Jain Digest 2000 03 Vol 16 No 1

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

Page 3

JAIN DIGEST
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SPRING 2000 VOL 16 NO. 1 CIRCULATION: 7600
Dear Sahdharmic Brothers and Sisters:
In this issue
Jai Jinendra
Meet the committee Chairpersons .............
Letters to Editor ......
Headquarter News..............
Regional News ........
Rituals or new awakening ....11
Committee News .............
Affiliate News ...................
Jaisalmer to Palitana ...
International News ..........1
10th JAINA convention ....19
Book Review
Hope this letter finds you in the warmest of spirits after this year's freezing winter. The winter could be cold and severe but our spirits and activities should always remain filled with the warmth of friendship and compassion in the new century and millennium.
The response to our 2000 JAINA Calendar and Book Source has been very enthusiastic. Encouraged by the response JAINA has decided to make the JAINA Calendar an yearly event. I am in contact with well-known Jain Scholars in India to write an introductory book on Jainism for the use of our youngsters and non Jains as well. This book will deal with the basics of Jain Principles and will be reviewed by our scholars in North America for its usefulness in this part of the world. If approved by our scholars, we hope to make it available to all Jain families in N.A. by the upcoming convention in July 2001 or even earlier by the end of this year when the year 2001 calendar reaches you.
During my recent visit to India, I met with many leaders of the Jain Community who are jointly planning a full year of grand celebration of the 2600th Janmkalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir in the year 2001 - 2002. The leaders have requested an active participation by JAINA for this yearlong celebration. Our Mahavir Memorial Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Manoj Dharamsi is proceeding in this matter. I also attended Bhagwan Rishav Dev Nirvana Mahotsav on February 4, 2000 celebrated at Red Fort, Delhi with Hon. Atal Bihari Vajpai, the Prime Minister of India as its chief guest. This is also being celebrated for the whole year on an international level. It is possible that both these yearlong celebrations will be facilitated under one organization. The essence of it being to spread awareness of the first and the twenty fourth Tirthankaras and also the 22, which are in between them. Please participate wholeheartedly in these important celebrations of the new century.
Our Regional Vice Presidents and Directors will be holding JAINA DAY around Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti in association with our affiliate Jain Centers; please participate and cooperate in this activity.
Hope you are one of the participant to our much sought for YJP and YJA conventions this year. Our committees for Scholar Visitation, World Community Service, Senior Citizens, Jirnodhar, Temple, MIS, Ahimsa and others are all active towards their goals.
JAINA Tirth Yatra organized by our Pilgrimage Committee again became a memorable and rejuvenating occasion for all the Bahbya Jeevs who participated in it.
Jaina also sincerely thanks and congratulates all the Physicians, Surgeons and Volunteers who gave their services at medical camps at Bidada (Kutch) and Bhagyodaya Teerth (Sagar M.P.) in February this year. We are all proud to know that JAINA is fast becoming a well-recognized organization all over the world for its unity, activities and services. All eyes are watching us closely and are seeking us for our guidance and help. Congratulations to you all for making this happen and I urge you to keep up the good work.
JAINA Current Financial
Statement............................
Life Members Update .......21
MIS Registration Form ...22
MIS Inforamation......... 23
Matrimonials ............
Young Minds ............
Young Jain Professionals ...30
Moving? Receiving duplicate copies? Send your address corrections to:
Thanking You, confondya
JAIN DIGEST CIRCULATION Federation of JAINA P. O. Box 700 Getzville, NY 14068-0700
Mahendra K.Pandya President, JAINA
Jain Education Intemational
JAIN DIGEST SPRING 2000/1