Jain Digest 1992 10 Vol 19 No 04

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

Page 7

News and Announcements
Award given for supervising project
An Indian American has won an award for supervising the construction of a $30 million high-tech facility that will be used to build "advanced solid rocket motors" for United States space shuttles.
K.C. Jain, engineering manager and project director for John Brown E&C of Mount Vernon, Indiana, was honored for the "project of the year" by the Indiana branch of the American Society of Civil Engineering. (From India Abroad.) Author honored for technical book
Dr. Rajendra Jain, a senior consulting engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation in Littleton, Massachusetts, one of the world's largest computer companies, has won an award for his 1991 book, The Art of Computer Systems Performance.
Dr. Jain is originally from Madhya Pradesh.
Co-sponsored by Citizen American Corporation and the Computer Press Association, the awards single out outstanding work by journalists and authors covering the high technology industry. Jain's book was published by John Wiley and Sons, New York. Impact of Jainism at the Earth Summit in Brazil by Dr. Satish Nayak, St. Louis, MO
The largest ever International Conference sponsored by the United Nations took place at the Riocentro in Rio de Janiero, Brazil from June 3-14, 1992. Presidents and Prime Ministers of over 120 countries participated in it. The Earth Parliamentary Summit was held from June 5-7 under the auspices of the Global Forum of
Jain Digest Parliamentarians and spiritual leaders in Brazil's National Assembly. A Sacred Earth Gathering of religious leaders and thinkers from all over the world also held its three day session from May 27-30 at the Monastery "Casa de Retiros Padre Achiefa."
Acharya Sushil Kumarji was specially invited to these three major conferences. He responded to the opportunity to propagate the principles of the Jain religion and its deeply compassionate philosophy of non-violence and "Live and let live" to the world community.
People were attracted towards the concept of "Paraspar Upgraho Jeevanam" since it convinced them that only by restoring harmony and equilibrium between humanity, nature and other living things in an atmosphere of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Aparigraha (nonpossession) could they hope to bring back the universal forces to a state of mutual interdependence.
The Sacred Earth Declaration was drafted by Dr.Narendra Jain. The declaration contains the following specific references to Jain principles: "We believe in the sanctity and the integrity of all life forms. We affirm the principles of peace and nonviolence in governing human behavior towards one another and all life. We view ecological disruption as violent intervention into the web of life."
Acharyaji delivered two important speeches on the Jain religion at the Earth Summit. At the Global Hearts Convention at Flamingo Park, Acharya Sushil Kumarji spoke on the need for practicing non-violence as the only way for humanity.
The Brazilian community organized special speeches by him at the Aurobindo Society Hall, the Yoga Institute and the Atmacharya Ashram (Assocido-AoGhana Mandiram). The audience consisted of Brazilians interested in Indian philosophy and culture. Each speech was preceded by the chanting of the Namokar Mantra and Om, and the audience joined in with devotion and enthusiasm.
Encouraged by the positive
responses of people, institutions and the media, Acharyaji announced the launching at Rio of a World Movement of Non-violence for peace and the environment. The announcement was first made in the presence of Mr. Maurice Strong, Secretary General of the Earth Summit, who described it as a welcome proposal.
Acharya Sushil Kumarji also met with the Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, as well as with leaders from many countries. These meetings helped focus world attention at the Summit level of the relevance of the tenets of Jainism to the current world situation and the timing of the launching of world movement on non-violence as well as the establishment of an International University for Nonviolence. Immediately prior to going to Rio de Janiero, Acharyaji, accompanied by Ambassador Dr. Narendra Jain, visited the U.N. University for Peace at Costa Rica for establishing a link between it and the International University for Nonviolence (to be started) at Siddhachalam. Talks with Mr. R. Carazo, President of the University, Mr. Robert Muller, Chancellor of the University, and Dr. Moultava of Spain, Director of the University, were fruitful and all three confirmed in writing their desire to cooperate and accept the new University for Nonviolence as a sister institution. Thus, the two Universities will become the radiating nuclei for the Global Movement of Non-violence.
It was a historic step taken at Rio providing the Jain religion with a global platform for the first time in history. It was also a unique opportunity to consolidate the efforts and the enthusiasm of the Jain community in India and abroad to spread the teachings of Jainism in terms of it being a universal philosophy. Michami Dukkadan cards
Beautifully and thoughtfully designed michami dukkadan cards are available now. If interested call Kishore Parekh at (513) 793-2679.