Jain Digest 2001 01 Vol 17 No 01

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

Page 34

COMMITTEE NEWS....
MAHAVIR MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
CELEBRATING 2600th JANMA KALYANAK
OF BHAGWAN MAHAVIR 2001-2002
Friday, 6th April 2001 will be the 2600th Janma Kalyanak of 5-8, 2001). A special commemorative postal stamp to be issued Bhagwan Mahavir. This is a very important milestone in the his. in India on April 6, 2001 will be made available at the JAINA tory of Jainism. JAINA plans to increase awareness of our religion convention. CD and Videotapes on Bhagwan Mahavir's life, and and its great principles to the public by providing publicity of this various souvenir items will also be available at the JAINA convenimportant milestone through media. JAINA is working on pre- tion. paring a 3-fold brochure on Jainism and other publicity material
7. Seminars on Jain principles will be arranged at various locafor use by Jain centers and their members to promote awareness of
tions. Special lecture series on Jain religion will be arranged at Jainism. A number of activities are also planned at the JAINA
universities/colleges. convention and all Jain centers in North America. Various activities planned in North America are given below.
8. In addition to providing a JAIN calendar, JAINA would like
to provide a set of books on Jain religion to all Jains in North 1. At 12:39 PM (Vijay Muhurta) on Friday, April 6, all
America as proposed in the cover letter sent with the calendar. Jains are requested to 12 (or more) Navkar. In addition, all Jains
However, this will be possible only if JAINA receives donations are encouraged to perform Navkar Mantra Jaap for some time on
for this purpose as outlined in the cover letter. For further inforthat day at a place and time convenient to them. Pooja and Navkar
mation, please contact: Dr. Manoj Dharamsi,Chairman Mantra Jaap programs will also be performed at all Jain temples/
Phone: (703) 620-9837, centers in North America. This being done by all Jains through
E-Mail: MDharamsi@hotmail.com out the world will generate very strong vibrations through the day. 2. A Jain prayer in the US Senate on May 22 this year. This
PUBLIC RELATIONS is a very important achievement for Jain religion since only Chris
AND MEDIA WATCH COMMITTEE tian prayers are normally conducted in the US Congress and Senate. The other religious prayer allowed so far has been a Jewish
The issue regarding Sun Micro system and JAINA of using JAIN prayer. Recital of Jain prayer in the US Congress is also confirmed
as the exclusive trademark for a software product. The Patent offi(date of recital to be finalized soon). Jain centers are working on
cials have ruled in our favor at this time. However, we need to arranging recital of Jain prayer in their state assemblies.
continue to monitor these types of activities. Thanks to all those 3. We are publishing a 3-fold brochure on Jain religion for who helped resolve this issue. non-Jains. Copies of this will be distributed to libraries, newspa- On the occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir's 2600h Janma Kalyanak pers and radio/TV media stations in North America. A press in 2001 we have been successful in arranging recital of a Jain prayer release will be given to Newspaper and TV/Radio media for pub- in the US senate on 22 May of this year. We have also arranged a licizing this important milestone in the history of Jainism along Jain prayer in US congress on May 3 2001. We will begin each with details on Jainism, its major principles and on Jain activities one of these prayers by hosting a reception for the Senators and in North America. We will also provide a Media Kit to all Jain House of Representatives to educate and thank our elected leaders centers for their use in providing publicity in their area.
in celebration of Mahavir Janma Kalyanak. This is a very impor4. Efforts are in progress in various cities to request state gover
tant achievement for Jain religion since only Christian prayers are nors and city mayors to declare April 6 as the "Non-Violence Day normally conducted in the US Congress and Senate. We Request in recognition of the" Ahinsa” as main principle of Jainism.
that each center or organization arrange a recital of Jain prayer in
your state Senate and/ or General Assembly. 5. Being the 2600h Janma Kalyanak, a grand scale celebration
• We are working with Mahavir Memorial Committee and deof Mahavir Jayanti is planned at all Jain centers. A Walkathon is
veloping media guidelines and kit for distribution to each organibeing planned at various Jain centers to provide awareness of Jain
zation. religion and its principles to the public. Other activities including lecture series are also being planned by various Jain centers.
• Kit will include Tri-fold basic information on Jainism for Non
Jains. 6. Special programs to commemorate 2600th Janma Kalyanak
• How to submit a request for media coverage! of Bhagwan Mahavir will be held at the JAINA Convention (July
32 / JAIN DIGEST. SPRING 2001 Jain Education Intemational 2010_02