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Dear One and All
Jai Jinendra!
Message from Pujya Shri Chitrabhanu
It is a pleasant occasion to come together to celebrate the 17th Biennial JAINA Convention in Detroit area where all Jain Centers have worked with great dedication to bring together the various flowers of Societies and Temples to create a beautiful garland of unity.
JAINA is now a symbol of unity. It has the united strength of 68 centers which have 80,000 Jains who are trying to practice Ahimsa - Nonviolence; Anekantavada - Relativity of Thinking; and Aparigraha - Non-Acquisition, Beauty of Simplicity. Through these practices, people aspire to attain Liberation and be Arihanta.
May 27, 2013
The heart of this philosophy is espoused by Bhagwan Vardhaman Mahavira 2600 years ago and has a great relevance for all of mankind. This is taught by Jinas. Jina means those who have gone beyond their little self and freed themselves from attachment and aversion and attained self-realization.
Many young Jains are not taking interest because they see that some of their elders come home from temple-visits and engage in trivial differences about a particular sect, statues, and forms of worship. The young are quick to grasp the pettiness of such squabbling and are increasingly alienated from knowing more about their own ancient and enduring philosophy. Those who now support the root of unity within Jain Dharma must understand that the essential beginning have to be made in their own homes.
Almost 35 years ago, when we had started to establish Jain centers with the conviction of unity, we followed the path of Bhagwan Mahavira with devotion and dedication and because of our convictions we have been able to create a JAINA unity without being obsessed with diversity.
The beginnings of unity, both for elders and their children, start with the realization that rituals are the surface supplements, while the real thing is much deeper.
The essential principle, the unifying elements of the philosophy, is the real thing. Once the young person is initiated into the ways of the teachings, he will experience new worlds to explore and conquer, not outside but within.
The attitude of Anekantavada will help us not only to keep away from the petty internal strife but also to be able to ensure continuity of the teachings. We all have the collective responsibility to preserve unity because it is the only way for us to ensure the continuity of the great, enduring path of Jain Dharma.
To me Jain Dharma is an open outlook to paradox and opposites. Where opposites are integrated, Jain Dharma is compassionate tolerance; it has a vision toward what we see and what we express. It has many ways but one aim free from attachment and aversion.
Variety of practice will become a spice of vision. JAINA is a highway where all exits merge.
Love and Blessings, Chitrabhanu
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