Jain Digest 1993 07

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

Page 28

Jain Digest
many, many long hours. You saw the results. Being there was just great for all of us. JAINA and the Jain community are grateful to your Jain center for this great effort and achievement. On my behalf, the JAINA Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and many Jain centers, I convey our sincere thanks for a job well done. This convention exceeded many of our expectations.
Please write to us...
Many of you attended the 7th JAINA Convention in Pittsburgh. Please write to the Jain Digest in the form of a letter to the editor regarding your comments, observations, experiences, constructive criticism and suggestions for improvements for future JAINA conventions.
Your letters will be published in following issues of the Jain Digest.
scholars in North America who are willing to give up their worldly avocations and possessions for their own spiritual upliftment and also to serve the Jain community in North America in promotion of Jainism and in the education of our youths. Some of these people will need financial and organizational support in order to utilize their services properly and fruitfully. A committee of Dr. Vinay Jain of Boston (Chair), Dr. Manoj Dharamsi of Washington, D.C and Mr. Praful Shah of Toronto was formed. The charter of this committee is: identify such scholars; define their roles and establish guidelines; define financial needs, budgets and plans, and raise/create funds and endorsements to meet these needs.
With my best regards. Thankingly, Sulekh C. Jain President, JAINA
Resolutions, Discussions, Decisions at the 7th JAINA Convention
Feedback from JAINA directors and Jain Center presidents
JAINA Board of Directors discussed and/or approved the following:
(1) The Board of Directors agree in principle that the time has come for the formation of World Federation of Jain Associations and therefore directed the JAINA Executive Committee to start a dialogue with other national Jain organizations (in India and other countries) and explore the feasibility of forming such an organization.
(2) Jain youths are our future and JAINA should hold a national youth convention once every two years. This convention should be held in every even calendar year. It is planned to hold the first such stand alone JAINA Youth Convention in the first weekend of July 1994. The next such conventions will be held in 1996, 1998, etc.
(3) In North America, we must strive to maintain the non-sectarian structure of our Jain temples. JAINA's Temple Guideline Committee was asked to establish proper guidelines and provide needed assistance to various Jain centers whenever feasible.
(4) Now and in the future, there are and will be several Jain
Jain center presidents and JAINA Board of Directors were asked to give feedback and their views regarding their vision and what JAINA should do during the next five years or so. At the directors meetings on July 2,3 and 4, 1993 at the 7th JAINA Convention, nearly 40 people expressed their views. Here is a brief summary of their thoughts and feedback:
JAINA should establish shortterm and long-term goals.JAINA should promote Jain centers in establishment, organization and programming Financial soundness of JAINA is important. The exhibition by Boston Jain Center was a great learning experience. Each Jain center should take similar measures or at least enlist one project that will benefit the entire Jain community in North America Publicity should be organized properly.We must reach out and establish dialogue and working relationships with other non-Jain organizations that are compatible with Jain philosophy.JAINA needs a permanent place and administrative office.JAINA Board of Direc
tors should be equally divided between males, females, adults and youths. We must emphasize youths and give reigns to them.We must unite so as not to duplicate our resources. Prepare guidelines for monks and lay persons, visiting scholars and pathshalas Organize a regular, stand alone youth camp • Develop common and comprehensive educational material.Use domestic resources of Jain scholars and teachers. Teach our youths through audio-visual material.Create/produce good quality videos. In addition to the JAINA Convention once every two years, JAINA should organize several regional conventions every year.Collaborate and work with vegetarian and animal welfare organizations and movements • There should be a national examination in Jain education for youths.Youths and women should be on the JAINA Executive Committee. Teach and practicenonsectarian Jainism Organize tomorrow's leadership development seminars Pathshala books and material from grades 1-12 should be provided free of charge to each family. Feed and serve the hungry and needy.Produce a feature film on Lord Mahavir Adults need to learn more about Jainism.Set up a scholarship and awards fund for Jain education for our youths.Use mass media (TV, radio, etc.) on weekends for propagation of Jain principles. Invite articles about JAINA Convention experience for publication in the Jain Digest.Our temples should be non-sectarian, give total Jain outlook and meet needs of the youths.Jains should remain united but not isolated. Open
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