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HEADQUARTERS NEWS (continued)
JAINA Executive Committee Meets in Philadelphia
The Executive Committee of JAINA along with a few special invited guests met in Philadelphia at SAMARPAN Temple on Saturday, March 21st. Dr. Dhiraj Shah, opened the meeting with a brief description of his 2 month long trip to U.K. and India. As published in January issue of Jain Digest, he met with planners of the 2600th Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavir and pledged that JAINA will take the leading role in the North American celebration of this worldwide event. He gave a progress report of the temple building efforts in Tulsa, Miami, Atlanta and Pratistha Mahotsav in Detroit. The Committee approved his proposal to send each of the 54 centers a multi media CD-ROM published by the Pluralism Project, Harvard University entitled "On Common Ground – World Religions in America".
Preparation for YJA Convention is well under way.725 Youths between the ages of 14-29 are expected to attend this biennial convention. Chairperson Raju Shah briefed the committee on the planning and extended an invitation to the convention to all the
members of the JAINA executive committee. Gurudev Chitrabhanu and other scholars are the invited guests and Dr. Dhiraj Shah will also address the gathering. JAINA also recommended that the JAINA Charitable Trust should give a grant of $5,000 to the youth conference.
A Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Bipin Parikh was appointed for long term fund raising to finance various JAINA activities. The most important presentation of the day was from the members of SAMPARNA Jain Sangh in presenting their bid for the 10th JAINA Convention. The Executive Committee of JAINA and special invited guests (including 3 past Presidents of JAINA), unanimously approved a resolution to hold the '99 JAINA Convention in Philadelphia.
Next morning on Sunday, members of the Executive Committee attended Snatra Pooja at the SAMARPAN temple and met with members of the local Jain community.
JAINA Plans a Pilgrimage to Samet Shikhar In the holiest of Jain traditions, JAINA in cooperation with evolved through time to adapt to demands of the contemporary Veerayatan, is planning a 14 day pilgrimage to Samet Shikhar and world. Visit Veerayatan and see "Compassion in Action". You will other nearby Tirths this coming October. Veerayatan will assist in have a chance to interact with Jains of India and from many other arranging all the yatras. We will join them in their 25th anniversary lands. celebration (October 3-5) which will be graced by the Chief Our plan is to fly to New Delhi and on to Patna, catch a bus to Minister of Bihar, the Prime Minister of India, President of JAINA Veerayatan and at once experience heaven on earth. In the foothills and many other prominent Jains from all over the world. Pilgrims of Rajgiri, Veerayatan is Jangal me Mangal, Bhagwan Mahavir's will have an opportunity to meet the dignitaries. A delegation of 75 message in daily practice. The foundation of Veerayatan was laid in Jains from U.K. and 50 Jains from Africa is also expected.
1973 by Acharya Shri Chandanaji with the inspiration of Gurudev This Yatra will take you to the places where Jainism took birth Upadhyay Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj. Veerayatan is located on foot and grew in strength-a land that introduced a profound religious of Vaibhavgiri hills. It covers an area of 40 acres and is rich in its thought based on Ahimsa, Anekantwaad and Aprigrah land that historic heritage. Time spent there will prepare you spiritually to may still show us the way and lead us out of the chaotic world of embark on the ultimate pilgrimage. (See itinerary and registration today. You will understand the origin of Jain religion and how it has form on the next page).
WEAVES
Pathshala Teachers Convention JAINA approved a grant of $3,000 to Ist Quadrennial Pathshala Teachers Convention that took place on Memorial Day weekend (May 23-24) in Boston. The conference is jointly sponsored by JAINA and the Jain Centre of Greater Boston.
(The post-convention report is published on page 15).
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JAINA Sends CD-ROM For the benefit of all Jains, JAINA has sent to the Presidents of all 54 Jain Centers a CD-ROM published by the “Pluralism Project" at Harvard University. Entitled “OnCommon Ground
World Religions in America”, this $170 disc contains a large section on Jainism, which will be a valuable resource material for pathshalas. The CD-ROM contains 110 pages on Jainism and every Jain should look into it.
RANA
6/JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1998
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