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Jain Digest Summer 2007
CONVENTION WITH MANY FIRSTS
After 25 years This was the first convention designed and produced by JAINA with the help of many Sanghs. Almost 6,000 people attended the JAINA Convention reversing recent trend of declining attendance. The convention board was chosen from all over North America - from Toronto to California - people with years of Convention experience worked for 18 months to produce this convention. Dhrumil Purohit, Co Chair of YJA was also included in the convention board so that the planning for the entire convention always included youth perspective. Registration was handled by Toronto Sangh; Food was served by Jain Center of America (NY), Scholar invitation was handled by Washington Sangh, Jain center of Connecticut helped the scholars, Jain Center of NJ gave us volunteers, Cherry Hill Jain Sangh produced the Beautiful souvenir and the program book.
The collaborative effort of various Sanghs and pathshals was the hall mark of this convention. This convention was also carefully designed to be more religious than any previous convention Thursday, the first day of the convention was most inspiring day. Dev Guru Shastra Pooja, Parswa Padmavati Poojan, Pathshala Teacher's conference, opening of the Ashtapad & Three Chovishis exhibition and Ashirvachan of our monks and scholars set the right religious tone of the entire convention. Samovsaran - the greatest peace assembly in the history of the universe was the running theme of the convention. Samovsaran Rangoli exhibition opened on Friday afternoon. Friday evening musical "SAMOVSARAN" wherein 130 children from six different pathshals choreographed by Divya Jain of NJ and presented by Veeraytan won 10 minute standing ovation of every one in the auditorium.. Rangoli exhibition was so stunningly beautiful that some visitors went back five times to get another perspective. , a 5' x 8' model of Samovsaran by Cherry Hill Jain Sangh pathshala students and cover design of the program book all were the reminder of Mahvir's last sermon.
Famous German photographer Thomas Dix lent his photographs of Ranakpur and Abu Temples to decorate the hall with. Huge prints of his work adorned the walls, ceilings and the stage of the main hall creating a pious ambiance. Many of the prints used in decorating the hall were purchased by attendees. Programming committee team under the leadership of Nitin Talsania made the entire convention experience pleasant. Under his leadership, facilities committee headed by Varshaben Mehta created a Ranakpur Temple ambiance in the main hall and Himanshu Shah provided superb audio video services beyond expectations as studio quality sound was produced in such a large hall -- a miracle indeed!
"TATWARTHA SUTRA" a book by Manubhai Doshi of Chicago and published by JAINA was inaugurated at this convention by Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji and a copy was included in every registration bag. Educations Committee's E book project - a 2 DVD set consisting of 250,000 pages of Jain literature and Long Range planning Committee's hand book of "Jain Way of Life" were inaugurated by Sri Dayanad Sarswati and Dr. Dipak Jain respectively. More than 1,500 JAINA E-BOOK DVDs were sold.
Final round of JAIN ACADEMIC BOWL was attended by 800 parents. Moderator of the Final round Muni Sri Jin Chandraji and Dr. Bipin Doshi complemented the JAB team of Education Committee and JAINA for their effort in creating new young Jain scholars in North America
The Convention entrance was beautifully decorated and included symbols of many religions to project the theme 'Peace through Dialogue'. Interfaith participants from several institutions toured the convention on Saturday and attended many sessions. A statue of Lord Mahavir that adorned the main stage for four days was gifted to the Monmouth Center of World Religions and Ethical Thought.
A symposium on 'Communicating Jainism' in the American Society generated a chain of questions from youth and yielded five volunteers. The women's forum packed with participants included four multi-faith women leaders on its panel. Numerous Jains witnessed the Kesh Lochan ceremony of Mata Shubhamati.
JNF (Jain Network Forum) and other youth activities for about 1500 young Jains took place in Holiday Inn and Magic Touch workshop for children age 5- 11 was organized by Shivani Mehta and Chaitali Malde.in the main hall.
A keepsake Souvenir with contribution from many scholars and beautiful program book helped conventioneers plan their days through the maze of multiple activities in various locations. Many visitors were able to take advantage of Bus tours to the Temples of New York and Siddhachalam.
It was announced that 2009 JAINA Convention will be in Los Angeles area.
SPIRITUAL LEADERS/ SPEAKERS
Scores of speakers -Keynote address of Sri Sri Ravishankar and Sadhwi shri Shilapiji, inspirational speeches of Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji, Dr. L M Singhavi, Pujya Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, Acharya Shri Chandanaji, Swami Chidanand Sarswati, Dr. P Jayraman, Prof Nalin Shastree, Samanji Shrut Pragya swamiji, Samni Mangal Pragyaji, Padm Shri Kumarpal Desai, Dr. Sudhir Shah, Sri Dayanad Sarswati, Baba Ramdevji, Dr N P Jain, Mataji Subhamati, Chandrakant Mehta, Tarlaben Doshi, Pandit Dhirubhai Mehta, Bhattarak Charukeertiji of Moodbidri, and many many more were the real stars of the convention. Tapaswi Darshanaben from Ahemdabad - lifted everyone's spirit as she keeps performing her Tapsharya Attham followed by Aymbil followed by Attham ...) for the past 14 years to win back control of Samet Shikhar Teerth to Jains from the meddling hands of the Government.
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