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Contents
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Headquarter News............... Regional News........
5
Other Organization's News..... 12 Publication Fund..................... 14. New Life Members......... 14 Tribute to Sushil Muniji.......... 15 Committee News.......................19. International News................ New Trustees
Letters to the Editor...................24
Matrimonials.....................
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.23
29
31
Happy Occasions................. 1995 Convention Update 32
From the Editor
On April 22, 1994, Acharya Shree Sushil Kumar Ji, who made Siddhachalam a teerth for Jains, passed away. Jain Centers throughout North America held meetings to pay tributes to him as he touched many of us through his personal charm and his noble deeds. For JAINA, he, along with Gurudev Chitrabhanu Ji, became one of the spiritual founding fathers. This Shraddhanjali issue of Jain Digest includes personal reflections of Jains from all walks of life. These remembrances were complied by Hansa Varia, Jadavji Kenya, Anant Jain, and Atul Khara. The accompanying special commemorative issue was put together by International Mahavir Jain Mission, Siddhachalam.
The primary objective of Jain Digest is to inform us of activities of Jain communities throughout North America. The magazine reports on activities of JAINA head
June 1994
Jain Education International 2010_02
President's Message
The sudden demise of His Holiness Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji has struck a severe blow to every believer of non-violence, Jains throughout the world and in particular, every Jain Community in North America. Although he is no longer with us his spiritual force lives on and accompanies us with confidence, charging us with the task of fulfilling the dream of spreading the principles of non-violence and anekantwad (multiplicity of views) as taught to us by Lord Mahavir and the other Tirthankers. Guruji, as he was affectionately called by his devotees, was a spiritual force behind JAINA, an organization that serves all Jains in North America. His ceaseless efforts to help us maintain our religious heritage and organize ourselves locally, nationally and internationally will be deeply missed.
He was a great visionary, an Apostle of Peace and a torch bearer for the principles of Jainism. He recognized the needs of today's changing world and gave us Siddhachalam, the first Jain Teerth (pilgram place) outside of India which plays a major role in spreading the principles of Jainism.
His absence will be profoundly felt, especially at the first Young Jains of America Covention in Chicago this July. Everyone has been eagerly waiting for this event. Our children have done an excellent job in organizing it. The convention's theme, Religion and Culture-Learning for Tomorrow reflects our children's awareness of the importance that the principles of Jainism will hold in their future and their readiness to pick up that torch and carry it forward. I am confident that this convention will become a memorable memorial to that spirit and the future of Jainism in North America.
JAI JINENDRA.
Jagat Jain, President
Editor in Chief Harshad Shah
quarters and its various committees along R.E.-Midwest, Feature Articles
Manubhai Doshi
with news of interest from overseas within its space constraint. Fresh ideas reports on activities of youths including Young Jains of America. Jain Digest is medium through which we can share our happy news and our views on Jainism and the activities of JAINA. The Matrimonial section, put together by Hasmukh Shah, certainly has a
Continued on page 30.
Meet the Editors of JAINA
R.E.-West Chandrakant Parekh
Publishing Editor John D'Arcangelo
Not shown: R.E. Southeast,
JAIN DIGEST For Private & Personal Use Only
R.E.-Northeast Vinay Vakani
Committees Manoj Dharamsi Surendra Shah: Youth Section, Samir Mehta
CD
R.E.-Canada Mchendra Mehta
R.E.-Southwest Jadavji Kenia
Matrimonials Hasmukh Shah
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