Jain Digest 1990 04 Vol 17 No 02

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

Page 7

Page 4 JAINA Executive Committee detailed picture of the achievements made
during the visit. However, some of the major Visits India
highlights are as follows: (JAINA Executive By Dr. Sulekh Jain
Committee is now in the process of putting In December 1989 and January 1990, together plans to follow up on many of the
several members of the JAINA Execu- items.) tive Committee and Board of Directors visited
• Publication of Jain holy books in India. Among them were Sulekh Jain (JAINA
English president), Niranjan Shah (First V. P.), Prem
• Publication of introductory books on Jain and Manhor Sheth (V. P.), Prem Gada
Jainism (16-64 pages) in English (Director and Chairman JAINA
• Production of short video tapes on Library),Surender K. Jain (Associate
various topics of Jainism Editor, Jain Digest ), and Jagat Jain (Director).
Harvard University Jain Studies to The purpose of this team, amongst many
create things, was to meet prominent Jain leaders of
1) Permanent Jain Chair Jain organizations in India and thus develop a
2) Exchange of scholars common awareness alongside other programs
Visits of Jain Scholars/monks from and plans. The team individually and some
India to North America for times collectively visited many Jain places such
an extended period of time as Delhi, Jaipur, Ladnun, Ranakpur, Mt. Abu,
• Donation of Books for Ahmedabad, Palitana, Baroda, Bombay, Ban
1) JAINA Library galore, Srayan Belgola, Humcha and Moodbidri Jain Mutts, Dharmasthala, Mysore,
2) College and city libraries in the US Madras, Manddya, etc. In these cities/places,
and Canada the team met many Dharamgurus, Acharyas
• Coordination for collection of books (Acharya Tulsi Ji, Yuvacharya Mahapragya Ji,
in India and shipment Acharya Padam Sagar Ji) and prominent Jain
of books to JAINA Library leaders.
• Youth exchange programs Public meetings and functions were organ
• Jain pilgrimage and tours ized in Delhi, Jaipur, Ladnun, Bombay, Srayan
• Availability of films, audio and video Belgola, Moodbidri, Mysore, and Madras. The
tapes on Jainism from India president of JAINA and other members of the
• Large paintings of Bhagwan Mahavir North American team addressed many of these
and others on canvas for use by Jain gatherings and gave detailed descriptions of
Centers in North America. various Jain community activities in North
• Collection of news items for Jain America as well as an overview of their own
Digest roles. An overwhelming reception greeted the
• Availability of small scale models of team everywhere. Many discussions were
famous Jain temples in held on cooperative programs and areas of
India (to display in various Jain Cencommon interest.
ters) Daily newspapers such as 'GUJARAT
• Organizing workshops and seminars SAMACHAR' and 'TIMES OF INDIA' of
in North America and India Ahmedabad and Bombay gave coverage of
• Preparation of a uniform Jain these gatherings. The visit and the dialogue
calender which ensued proved very beneficial and pro
• Donation of small Jain idols and other vided an opportunity for understanding and
items of worship cooperation.
The discussion during the trip centered on the above list is quite long, but as progress is various topics. Many offers of help were re- made details regarding those items will be
ceived. It is not possible to give a complete published in the Jain Digest regularly.