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DIGEST
October 24, 1990 in London, U.K.
Sulekh Jain
Cincinnati, Ohio NOTE: This lecture was given by Dr. Sulekh Jain in London (U.K.) October 24, 1990 at the release of Jain Declaration on Nature.
JAIN together and are bound in a physical as well as metaphysical relationship. Life is viewed as a gift of togetherness, accommodation, and assistance in a universe teeming with interdependent constituents.
Simply put together, minimum use of and minimum harmand disturbance to earth, air, fire, water, and vegetation is ecology. Essentially this is what Jainism teaches us to practice in our daily lives. Jains as producers and providers of goods and services, have a special social responsibility to ecology and preservation of the environment. Jainism teaches
ism teaches ecology in a real sense of the word in all our own deeds and actions in daily living which includes our professions and businesses as well.
On October 23, 1990, Jain leaders and scholars from four continents and all four sects visited Buckingham Palace to present H.R.H., the Duke of Edinburgh, International President of W.W.F.(World Wide Fund for Nature), with the Jain Declaration on Nature. Jainism is the Eight faith in the alliance on preservation of Nature. Other faiths belonging the Network(under W.W.F.) include Bahai faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. In this meeting with Prince Philip, the Jain leaders discussed the strong ecological teachings of the Jain faith, which are based on the cornerstone belief 'AHIMSA PARMO DHARMAH', non-violence is the supreme religion. In this meeting. Jain leaders also explained how these teachings influence Jain daily life leading to vegetarianism, respect for all forms of life, and constant care in all activity to avoid inadvertently harming others.
This meeting also outlined the environmental initiatives(inspired by Jain beliefs) that will be launched by the Jain Community as a member of the W.W.F.network.
A book, The Jain Declaration on Nature was also published and presented to Prince Philip. Copies of this book are being reprinted by JAINA and will shortly to the readers of Jain Digest. This is a historical document, and we hope fellow Jains will take time to read this document.
Now, throughout the world, as the self-centered '80s give way to the earth-centered '90s, environmentalism should be our watchword. Minimum use of resources, reducing waste, recycling and conservation are everyone's business. True to our belief and culture, let every Jain take a leading role in this direction.
Sulekh C. Jain President, JAINA Federation of North America
Jain Delegate to Buckingham Palace
Jaijinendra Brothers and Sisters:
The year was 1893 (97 years ago) when on the insistence of a Jain Acharya, a Jain scholar left India and along with Swami Vivekananda set foot on the North American continent and delivered the address on Jainism at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His name was Shri Virchand Bhai Gandhi. His many lectures were very widely covered in American newspapers across the country.
The year is 1966. A young Jain is planning to leave India for higher education. He is worried and scared. He is not only thinking of his parents and relatives whom he will be saying good-bye but is also worried about going to an unfamiliar place, about his food habits, getting pure vegetarian meals, about not seeing the Jain monks Sadhus, Sadhavis and Jain temples, aboutobserving Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan and Samvats are about doing Samayk or about reciting Namokar Mantra or the opportunity to listen to lectures on Jainism Ahimsa and Anekantavada. That young man, brothers and sisters, in 1966 was yours truly-Sulekh Jain.
The date is October 23, 1990, when a delegation of distinguished Jains not only from India but also from the U.S.A., Canada, Kenya, Singapore, Belgium, France and, of course, U.K., visit Buckingham Place and there with the Duke of Edinburgh, for the first time there, Namakar Mantra is chanted in a very melodious voice by Respected Soniji and in the end we adjourn our meeting with Khame Mi Savva Jiva.
Brothers and sisters, much has changed between 1893 and 1990. Let me just give you an account of the North American scene. During the last 25 years particularly, many Jains came and settled in the U.S.A. and Canada. They came from India and East Africa. Out of an estimated 100,000 Jain living outside India, a significantly large number, about 35,000 to 40,000 live in North America alone. Most of these people are highly educated professionals such as engineers, medical doctors, professors and accountants. There are now quite a few businessmen. You will be glad to know that more than 90% of the trade in small diamonds and precious stones in the U.S.A. is in the hands of Jains.
Now there are about 60 Jain organizations in the U.S.A. and Canada, particularly in every major city. We celebrate all major functions and do regular poojas. Do you know how many Jain temples or places of Worship there are in North America? Brothers and sisters, that number is 18 and this number is growing.
With the exception of the Jain Center of New York which was established in the mid-1960s, the other Jain cen
WATCH YOUR MAIL FOR YOUR
OWN FREE COPY OF THE JAIN DECLARATION ON NATURE, PRESENTED TO HRH PRINCE PHILIP
ONOCT 23, 1990 IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
THIS IS A 15-PAGE PAMPHLET PREPARED BY
DR. L. M.SINGHYI.
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