Jain Digest 1998 04

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

Page 29

Jain Education Intemational
CONVENTION KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Our six keynote speakers represent a wide variety of Jain knowledge and perspectives. All are renowned for not only their speaking ability, but also their presentation experience with the younger generation and with topics that Young Jains face everyday. Keynote speakers will not only take part in specific lectures, but also will participate in some of the workshops, seminars, and panel discussions. In addition, speakers will be available during break times to personally talk with interested youth. This variety of activities will allow participants to listen and interact with all of our distinguished speakers.
Balabhadraji (Bruce Costain)
Bruce Costain received his Bachelor in Education, Masters in Art, and a Ph.D., and since 1974, he has practiced the art of meditation. During his studies of Eastern Philosophy, he was introduced to Jainism. Further awareness of Jainism and its principles influenced him to become a vegetarian, In 1985, Bruce Costain adopted the name Balabhadra and became an "Anuvrati" (took the five minor vows of a Jain layperson). To better understand the religion, Balabhadraji traveled to India to live and learn. Currently residing in Toronto, Canada, Balabhadraji is actively involved in teaching Pathshala classes. He has worked extensively with Jain youth for several years providing a unique perspective to the religion that young lains in the west can relate to.
Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah is an African poet who is deeply influenced by lain philosophy. He was asked to join the Oxford University Faculty when he was of thirty, and continues teaching there today. He is a noted author, having written several books. His topic of presentation will cover poverty, the environment, and consumers. Mr. Zephaniah will discuss the interrelation of these issues, and how we all can play a key roll in combating the negative causes and effects.
Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji
Gurudev, founder of the Jain Meditation International Center in New York, was a lain sadhu for 28 years. During that period, he spent five years in silence and meditation in India. He is the author of more than twenty-five books, all of which reflect his message of world peace and non-violence. A mesmerizing orator, Gurudev has led numerous retreats, workshops, and seminars throughout his life. He became the first Jain sadhu to travel out of India over 25 years ago, and since that time has worked closely with YJA, JAINA, the World Fellowship of Religions, and other organizations in North America.
Dr. Cromwell Crawford
Professor Cromwell Crawford teaches Religion at the University of Hawaii. A specialist in Indian Studies, he leads courses in Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Medicine in World Religions. He has been published widely in the areas of Comparative Ethics and Bioethics, with a focus on Hinduism. His most recent book is Dilemmas of Life and Death, Hindu Ethics in a North American Context (State University of New York, 1996). A frequent speaker at national and international conferences, professor Crawford has been an early proponent of East-West dialogue. In his former capacity as Director of South Asian Studies, University of Hawaii, he had instituted various forums for the academic development of Jain Studies, and has taken an active interest in the spread of jain scholarship in North America over the past five years. Dr. Cromwell Crawford was born in Jhansi, his ancestors having come to India as Civil Servants in 1761. In his book on Ram Mohan Roy he describes the ferment created by this encounter of contrasting cultures.
Sadhvi Shilapiji
This young student took her diksha five years ago. She obtained her Masters degree at the London School of Economics and is currently enrolled at King's College, University of London, United Kingdom. Sadhviji brings a unique mix to young Jains, blending her religious and scriptural studies with a western system of research. She is an ideal ambassador of the Jain message to younger, English- speaking Jains. In fact, she is well-conversant in many languages. Currently, Sadhviji spends time between London and Veerayatan, India.
Professor Janice Leoshko
Janice Leoshko is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She primarily deals with studies related to South Asian Art and has a special interest in lain Art. On this specialized area, she has been published as a renowned expert in the artwork of South Asia.
Young Jains of America
Federation of Jain Associations in North America A Non-Profit Tax Exempt Religious Organization. IRS Code Section 501(c)(3) € 54.1280028
yja@joyce.eng.yale.edu . http://www.yale.edu/yja/
NON-VIOLENCE परस्परोपग्रहो जीतानाम्
Regional Coordinators
Mid Atlantic Gaurav Kapadia (516) 829-3316 gauravk@aol.com
Anish Sheth
(401) 274-8757 anish_sheth@brown.edu
Northeast Paulomi Gudka
(416) 299-3627 p.gudka@utoronto.ca
Southeast Dina Mchta
(919) 914-3339 dmcha@email.unc.edu
Ameet Shah (919) 613-2169 aus@acpub.duke.edu
Wer Mona Vadecha
(213) 734-4853 vadecha@scf-Es.usc.edu
General Coordinators
Heerain Shah
(404) 206-0671 gte271anvil.gatech.edu
Raju Shah (203) 777-4313 shah@200.cs.yale.edu
Co-Chairpersons
Gaurav Kapadia
Raju Shah
South
Jill Shah (918) 251-3597 jill-shah@urulsa.edu
Midwest
Avni Shah (314) 537-2643 avnids@aol.com
JAINA Youth Coordinator
Pravin Mehta (931) 648-9535 prehra@juno.com