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Jain Digest
SYNENNUNNI
CONTENTS
Special Thanks
This issue of the Jain Digest has been partly sponsored by the generous donations of the following individuals.
Vantage Point News and Announcements International News Outstanding Teacher JAINA Committees Education Conference Communication Barrier Calendar of Events Matrimonial Education Youth Meenakshi's Deeksha Vegetarianism Letters
vaaAN
Ravindra K. and Usha Jain,
Bedford, Texas XXXXXXXXXXXXX
7-8
9-10
I would like to thank Ravindra K. Jain, Bedford, TX, Urmish Mehta, Columbus, OH; and Steve Jain, Athens, OH for their help in proof-reading and Hope Tyburk, Publishing Editor, for a beautiful job.
Surender K. Jain
S
Vantage Point
Is JAINA meeting your expectations?
Sulekh C. Jain By Sulekh C. Jain
The charter of JAINA states that it is an association of associations and it should assist all member organizations to further Jainism and undertake and promote activities that are non-sectarian and benefit all or a majority of its members.
JAINA, against many odds, in its 11 years of existence has tried to fulfill this charter. Today, JAINA and the Jain community is well-recognized and respected not only in the U.S. and Canada but throughout the Jain world in India and other countries also. I came back recently from Singapore and India meeting prominent Jain leaders from Hong Kong, East Africa and Dubai. Also, I met hundreds of Jains, Jain leaders Sadhvis, Sadhus, Acharyas and attended many Jain functions and celebrations. Everywere I went and nearly everyone I met had a good image and vibrations about the
North American Jain community, youths and, by various local Jain centers) have become the national organization JAINA. During this regular features. We met at Pittsburgh in Septrip I also realized that as our visibility in tember 1991, Cleveland in Jan.1992 and plan creases so do our roles, responsibilities and to meet in Atlanta and other places this year. expectations.
5. Jain Pathshala workshop: A two In October 1991 issue of the Jain day Pathshala workshop was held in New York. Digest I wrote about the great summer of 1991. This was the first ever in North America. It was truly a great summer. After the sixth 6. Overseas Visits and Contacts: InterJAINA Convention in July 1991 at San Fran- national contacts and visits are beneficial in cisco, a new executive committee was elected. many ways. As mentioned earlier I visited Jain The task of this committee is not only to fulfill Sangh in Singapore, represented JAINA at JAINA's charter but also to meet the ever Meenakshi's Deeksha at Veerayatan, particiincreasing needs and expectations of the Jain pated in celebration at Jain Vishva Bharati community.
University, Ladnun, attended many public Jain The question, "is JAINA meeting your functions, addressed many meetings in India, expectations?" needs to be given a serious met many Jain scholars and leaders, gave an consideration. In this issue of the Jain Digest, overview of Jains in North America to the Vice let me attempt briefly to give you some insight. President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Let you be the judge and decide what we and met Jain leaders from Hong Kong, Dubai together you and JAINA) can and should do. and East Africa. In addition, we maintain regu
1. Personal visits to various Jain cen- lar contacts with the Jains in the United Kingters: Since July 1991 myself, Dr. Jagat Jain and dom. Recently other members of JAINA Exother members of the JAINA Executive have ecutive also visited India for the same mission. visited Jain centers in Ottawa, Toronto, Seattle, 7. Religious Conference: JAINA was Portland, Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, well represented at Religious Pluralism ConNew York, Boston, Siddhachalam, Buffalo, ference at Harvard University in October 1991. Cincinnati/Dayton, Syracuse, Columbus, Roch- 8. Press/ Media Coverage: Through ester, Los Angeles, etc. for exchange of ideas the efforts of several individuals we (Jain Comand to improve communication.
munity) have been getting good media cover2. Division of responsibilities: To be age in North America as well as in India. responsive to your needs, JAINA Executive
What is your role? Communicahas divided its responsibilities.
tion is a two way street. We need to hear 3. JAINA National Committees: To from you more often. Please call or write to, increase the scope and improve the quality of JAINA Executive, chairmen of various comactivities, JAINA has now appointed 30 na- mittees and your own directors of JAINA. tional committees.
We need more participation. Many commit4. JAINA Executive Meetings: To im- tees need more participation. Let us keep the prove our workings JAINA executive (hosted momentum going. Let us participate and
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