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JAIN DIGEST
preservation of nature. In all of these events, North American Jain community was well-represented by participants from Boston, Toronto, Cincinnati/Dayton, and Los Angeles. My wife and I represented JAINA.
For Jains all over the world, this was really a historical event not only in the festivities and media coverage (more than 70 leading newspapers and magazines in India, U.K., U.S.A., radio coverage on BBC, LBC and RISE Radio, etc.) but also in the re-emphasis of our ideals and principles to the preservation of our environment and that Jainism and nature cannot be separated.
From this visit, exchange of views, and discussions with other world Jain leaders, I came back with an impression that the world Jain Community holds the Noth American Jain Community in high esteem. The basis for this impression is that Jains in North America are educated, mature, dynamic, and progressive. Jains here are organized without any bias or classification of language, sect, religion, profession or business. We are all followers of Lord Mahavir and Namokar Mantara and Jain is our only identity.
Because of this unique nature of our Jain Centers, the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) is also unique. In my opinion, a Jain organization of this type does not exist in any other country, It was the foresight of several Jain leaders ten years ago that such an institution was conceived, planned, and created. I felt proud of such observations and you should be too.
In the last issue of the Jain Digest, Dr. D.C. Jain, editor of the Jain Study Circular made an appeal for Jain unity. Such an appeal is timely. Dr. Jain made many concrete suggestions. As mentioned earlier, Jain centers in North America represent all Jains without regard to any sect, region, province, language, way of worship, caste, profession or business. To show the rest of the world we really practice what we preach, let us celebrate Paryushan Parva- from now on for ten days instead of eight Such a tradition, I hope, will be liked and welcomed by all the Jains here.
During the last three months, in addition to the U.K. trip, I have been to Jain Centers in St. Louis, Orlando, Day
tona Beach, Washington D.C., Houston, and Lubbock, TX. In Military draft
Dear Editor:
Lubbock, Dr. Premchand Gada with his dedication and devotion has established a fine and unique Jain Library. A visit to this library is an eye-opener and also a pleasant experience. In a few years (with Dr. Gada's vision) this Jain library will be the one we can all be proud of. See what a differnce an individual can make. My thanks to Dr. Gada. We need more of such efforts and people.
The next JAINA Convention is in San Francisco. Hopefully, the youth leaders organizers are working hard to get all youths involved and thus make a real beginning in that direction. A majority of the agenda/program is planned to be by, of, and for youths. About 25 Jain youths are coming from the U.K. to participate. Let us welcome them. I also ask all of you to encourage your sons and daughters to attend this convention. I guarantee they will enjoy and appreciate it and in return you will feel elated too.
JaiJianendra.
Jain Education International
Letters to the Editor
Gandhi's birthday
Dear Editor:
Mahatma Gandhi, the world-renowned practitioner of Jain principles, needs to be recognized by Jains around the world. by celebrating his birthday, Oct. 2, as "AHISMA DAY" and lead the suffering world on the path of peace. Violence is the order of the day at present in the world, particularly in the Middle East between Arabs and Arabs, and Arabs and Israeli Jews; in India between Hindus and Sikhs, and Hindus and Muslims; and in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Fundamental principles of Jainism can save the world from bloodshed and killing of innocent human beings at the hands of their fanatic brothers. Mahatma Gandhi is very well-known because of his follower Martin Luther King, Jr., the movie "Gandhi" and from being considered the "Father of India" as he successfully led the non-violent freedom movement.
RAYCHANDBHAI (RAJ CHANDRA), the Jain Saint, was one of his four Gurus. His autobiography, "My Experiments with Truth" is a bible for those who want to practice Jain principles in every sphere of life- political, social, educational and economic. Examples of the shining life of Gandhi include Vegetarianism, Brahmacharya (celibacy), fasting, non-possession (half-naked Fakir), Satyagraha, equality of men and women by bringing women into the the forefront of the freedom movement and equality of all castes by living among the Harijans (low-caste Hindus).
In view of the above, I urge that a vigorous movement must be led by Jain leaders and organizations around the world for celebrating his birthday as a day of nonviolence.
F.J. Dalal
As the war is being fought in the desert of the Arabian Penisula and over 500,000 young Americans in their teens and twenties are fighting in the heat of the Saudi Desert, I am reminded of the summer of 1970, when I had just migrated to this country from India. Those were the days when the Vietnam War was at its peak, and the students protesting the war had been shot by the National Gurad on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio. I was living in nearby Cleveland, Ohio, and was doing my medical internship at the Euclid General Hospital.
I was asked to register with the U.S. military, although my upbringing as Jain was against any kind of violence. The military had never heard of the Jain religion and would not listen to my protests.
A lawyer advised me to appeal the Selective Service's (the U.S. recruiting agency for the military) decision on the basis of my religion and ask for the conscientious objector status, which allows for exemption from military service.
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