Jain Digest 2002 01

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

Page 3

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
JAIN DIGEST
Dear Fellow Jains,
SPRING 2002 VOL. 19 NO. 1 CIRCULATION: 8500
In this issue
Jain Digest Editors.............3
From the Editor.
Headquarter News...
Jaina Day..
..............6
Upcoming Events...........]
Committee News...............10
Colour Science of Namokar Mantra.
............17
Sallekhana vs. Suicide......... 18
What You Sow, So You.........19
Regional News....................21
Jai Jinendra. I hope all is well with your family, friends, and loved ones during this time of turbulence in the world. Please be assured that JAINA is doing everything it can to promote peace and spirituality to Jains across North America, and welcomes any suggestions or comments that you may have. Well, a lot has happened since the last issue of Jain Digest... First, I have a progress report on topics mentioned in the last issue:
• The Education Committee has planned a Pathshala Teachers conference. A standardized curriculum and set of books will be discussed. One of the main issues that will be addressed is, convenient mobility and transferability for students. For example, a student moving from one city to another would not have any difficulty joining the new city's pathshala class. • Work has been progressing on the national JAINA library. It is shaping up to be ready for all member societies to participate and check out books. You may contact Virendra Shah at Jain Society of Southern Calif. For more details . We have a confirmed plan to bring you the first of a series of guest lectures on Sunday April
28th on TV Asia, and possibly other broadcasting stations. In new topics, we are working on ways in which all member societies can have access to highly acclaimed scholars from all over the world. I have requested all the Presidents of all large societies to provide some portion of the time for scholars to lecture at smaller societies in surrounding areas. In other news:
The JNF_MIS participation activity, which was stated on computer during last convention, has been continued on jaina.org web site. Please browse on the web site and examine a variety of items available to you.
Additionally, we have started the Jaina Focus newsletter on the same web site. This newsletter is intended to get to you timely information with convenient access via the Internet. I urge all Jains to inform Mr. Samprati Shah for publication requests of any reportable achievement, which he and his committee will then evaluate with specific guidelines.
Furthermore, we have and are proceeding to consolidate various activities and reports to you on one and only one web site, namely, jaina.org.
Planning for the Convention 2003 in Cincinnati is going at full force. During the next Executive Committee meeting in Chicago, on March 23, 2002, we plan to discuss details thoroughly. For those of you who attended and enjoyed JAINA Convention 2001, please inform your friends and families about it. We encourage everyone to plan on attending JAINA Convention 2003 in Cincinati.
The JAINA-sponsored “Vardhman Nagar" construction near Bhuj is progressing at full speed.
We want to come as close as possible to you. JAINA wants to be of service to you, and add value to the existing efforts by the leaders of your society. We have commenced a program of “JAINA Day" at as many centers as possible. One or more leaders of JAINA will be available to brief you about JAINA's efforts to enhance your way of living as a Jain.
Always ready to serve you,
Yours truly,
You can make a difference...23
Affiliates News.................
Life Members Update.........26
JAINA Book Store...........26
JAINA Convention Financial
Statement..
MIS Registration Form.......28
Matrimonials.....................30
OT
Young Minds....................34
Young Jian Professionals....36
Moving? Receiving duplicate copies? Send your address corrections to:
Bipin D. Parikh, President
JAIN DIGEST CIRCULATION Federation of JAINA
P. O. Box 700 Jain E.Getzville, NY 14068-0700
Cover Photos: Left: Gujarat Governor performing Ground Breaking Ceremony. Centre from left Acharya Chandnaji, Governor of Gujara Mr. Bhandariji, Speaker of Gujarat Assembly Dhirubhai Shah and others, Right: Bachubhai Ajmera handing over Rs. 10 million (JAINAS contribution) to the Governor. For Private & Personal Use Only