Jain Journal 1995 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 42

NEWS ON JAINISM AROUND THE WORLD
Thousands Attend JAINA Convention at Chicago
BARTLETT, IL: An International convention of Jains organized as the 8th Biennial conference attracted over 12,000 Jains from all over the world for an extended session June 28-July 2. It was a multidimensional convention devoted to both traditional and contemporary issues and was filled with enlightening addresses and cultural displays.
The Federation of Jain Associations in North America's JAINA convention was hosted by the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago and had participants from as far as India and Africa. The convention also coincided with the “Pratishtha Mahotsava," or the ceremony of installation of the 24 Thirthankara statues in the newly built temple.
This was the first time the convention for JAINA was being held in the Chicago area since the local society, two years ago, built in Bartlett the largest Jain temple in the nation.
The convention's theme was "Peace through Non-Violence." The Jain Center is the only Center where all Jain sects such as Shwetamber, Sthanakvasi, Digamber and Shrimad Rajchandra are under the same roof.
Youth participation was an important element and, at regular intermissions, cultural programs like Rāsa, Garbā and other educational discussions were being held, to promote Jainism, in the younger generations. Items of discussion ranged from "Jainis the 21st century," "Role of youth in Religion," "Vegetarianism, a way of life," and "Communicating with your elders."
The organizers had the support of thousands of volunteers who painstakingly provided other avenues for enjoyment. The basement of the temple hosted the first of its kind exhibition stalls from all areas of the United States. Many organizations had displayed items from their areas and the youth chapter of Chicago put together a brilliantly perceptive collage showing the stages of destruction of the world and the solutions for them.
Exhibition Chairman Hemendra Momaya told India Post that the youth had done all the artwork and put up the workshops and all the programs. "Just seeing them work and get so involved in our way of life, made me very proud.” he said.
Masum, one of the many volunteers at the information booth,