Jain Digest 2002 04

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

Page 6

CHESTO
HEADQUARTERS NEWS....
With the end of the First World War, the idea and reality of the League of Nations took center stage to establish Peace.' In spite of hard work by many leaders, the League of Nations, and thereby Peace, became a casualty ensued by World War II, the symbolic idea of Peace was still high on the agenda and hence the establishment of the UN. The vision of peace through the United Nations has held up for more than half a century.
SYMBOLIC CELEBRATION
The only place where more than 200 world leaders with many differences come together is the unique United Nations the City of New York. It is a symbolism, a new beginning to understand each other, to avoid conflict, and thereby prevent violence.
When JAINA President Bipin Parikh called me in late February that Gurudev Chitrabhanu wanted to have Mahavir Swami's 2600th Birth Anniversary celebration at the United Nations on April 25, 2002, my immediate reaction was positive. My quick suggestions were: unique invitation, unique location, unique gathering, unique message.
JAINA, Jain Center of America (JCA), LIMFF (Long Island MultiFaith Forum) representing twelve faiths and TOU2 (Temple of Understanding Dr. Karan Singh is Chairman) were brought together to represent United Nations of religions. Therefore the invitation was from eight key people, two from each of the above four organizations.
The program began with a recital
of Navkar Mantra. Then Gurudev Chitrabhanu recited slokas of Mahavir Swami. Greetings and activity reports were presented by Sister Joan Kirby (TOU), Dr. Panna Shah (LIMFF), Bipin Parikh (JAINA), and Dr. Dilip Mukhtyar and Hemant Shah (JCA).
Broader and more intense remarks were made by two international scholars, Dr. Kumarpal Desai and Hon. N. P. Jain. Specific topic presentations were made by two national scholars, Rajni Shah (Paryushana Parva) and Chandrakant Mehta (Samayik).
Youth scholars Ronak Shah and Sanjay Mehta made remarks on the relevance of Jainism in the business world and in the modern society.
Pratibha Pragya, one of two Samanijis from Texas, succinctly delivered the message of Jainism, while Samani Jagat Pragya thrilled the audience with Acharya Maha Pragya's song "Jiski Aaj Jaroorat Usne Kyun Pahle Avtar Liya."
4/ JAIN DIGEST. SUMMER 2002 Jain Education International
Arvind Vora, Kings Park, NY
Two relevant songs were presented - one by Rhonda Strieby ("Bridge Over Troubled Waters" alluding to violence engulfing humanity over the entire planet, while a youth star singer, Toral Shah, who captivated the audience at the Edison, New Jersey celebration, repeated the hit song "Amazing Grace" in a tribute to September 11.
Dr. Jairamanji, Executive Director of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, a scholarly multifaceted personality and life-long proponent of Indian values, delivered in brief the most important message of Mahavir "Ahimsa," while the Chief Deputy Consul, Rudy Warjri indicated all Indians should be very proud, indeed everyone on the earth, for the message of Ahimsa, which in practical terms, were utilized by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela for a positive change for humankind.
Four representatives of different faiths were recognized by Gurudev for their efforts to further understanding among all faiths. They were Rev. Msgr. Donald Beckmann (Roman Catholic Christian), Rev. Mark Bigelow (Protestant Christian), Werner Reich (Judaism), Raj Singh (Sikhism). Dr. Faroque Khan (Islam) could not attend because of a prior commitment of lectures outside the U.S.A.
IC
A check for $13,001 was presented to the Uniformed Firefighters Association for Widows and Children's Fund (9-11). At the same time in the spirit of Aparigraha, two donations, each of $2,600, were made by Doctors Panna/Jitendra Shah and Dr. Girish/Jyoti Shah to promote multi-faith values.
The presentation part was concluded by recitations of Stuti by Smt. Pramodaben Chitrabhanu, who specially came from Bombay a day before for the event (at the author's request).
In a symbolic way Chaturvidh Sangh was present, people from every faith, every age group also symbolically took part. A book to commemorate the event is under consideration.
A vegetarian Jain dinner, Swamivatsalya, an event unique to Jains, was served. Each one received a symbolic pendant specially made for this occasion and Jain books, JAINA calendar, and other printed materials.
In Picture: Gurudev Chitrabhanu presenting donations (9-11 fund) cheque to firefighters. Left to right Bipin Parikh, Dr. Mahendra Pandya, Firefighter Arvind Vora