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JAIN DIGEST
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SUMMER 1998 VOL. 14, NO. 2 CIRCULATION: 8,000
JAINA Goes to Shikharji
In this issue
From the Editor in Chief....
Meet the JAINA Board of Directors
Headquarters News .......
From the rippling shores of the Indian Ocean to the shining peaks of the Himalayas, from the desert of Kutch to the fertile fields of Brahmaputra, lies our vast motherland Bharat. In the Northeast corner of Bharat lies the state of Bihar (Magadha), heart and soul of Jainism where most of our Tirthankaras spent their lives. Most of the ancient sites of pilgrimage are located in that state. The first and foremost among them is Samet Shikharji (also known as Parshwanath hills among locals), located about 4500 feet above sea level. Jains consider Samet Shikharji as their most sacred place of pilgrimage and hold a lifelong dream of being there at least once. Samet Shikarji is where 20 Tirthankaras, out of 24 attained salvation (Nirvana). There are beautiful temples and charanpadukas (representing the footprints of the Tirthankaras).
International News ..
Affiliate News
Regional News
Committee News.............
1999 Convention Preview ... 14
Boston Pathshala Conference
Report ...
For Your Information ...........
SRO 000
For Our Health .....
JAINA Current Financial Statement ...
Traveling through Bihar has always been considered a difficult endeavor and sangh yatra is the only real choice for most people. For those of us living in North America, this is the first opportunity to join a sangh organized from this land to Samet Shikharji and other nearby Tirths. In observance of its 25th anniversary, Veerayatan has offered to be our host in India for this Yatra. Once we land in Bihar via New Delhi, Veerayatan will organize and assist our sangh in everyway possible. We will join them in their 25th anniversary celebration which will be graced by the Chief Minister of Bihar, the Prime Minister of India, and many other prominent Jains from all around the world. A delegation of 75 Jains from the U.K and 50 Jains from Africa is also expected. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister of India and many other dignitaries.
We will also be visiting Pavapuri (Nirvana place of Mahavirswami), Kundalpur (charan paduka of Gautamswami), Rajgiri (a place where Lord Mahavir spent 14 chaturmas), Nalanda University (founded in 5th century B.C.), Gunayaji (Gautamswami attained Kevalgnan here), Rujubaluka river (Mahavirswami attained Kevalgnan here), and Bodhgaya (where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment). Many of us have dreamt about visiting all of these places of pilgrimage but never had the opportunity. Now your own organization, JAINA provides you with the opportunity to fulfill a dream of your lifetime.
Abhidhan Rajendra .......... 21 Veerayatan Silver Jubilee Celebrations ....
JAINA Patron Update .....
General Fund Update ..
Life Members Update ........ 23 Happy Occasions..... .. 23
JAINA Appeal .............. 23 jain Temple Directory ........ 24
Nick Young Minds....... Matrimonials ................... 29
* ** MIS Information................. 30
Like many milestones in the short history of JAINA, this will be another one. By now I am sure you must have received a brochure describing this tirthyatra. Let us visit the land where our faith took birth and grew in strength—a land that introduced a profound religious thinking based on Ahimsa, Anekantvad, Aparigrah and Anukampa, a land that may still show the way in this chaotic world of today.
Jai Jinendra!
MIS Registration Form ......... 31
olstah
RRR
Dhiraj Shah
Moving? Receving duplicate copies? Send your address corrections to:
JAIN DIGEST Circulation Federation of JAINA P.O. Box 700 Getzville, NY 14068-0700
For more information on this pilgrimage, please see pages 6 and 7.
Jan Education international
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JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1998/1
