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JAINA's Convention Committee The 10th Biennial JAINA Convention will be held in Philadelphia hosted by Samarpan Jain Sangh., convenors of the convention are Dr. Mita and Devendra Peer. The names of Convention Management Board is published on page 40. As reported in the last issue, the JAINA Executive Committee has appointed Dr. Mahendra K. Pandya, as the chairperson of 10th Biennial JAINA's Convention Committee to assist Convention Management Board of Samarpan Jain Sangh and he has chosen various committee members as was published in the last issue.
Jains Mourn Loss of
Munichandraji Maharaj Pujya shree Munichandraji passed away on May 3, 1999 in Tithal, Valsad (Gujrat) at the age of 63. He died of pulmonary illness. Munichandraji was the eldest of three brothers collectively known as Bandhu Triputi. He was 17 years old when he took diksha under Guru Premsuriswarji Maharaj. He followed strict jain rituals for 47 years before he came to U.S.A. in 1989 with Pujya Kirtichandji and Jinchandraji Maharaj.
Triputi Bandhu established Shantiniketan Sadhna Kendra in Tithal on the Valsad seashore in 1983. Acharya Shri Sushil Muni visited Shantiniketan in 1989 and invited Triputi Bandhu to Siddhachalam. In March of that year the three of them renounced their sectarian adherence and traveled overseas for the first time. From there on they worked tirelessly to break down the walls between different jain sects. Munichandraji was a writer, thinker and also a very renowned poet. His message to everyone is "Live happy, fearless and peaceful life.
World Parliament of Religions As reported in previous issues JAINA is sending delegates to World Parliament of Religions in Cape Town, South Africa December 1999 Dr. Manibhai and Savitaben Mehta will be part of the delegation. For more information, please call 716/636-5342
Pratishtha Mahotsav Greater Baltimore Hindu-Jain Temple celebrated Bhagwan Mahavir Pratishtha Mahotsav on May 9, 1999. The Mahotsav began with a discourse by Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and a Bhavna program on May 8th. On May 9th a Snatra pooja was performed in the morning followed by a procession. Many Jain families participated in eighteen abhisheks. Gurudev conducted Pratishtha ceremony of Bhagwan Mahavir. Hundreds of attendees danced to the joy of this auspicious event of pratishtha. Number of Jains from neighboring states attended the celebrations. The event concluded with a swamivatsalya. For further information about the temple, please contact Kamlesh Shah at 301/838-9778.
JAINA at United Nations On May 20, a JAINA delegation comprising of President Dhiraj Shah, First Vice President Mahendra Pandaya, Secretary Dilip V. Shah and Trustee Kirit Kapadia met Mr. Kofi Asomani, Director, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Liaison office, and Ms. Robyn Groves, Senior External Relations office, UNHCR Liaison office, at the UN headquarters in New York City.
The two UNHCR representatives were briefed about JAINA and its activites. Dr. Pandya presented Mr. Kofi Asomani with the books Jainism by Mr. Kurtz and Jainas Philosophy of Religion by Nagin Shah.
Dr. Dhiraj Shah presented Mr. Asomani with a check for $10,000 to assist UN efforts in helping Kosovo refugees. Mr. Asomani thanked JAINA for such a generous contribution. Ms. Groves appreciated JAINA's humanitarian work.
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Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia Museum of Art is will have a special Jain art exhibition from June 26 to October 22 in the William P. Wood Gallery titled Making the Path to Perfection: Art for the Jains in India. Dr. John Cort from Denison University will lecture at the opening on June 26. On view will be two beautiful 15th century illustrated manuscripts of the Kalpsutra, a twelfth century carved image of meditating Jina, probably Mahavira and 17th century manuscript of Sangrahanisutra that illustrates the complex Jain exploration into the nature of the universe. This exhibition complements of the Philadelphia Museum of Art galleries of Indian Art. There are variety of Jain masterpieces on view such as the monumental 10 century granite “Mahavir" from Tamilnadu and two stunning metal images from western India - an exquisite 7th to gth century Rishabhnath and a grand 12th-century goddess Ambika.
Global "Ahimsa" Day There are some thirty four wars going on in the world today. A global ceasefire to promote Non Violence is needed. JAINA has been invited to join with the "United Religious Initiative" (California) to mobilize world religious forces and leaders in various countries to declare 72 hours (Dec. 31, 1999 - Jan. 1-2, 2000). Ahimsa days. This idea needs to be discussed in all the centers and action taken to promote lasting peace. Call Ramesh Shah for more information 440/442-4596 (4770 office).
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1999/7
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