JAINA Convention 2011 07 Program Guide Houston TX

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

Page 3

PADEDADES
JAINA CONVENTION 2011
"Live and Help Live"
GENERAL PROGRAM FOR ADULTS FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2011
Blessings Ceremony (Friday Afternoon): The convention program will open with blessings and addresses by spiritual leaders gracing the convention.
Jains Got Talent (Friday afternoon and evening): Introducing for the FIRST TIME, an entertainment show comprising of a talent competition of over 50 talented Jains of all ages (from 5 years onwards) showing their talent in singing, dance, music, comedy, acting, etc. There are two categories for the competition, "18 & below" and "Above 18". The contestants in each category will be competing against each other and judges will chose the finalist from these Friday's performances. The program will be compared by a local Emcee who has performed in "The Great Indian Laughter Challenge".
Gandhi Before Gandhi Drama (Friday Evening): This is a professional drama in Hindi performed by a group of 15 artists from India. It portrays the life and accomplishments of the great Jain scholar Shree Virchand Raghavji Gandhi. This famous drama has been staged at a number of cities in India, and also, in Belgium; a total of over 180 shows so far. This will be the first showing of this drama in North America. Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi attended the first parliament of World Religions with Swami Vivekanand at Chicago in 1893 and won a silver medal. He was very close to Mahatma Gandhi, and had stayed together with him in one house for two years. The Indian government has released a postal stamp of this historical figure, proving how important he was to the nation. During his short life of only 37 years, he delivered 535 speeches on Jainism and other religions and on cultural and social life in India. He wrote books on Jain philosophy, yoga philosophy, the concept of Karma and the six systems of Indian philosophy. He also translated a French book "An Unknown Life of Jesus Christ"
Ras-Garba Bhangra (Friday Evening): A profession music group will provide live music for youths and adults to perform and enjoy Ras/Garba/Bhangra dances.
SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011
EARLY MORNING PROGRAMS
Yoga, meditation, Pratikraman and Zumba/Bollywood Exercise sessions will be held in the morning in Hilton Hotel as shown on the schedule. Preksha Dhyan meditation sessions will be conducted by Samanijis from Jain Vishwa Bharati.
MORNING PROGRAMS
Temple Opening Ceremony: (Attendance by invitation only) Program will include Sthapana of Murties in the temple followed by Aarti. Audience will be able to watch this ceremony on the large monitor screens in the hall. Other temple programs will be as shown on the schedule
Procession (Participation by invitation only): The grand procession of Sanghpatis, dignitaries, JAINA presidents, Convention Board, spiritual leaders, scholars, JAINA and Jain Center leaders will