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JAINA?", by a majority opinion is abig YES. Here in North America, we are living in an environment which is far different than that of India. Here, for social, political and religious reasons, we need one strong body to represent all Jains - whatever its name may be - JAINA or something else. In spite of differences (similar to ours), many major religions have such organizations. In North America, there is an American Buddhist Congress, Islamic Society of North America, World Council of Churches and national organizations of Jews, Sikhs, and B'hais, etc. We were recently told that there are 347 Buddhist temples in the city of Los Angeles alone (imagine how many sects, countries and languages) yet they are united under one national organization.
JAINA's role is to undertake activities that are non-sectarian and benefit all or more than one Jain center. Recently, on April 15, 1992, there was indiscriminate police firing on a peaceful Mahavir Jayanti procession in Hyderabad, India. JAINA sent a strong letter of protest to the Home Minister of India against this brutality. As a national organization, it has some weight. There are many such instances where the voice of a national organization is heard or heeded.
JAINA's structure is very democratic with fair representation by all member organizations. All office bearers are democratically elected for two years (not for life) and are thus replaceable. Through many national committees, there is a wider participation and JAINA has become and is trying even harder to be a broad based organization. There are now greater opportunities to participate and make a difference.
No one from this write-up should assume or draw conclusions that JAINA is in danger and ready to fold its tent. The purpose of this writeup is to have frank and open dialogue. there are questions that must be answered. Here I have tried to make just that attempt.
JAINA needs to be made stronger and truly representative of
Jain Education International 2010_02
Jain Digest
Seventh Biennial JAINA Convention Monroeville (Pittsburgh),PA July 2-4, 1993.
Site: Expo-Mart, Monroeville, PA Theme: Jainism: Past, Present, and Future
Program plans are being finalized. If you plan to volunteer or seek information related to the convention, please contact:
Vinod Doshi, 140 Penn Lear Dr., Monroeville, PA 15146, (412) 856-9235, or Dr. Surendra K. Sethi, Program Committee Chair, (412) 283-8822.
Various dignitaries, Jain monks, scholars, and young Jains from around the world are expected to attend. All are cordially invited.
all Jains in North America. We need suggestions and ideas for long range planning. Ask yourself what you are doing to make the Jain community and JAINA stronger. What is your role in this new experiment? I also ask for more participation, support and resources from the Jain community, Jain centers, their presidents, directors and office bearers. JAINA will be what you want it to be. If you like what is going on, please support it and if you don't like something, please change it but do not ignore or show indifference.
My dream like other major religions is to see someday, one strong world body like World Council of Jains. Let us start here in North America. Jai Jinendra.
I wish to thank Ravindra K. Jain and Suneel Jain, Bedford, Texas for their suggestions and kind assistance in proof-reading. Thanks to Sam McCoy and John Zimmerer for the beautiful job. Editor-in-Chief
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News and Announcements
Jain Center of Northern California
Bay-Area Jains celebrated the 2590th birthday of Bhagwan Mahavir on April 18, 1992 at the Fremont Hindu Temple, sponsored by Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC). Four hundred persons attended the fivehour festivities which featured Bhadraben Shah, a Jain scholar, teacher, and Sadhvi-aspirant. Bhadraben was invited by the JCNC and was sponsored by her brother, Girish Shah, of Campbell, CA.
The festivities began with traditional Snatra Puja conducted by Ranjanben, Natubhai, Pratibhaben, Purnima, and Manhar Shah, which was followed by bhajans. "Bhadraben took the mystery out of numerous Jain Agams," says Hasmukh Shah, Presi
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