Jain Digest 1993 07

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

Page 23

Jain Digest
The success of the 7th JAINA Convention - A profile
Editor's Note: In preparing I had the assistance of Dr. Mohan Lal Sharma (Slippery Rock, PA), Dr. Mahendra Dosi (Atlanta), Dr. Surendra Sethi, Dr. Sulekh Jain, Dr. Jagat P. Jain, and Ajit Jain's coverage in India Abroad (July 9, 1993)
Over 6000 people from USA, Canada, India, and Europe scanned their past, took pride in their present collective identity, and projected their diaspora-oriented community during JAINA's 7th Biennial Convention held in Pittsburgh from July 2-4, 1993. The conference theme was "Jainism: Past, Present and Future." Many dignitaries from USA and abroad participated in the convention.
Likewise in the 6th JAINA Convention at Stanford - July 1991, all the halls and conference rooms at the Monroeville ExpoMart were named as follows during the days marking the 7th JAINA Convention. MAINHALL-Rsabha Hall, OTHER HALLS - Bahubali Hall, Gautama Hall, Umaswami Hall, Bhadrabahu Hall, V.R. Gandhi Hall, Siddachalam Hall, and Kundakunda Hall.
In his address as a chief guest, Mr. Sunderlal Patwa, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh told the audience how proud he feels being a Jain and reminded us that Jain gurus devote their whole life in search of eternal truth. U.S. Rep. William J. Coyne, Democrat from Pittsburgh, applauded the Jain philosophy of nonviolence. Mayor Thomas Schuergler talked about the compassion and spiritualism of Jains. The keynote was given by Dr. Kumarpal Desai, a Jain scholar and journalist from Ahmedabad, on the value and heritage of Jain religion. While outlining the tremendous accomplishments of the Jain community in North America, Dr. Sulekh Jain, in his presidential address, un
veiled his plans to form a World Council of Jains. Swami Chidanandji and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji gave their blessings in the Opening Ceremony.
Michael Tobias, a noted Jain scholar, writer and director for the movie Ahinsa, moderated two seminars: (1) Jainism and Ecology, (2) Jainism and Ahinsa. Governor Jerry Brown spoke on "The role of nonviolence in today's political arena. Other speakers included Dr. Atul Shah, Dr. Jagdish Shah, Dr. David Rothenberg, Mr. Peter Gerard, Dr. Michael Fox, Mr. Nick Stonnington, Mr. Robert Radin, Irena Upenieks, and Acharya Sushil Kumarji.
Dr. Tansukh Salgia moderated the seminar on "Jainism: The Past." The speakers included Dr. Noel King, Dr. Kumarpal Desai, Bhattarak Shri Charukirtiji and Chandrakant Shah. Dr. Surender K. Jain moderated the seminar on Jains in "North America and their Identity." The participants included Dr. Surinder Gambhir, Dr. Sivaram Srikandath, Dr. John Cort, and Sandeep Punater. The seminars and discussions were attended by a large audience who asked inquisitive questions.
Dr. Bruce Constain (Balbhadra) gave an interesting talk on "The Basics of Jainism." Dr. Prem Gada gave a lively pictorial discussion of Jainism. Dr. Cromwell Crawford spoke on the teaching of Jainism in American universities, and Dr. Daniel Gomez-Ibanez talked about the World Parliament of Religions with special reference to Jainism. Jugna Shah and Gina Shah moderated a panel discussion on "Speaking the unspeakable for women of the age of 15 or older." Anish Shah and Purvi Kamdar gave a talk on Mahavir. Reality of Ahinsa in relation to treatment of women and Ahinsa in Daily Life were, among others, some of the topics, for panel discussions participated by Dr. Shashi Jain, Dr. Shamita Dasgupta, Narendra Sheth, Manoj Jain, Sonal Sheth, Saurabh Dalal, Mona Shah, Mulin Shah, Gurudev
Chitrabhanuji, and several others.
Religious discourses were given by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Acharya Sushil Kumarji, Shri Bandhu Triputiji, Saman Sthit Pragyaji, Saman Shrut Pragyaji, Samani Mangal Pragyaji, Samani Charitra Pragyaji, Bhattarak Shri Charukirtiji, Shri Devendra Kirtiji, Muni Roop Chanji, Muni Manak Chandji, Dinesh Muni, Vijay Muni, Shri Laxmisenji, Swami Chidanandji, Bhahamcharinis Prabha Jain, Meena Jain, Dr. Sneha Jain. Other speakers included ShriJ.K.Jain, member Rajya Sabha, (India), Mr. Nemu Chandaria (London), Mr. & Mrs. Pierre, Amiel (France), Dr. Pratapditya Pal, Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Dr. Daniel GomezIbanez, Dr. Hukam Chand Bharill, Dr. Bhagwan Singh, Mr. C.R. Bhansali, Pandit Khem Chand, Devender K. Jain, Mr. A.P. Jain, Mr. Satish Jain, Mr. R.P. Jain, Mr. Narendra Sheth, Dr. Tansukh Salgia, Dr. Sulekh C. Jain, Dr. Jagat P. Jain, Dr. Prem C. Gada, Dr. Dhiraj Shah, etc.
Another important feature of the convention was the panel discussion on "Marriage: Past, Present, and Future" moderated by F.J. Dalal. This event like many others attracted a large crowd of all ages. There were several well attended youth programs. Topics included Yoga, Samayak, Evolution of Values, Beliefs, and Vegetarianism.
During the Director's meeting on July 3, elections were held under the chairmanship of Dr. Vinay Jain and new executive committee was elected. Dr. Jagat P. Jain was elected President and Dr. Manibhai Mehta was elected First Vice President. Six regional Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer were also elected (See the back of front cover for the names of the new Executive Committee members).
The cultural programs, mostly put together by Jain Centers, made evenings relaxing. Some details on the various items presented are given in the letters to the editor.
The closing ceremony was pre
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