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Jain Digest
Contents
Where do we go from here? by Dr. Sulekh C. Jain
Dr. Sulekh C. Jain
From The Editor Vantage Point From Dr. Sulekh C. Jain News and Announcements Center News Youth Corner Letters to the Editor Matrimonials Late News Pratishtha News
Special Section
7th Biennial JAINA Convention
International News
From The Editor
Vantage Point
President's Message
This summer for the Jain community in North America has been an historic summer with many events packed in a period of five months. We have had idol pratishthas in six temples, a great JAINA convention and the largest and most visible participation of Jain scholars and leaders in the centennial celebration of Parliament of Worlds' Religions. Now, the gathering of 6,000 plus Jains from all corners of North America is becoming an accepted fact.
Within a span of just five days, more than 6,000 Jains came to attend the Jain Temple Pratishtha in Chicago and JAINA convention in Pittsburgh. What was even more remarkable is that more than 2,000 youths attended the JAINA convention.
JAINA and Jain communities are doing well and are positioned to do even better; not because of some sophisticated strategy or some miraculous or divine power, but we are doing well because of our character and commitment. Ours is a community of resources, rich traditions and affluence. We have great leadership in the community and many committed people doing many right things. With all dynamism, growth and success, again the question must be asked, "Where do we go from here?"
There are changes all around us with the advancement of science, technology, communication and travel. The world has now become a global village. If the beginning of this decade is any indication, the next century (which is just around the corner) will shape up to be a time of unusual challenges and opportunities for all of us. Because of continued on page 19 - From Here?
After having been blessed by monks, gurus, and spiritual leaders; after being recognized as true believers of non-violence and Anekantvad by both scholars and politicians at the recent JAINA convention, we truly feel encouraged.
We must move ahead with greater determination and strength towards our goals to promote our principles and keep our cultural identity while living outside India. The idea presented by the outgoing president Dr. Sulekh Jain to have a World Council of Jains will further strengthen our entity.
Jain Digest, which has been serving our community, will continue doing so with greater effort and improvement. Weintend to still publish four issues per year but these will now appear in February, May, August and November. This change in publication will enable us to cover news about the July conventions and other important festivals which take place mainly in April and September. continued on page 17 - Editorial
Dr. Jagat P. Jain, President of JAINA
I feel highly thankful to the members of the Board of Directors of JAINA for reposing their confidence in me by electing me as the fifth president of JAINA. As it stands today,JAINA is the result of the blessings of all our spiritual leaders, especially Acharya Sushil Kumarji and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, and the foresightedness of our social/religious activists like the four prior presidents.
JAINA is an organization of organizations - a sangh of sanghs and therefore represents all the Jains living in North America. I visualize JAINA playing a dominant role in the creation of a united Jain community in North America, educated continued on page 17 - Vantage Point
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