Jain Digest 1985 10 Vol 02 No 02

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

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I am writing to let you know about a significant event in the promotion of Jainism to the American public and to ask your personal help in making this event a success.
An hour-long documentary, "Ahimsa--Non-Violence," is currently being produced, to be aired on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) network. This documentary will explain for the first time to a national audience the teachings and philosophy of Jainism.
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
The film is being produced by Ms. Marion Hunt of Beverly Hills, California, with the assistance of KRMA-TV, the PBS affiliate in Denver. Professor Jaini of UCLA - Berkeley, is the script consultant. H. H. Sushilkumarji and Chitrabhanuji, prominent Jain spiritual leaders, will be among those interviewed and narrating the film.
The purpose of the documentary is to represent to the American public true Jainism and its fundamental principles of "live and let live and help to live". Many places of Jain pilgrimage in India will be shown, including a number of our temples. Part of the film will focus on the daily religious routines of Jain monks. Interviews will also be conducted with Jain religious leaders, as well as practicing believers.
The costs of developing the documentary are being offset by a number of contributions of money and services. KRMA-TV is providing equipment, crews, and post-production facilities, worth approximately $30,000. Air India has provided free travel for the production principals to India. The India government tourist office is assisting in local arrangements and coordination for the production crew, and the Oberoi Hotel has offered free lodging in Delhi and Bombay. Ms. Hunt, the producer, has herself underwritten about $7,000 in production costs from her own funds.
The project still needs help, however, if this documentary is to be aired. About $11,000 in post-production
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