JAINA Convention 2009 07 Los Angeles

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

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Founder His Holiness Pujya Shree Chitrabhanuji
Jivan Proctor
Directors Pramoda Chitrabhanu Barry Wolfe Devendra Peer
G
JMIC
Jan Meditation International Center
ACTION
aina
2009 Elogy The Jain Way
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cruelty. Carl Sagan in Time Magazine, October 20, 1980, wrote: "... there is no right to life in any society on earth today, nor has there been at any former time (with a few rare exceptions, such as among the JAINS in India)."
You will not find any vegetarian army that has participated in war. Nor will you find any vegetarian soldier who has gone out to kill human beings. That is why even Mahatma Gandhi, though he was not a Jain by birth, realized the true Ahinsa of Mahavira and embraced it and practiced it in life. He raised Ahinsa to the level of statesmanship and politics to liberate India without bloodshed. This Ahinsa is a solace to mankind. Not only Gandhi, not only Martin Luther King, and not only the Venerable Japanese Monk Nichidatsu Fuji, but the whole world is now looking up to this principle of Ahinsa.
Ahinsa is neither dogmatic nor sectarian. Its foundation is not blind faith but experiences of various aspects of life. In this world there is no religion as alive, beautiful and kind as Ahinsa.
Our primary purpose is to liberate our mind from attachment, greed and ignorance. When the essence of these principles is shown through example to our children, they will become the best citizens of the world. I am sure all centers, societies and temples, individually and collectively with JAINA, will continue to work in this direction and will seek the light to create an atmosphere that will be conducive to achieving our goal.
The former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, very appropriately mentioned in his letter to me that, "Ahinsa is the only answer for mankind; this Ahinsa is our heritage, our wealth, our spiritual light, and our essence."
I have no doubt that we can change many things in this world by changing ourselves, by being sensitive, caring and compassionate beings. May all cherish a feeling of amity and love amongst fellow beings and may peace and nonviolence become our guiding force.
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Ja International Meditation Center
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Love and Blessings, Chitrabhanu