JAINA Convention 2017 07 Edison NJ

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

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JAINA CONVENTION 2017
IDF
Universal Ahimsa Foundation (Regd.)
37-38,6-22/Sector 27 Rohini,Delhi 110085 Tel: +91 11 27052030, Mob: +91 9350782508
Email: universalahimsafnd@gmail.com Founder: HH Shantidoot Acharya Amrender Muni Ji Maharaj
Deballadorlife.
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I travel to several places - e.g. Boston and many Americans come to me and ask me - Can we become Jain ? I ask them why do you want to become Jain? Why not something else? Or why not remain what you are? They reply - in Jainism there is peace and we like that and when we look deep into the teachings of Mahavir we resonate with them - so we want to be Jain. I have given spiritual Jain names to some Americans - names like Trishala and Chandanbala- because Trishala was Lord Mahavir's mother and Chandanbala was his disciple. Here it is important to mention that the role of women in Jainism is noteworthy - In Mahavir's time Chandanbala was the head of 36,000 sadhvis whereas the male sadhus were only 14000. It seems that the heart of women is full of devotion.
febbraiorello@
loreldrene
Acharya Vinoba Bhave has said that I have read about Mahavir and also Buddha, but when I read about Mahavir I feel devotion in my heart. In his book 'Matru Shakti Naari" Vinobaji mentions that Buddha was reluctant to include women in his order and did so much later & after a lot of persuasion from his disciple Anand. Bhagwan Mahavir on the other hand had included women in senior roles in his order almost 25 years prior to Bhagwan Buddha. Mahavir included people from all walks of life in his sangha - including scheduled castes and others because his principle was "ega manushya jayi" or all humanity is one. There is no human who is small or big . Thus Vinoba Bhave said that when I think of these things, each and every atom bows in homage to Lord Mahavir. Lord Buddha was cautious but Mahavir was bold. Lord Mahavir was a Kshatriya (and so was Buddha ) but the latter did not show as much courage as Mahavir who was a true brave heart.
Taking all these things into account I am very happy that the Biennial Jaina convention is working hard to spread the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir. I am also happy to see the work of all the leaders of Jaina who are trying to bring about change in America. This will surely happen because of your hard work. The new generation will learn a lot from what you are offering. I give my blessings and good wishes to the Jaina convention. May you have great success.
lodig
Om Arhum
mise Ameender Kumar
( Muni Amrender Kumar)
2009