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TAINA
FEDERATION OF JAIN ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA
The Federation of JAINA is an umbrella organization of local Jain Associations in USA and Canada and was started with the blessings from Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji and Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji. It was initiated at the first Jain Convention held in Los Angeles in 1981 and formalized at the second Jain Convention in New York in 1983.
JAINA is a federation of 67 Jain organizations representing more than 150,000 Jains living in USA and Canada without any distinction based on sect, language or region. It has provided a forum to foster friendship and unity among various Jain communities in North America.
OBJECTIVES: 1) Promote religious and educational activities related to the Jain religion and to develop better understanding of the Jain religion. 2) Assist and promote charitable and humanitarian activities in North America and worldwide. 3) Actively promote vegetarianism and Nonviolence. 4) Provide and promote academic and cultural exchanges amongst Jains everywhere. 5) Assist existing Jain associations and support the formation of new Jain associations in North America 6) Serve as a liaison with government agencies in pursuance of the above objectives.
7) Foster cordial relationships with interfaith or multi faith organizations.
JAINA functions through more than 300 Volunteers from all corners of North America. It has an executive Director with Headquarters in Getzville (Suburb of Buffalo, NY). The Executive Committee of JAINA is elected every two years from a group of Directors nominated by member organizations. JAINA has adopted the first Sunday in October in recognition of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday as Ahimsa Day. JAINA volunteers work with local governments to issue proclamations for observance of Ahimsa Day. It is celebrated by promoting non-violence, Vegetarianism and organizing seminars on Ahimsa.
SERVICES: JAIN DIGEST is a quarterly magazine published by JAINA and is sent free to 10,000 families in North America. It chronicles news and activities of member organizations, community affairs and articles by scholars of Jainism, and humanitarian activities undertaken by JAINA volunteers. JAINA also publishes a colorful calendar each year with important Jain holidays and is mailed out free to all Jain households in North America. There is a JAINA library with more than 8,000 books in the Jain Center of Southern California. The Education Committee of JAINA has published teaching curriculum and text books which have received praise worldwide. The Jivdaya Committee promotes cause of vegetarianism and funds many Panjarapols and animal shelters in India. The JAINA Book Depot sells books, audio and videos on Jainism on no profit basis.
Every other year beginning in 1981 JAINA holds a convention that draws thousands of attendees from all over the world. The 14th biennial convention will be held during July 5-8 2007, in Edison, NJ. The theme for the Convention is "Peace through Dialogue".
The Pilgrimage Committee organizes a pilgrimage of Jain Teerthdhams in India every year. It raised funds to help build a school in cooperation with Veerayatan for 400 children in Lachhwar, Bihar. The Teerthodhdhar Committee sponsors medical camps for Sadhu/Sadhwis and funds restoration of Jain Temples. Jain Rituals committee helps local centers and individuals perform religious functions. JAINA Academic Liaison Committee is a charter member of Ahimsa Center at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and is preparing to catalog and support Jain studies in North America.
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www.jainelibrary.org
