds of religious books. He is first existing monk to propagate Jain religion and philosophy outside India and first monk to establish Bhagwan mahaveer's idol in Southern hemisphere (Australia). Performed Pratishtha for at least 25 Jain temples and ten Hindu Jain temples. He traveled at least forty times covering almost all of the countries of the world. He graced Parliament of World religion, UNO Peace Summit, World religion and Cultural conference (Belgium - 1974). Directing educational institutions to impart religious values in Karnataka state.
KAMALA MEHTA
Mrs Kamala Mehta is an acclaimed Jain scholar with core knowledge in various Jain Agams, sastras and deep knowledge in Jainism. Her mission or interest is in social service, vegetarianism, education, women's welfare and animal welfare. She holds positions of inspiration and responsibility in many organizations including: All India Swetamber Sthanakwasi Jain Conference Woman Wing, Tamil Nadu, President - Rastra Gyan Prakash Yojna, Tamil Nadu. She is completely dedicated and has devoted herself to learning & exploring Jainism, presenting
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