JAINA Convention 2015 07 Atlanta GA

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

Page 63

The importance of Environment Conservation in All Religions - Some thoughts? Acharya Amrender Muni
During the course of my
research I have attempted to study and compare the viewpoints of several different religions on environmental conservation.
The journey of life is made possible by mutual cooperation between all living beings
In the Jain tradition Lord Mahavir has said that we must protect every living being with all our heart, body and soul. This is because the journey of life is made possible by mutual cooperation between all living beings. It is our duty to think of even the smallest Jiva as having the same Atma or divine light shining within it as ourselves. If everyone developed this viewpoint then the danger to the environment would automatically disappear.
2015
JAINA Convention
There is a lot of discussion and mention about environmental protection in Hindu philosophy and Hindu texts. However before I talk about
There is a saying: "Hindu Duyate chintam- sah Hindu parikirtitah." This means that whoever is sad, troubled and shaken at the sight of violence
124
qualifies as a Hindu. To put it in other words one who believes
in Ahinsa or non-violence, is a Hindu no matter if he belongs to the Jain, Buddhist, Sanatan harm, Vaishnav, Sikh, Christian or Muslim faiths. They all fall in the same category if they are believers in non-violence and dislike violence.
When I studied the Hindu religious texts I was overjoyed to read the following lines which convey so beautifully the spirit of environmental conservation.
Even today people believe that Devatas live in the trees and cutting down a tree is like cutting your own son. Thus we should protect nature and live my views on the subject I think it is important to our lives as responsible human beings. It is our mention that the word "Hindu" does not represent duty to protect and conserve the environment in only a particular religious sect but is actually an all-which we live because it sustains all life on Earth. inclusive word.
"Jaley Vishnu, sthaley Vishnu, Vishnu parvat mastakey, Jwaal mala kuley Vishnu, Vishnumayam sarv jagat."
The "Lord Vishnu resides in the water, in the land and in the high peaks of the mountains. He is in the flames of the fire and even in the air - the whole world is permeated with Lord Vishnu." Hence we should not consciously destroy anything for, The Lord is in everything.
With blessings, Om Arhum. Amrender Muni
What soap is to the body laughter is to the soul-iddish Proverb
President Janak Rajani
Vice-President
Manna Shah
Secretary
Vishal Mehta Joint-Secretary Monica Shah
Treasurer Pragnesh Shah Joint-Treasurer Dipak Shah
Dir. of Public Relations
Sharad Doshi
Dir. of Publications Tapan Shah
Dir. of Education
Megha Doshi
Dir. of Facility Kamlesh P Shah Dir. Of Events Dimple Doshi
Dir. of Volunteers Sahil Shah
Dir. of Technology Hemen Gandhi
Past President Council,
Chair
Paresh Shah
Board of Trustees Chairman
Pravin Dand
Board of Trustees Manoj Dharamsi Kanu Doshi
Dr. Sushil Jain Bhupesh Mehta Harshid Shah
Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington
A non-profit tax-exempt religious organization, id #54-1139623
Congratulation and best wishes
Federation of Jain Associations in North America 18th Biennial Convention - July 2015
Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington Background: Jain Society was established in March 1980.
Current Facilities: Acquired in 1989, consists of 4.35 acres of land with a 4300sq.ft. two story building with a Jain temple, multipurpose hall, classrooms, library, kitchen and rooms. Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington has achieved an important milestone of purchasing land for the future traditional authentic Jain Temple located at 4241 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Membership: Over 580 families including 530+ families as life members.
Activities:
• Regular religious classes on Sundays: 6 levels for children & for Adults.
• Celebration of Jain holy days (Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan Parva, etc.)
• Speeches by Jain spiritual leaders and Jain scholars.
• Youth activities in collaboration with national umbrella youth organization. (YJA) for establishing a network to share Jain principles & heritage. Celebration of Ahimsa Day on Thanksgiving Day.
• Picnic, Open House and Medical Checkups. Community outreach activities.
1021 BRIGGS CHANEY ROAD, SILVER SPRING, MI) • PHONE: (301) 236-4466 MAILING ADDRESS: PO BOX 4548, SILVER SPRING, MD 20914. Web Addrex www.JainSocietyDC.org
Jainism: World of Non-Violence 125