Jain Center of America NY 1984 09 Paryushan

Author(s): Jain Center of America NY
Publisher: USA Jain Center America NY

Page 10

49646 JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA - PARYUSHAN 1984 45454545
Jain Library: The Executive Council has agreed to spend some of our funds to purchase religious books. Modern libraries don't have only books; we must get slides, tapes, films, and video which, incidentally, would make learning easier for our children. We need a reliable and responsible person to be our librarian. Charitable Activities: Most of us here are fortunate and blessed with resources and do not have to worry about day-to-day necessities. It is our moral obligation to guide and support our less fortunate brothers and sisters here, while situation in India is quite different. We must pledge to send books, clothes, foods, etc. I would go even further and establish a scholarship fund for education and a medical fund for hospitals. Invitation to Jain Scholars: You will notice in this brochure a list of Jain scholars in India. It would be refreshing to have one or two of them visit us once a year. This kind of activity requires substantial resources and we should coordinate our activities with the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). Newsletter: Lack of communication breeds suspicion and it becomes a fertile ground for rumors. Through a newsletter we can enjoy the good things in life and share tragic events and sympathy. I would like to see it being published every three months. We need four pledges each worth $1000. Committees: The purpose of these committees is to concentrate on specific activities and carry out the work in a well organized manner. We need volunteers for: 1. Building Committee (proposed temple) 2. Construction Committee 3. Constitution Committee 4. Food Committee 5. Fund Raising Committee 6. Maintenance Committee 7. Membership Committee
8. Program Committee We have brains to think and dream, but we need two hands with the rest of the body to make our dreams a reality. So, please, next time when you do strain your brain with thoughts and dreams, let your hands lend a support to make them a reality.
This is our first attempt to publish a souvenir. We intend to continue it every year. In addition to providing an annual report it will carry a specific message. This issue is a religious one where we have tried to sprinkle it with religious sayings.
The next one may be social in which we will have articles to help us in different phases of life, starting with babies' names; helpful hints for new mothers; what to look for when selecting nursery, kindergarten, montessore, private high schools, trade schools, colleges, and universities; how to prepare a good resume and land a good job; what you need for a wedding ceremony, what is said during the wedding ceremony, and what it means; why you need a will and how to get it prepared; what is cremation, why is it done, and how to find a good funeral home; inclusion of calendar with Panchang and Choghadia. The purpose of this basic outline is to solicit articles from all of you. Also, a souvenir becomes a souvenir in a true sense only if we get unrestricted advertisements.
The one after that could be on financial matters: why money is a necessary evil; what is interest rate; how to use a mortgage table and how it works; what is amortization and depreciation; stocks, bonds, and how not to get suffocated in an endless maze; how to read a financial statement and what to look for; how to buy a house--a check list; how to buy and run a successful business, real estate syndication-what it is and how it works; tax shelterswhat they are, and do they shelter you or promoters; how to buy gold, diamonds, etc.-should you rely on faith and trust of the seller. A wealth of information to make you wealthy or at least keep you away from becoming poor.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the past presidents and past and present committee members and volunteers. My special thanks to Jayendra Shah ana Seventi Sheth for their substantial contribution for our Temple and humanitarian work for the blood bank, respectively. Both of them provided excellent material for publication in this souvenir. Unfortunately, time and space limitations forced us to exclude them along with many other articles. I also appreciate the effort that was put forth by many people for the cultural program and Swamivatsalya during the Mahavir Jayanti Celebration. This function was attended by more than one thousand people and was a great success. I hope that with more and more people coming forward and volunteering their precious time and expertise, our future pograms will be even more successful
The last thing I want to tell you about is very near and dear to all of us is upcoming Paryushan. Be a JAIN in the real sense, at least for a week in this year, by observing the following (in order of priority): 1. No consumption of meat by any member of the family. 2. No consumption of alcohol by any member of the family 3. Do not eat green vegetables. 4. Make an effort to spend at least two hours a day on religious activities. Donate generously-physically and financially.
Jai Jinendra
and Michhami Dukkadam
USLELS
F
WE BELIEVE IN AHIMSA - NON-VIOLENCE
44655
Jain Education Intemational