Jain Spirit 2003 03 No 14

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 20

NEWS IN BRIEF
BRIEF Compiled by Falguni Patel
U.P. CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES JAIN ART GALLERY AT LUCKNOW Lucknow, India
On the occasion of the 2600th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Bhagwan Mahavir, an exclusive Jain art gallery, Kala Veethika, was inaugurated on 25 October 2002 in the State Museum at Lucknow by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Mayawati. Various rare collections of ancient temple architecture and other art objects are on display in the gallery. The gallery was built by the Sethi Trust, with the cooperation of Shri Bharat -Varshiya Digambara Jain (Teerth Sanrakshini) Maha Sabha and State Museum. It was inspired by Jain saint, Shri Saurabh Sagar Ji Maharaj.
JAIN PHILOSOPHY VERSUS THEORIES OF MODERN SCIENCE The YJA (Young Jains of America) South Regional Conference that took place over Thanksgiving weekend, 29 November - 1 December 2002, was a great success. This three-day conference included several sessions exploring the themes of Jain philosophy and modern science. Samaniji Pratibha Pragya led morning yoga and meditation sessions on both Saturday and Sunday. The Houston Youth Group organized a presentation on the meaning of the Namokar Mantra. Following this session, the participants discussed why the Namokar Mantra is considered to be such a powerful prayer in Jainism. Samaniji Pratibha Pragya also led a lecture entitled "The Life of a Shravak." This was followed by a discussion on how every individual incorporates Jainism in their lives. The Dallas Youth Group performed a skit entitled "How the Chor Stole Diwali", based on the importance of Diwali in Jainism and why it is celebrated.
DO YOU KNOW OF ANY HIGH-FLIERS IN YOUR JAIN COMMUNITY?
People of talent, people who have made outstanding contributions to society? If so, contact us at Jain Spirit and we will write about their achievements in future issues of the magazine. E-mail: news@jainspirit.com
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD?
Have you had any exciting, inspiring, Jainismrelated events in your community? Then share them with us and spread the Jain Spirit! Contact us at the Jain Spirit office with your news and photographs.
STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO EXPLORE JAINISM
Manchester, UK
British Jain students, keen to explore Jainism as it relates to their lives, have initiated a venture called Jain Student Network (JSN). JSN's vision is to have vibrant groups of students across the UK, building up a support base of like-minded individuals, learning to live in a non-violent way, and exploring issues relating to students. Currently, existing Jain student groups are at universities in Warwick, Leicester and Manchester, with several other locations on the horizon. For further information, contact Prakash Shah (07879 442631) or Suraj Shah (07968 910827).
BOSTON JAINS PUBLISH NEW PATSHALA RESOURCES Boston, USA
The Jain Center of Greater Boston (JCGB) has announced the publication of two new booklets: Jain Prarthana Book and Shri Samayika Sutra. Since the inception of Jain religious classes (patshalas) in North America, it has been observed that the teachings of Jain prayers and sutras have been an extremely challenging task for young people born outside India. This has been due primarily to a lack of suitable material. After extensive efforts, JCGB has compiled these two booklets, which present this material in a simple and appealing way.
The Jain Prarthana Book presents many popular hymns in the original Devnagari script with transliteration and translation in English.
The Shri Samayika Sutra booklet provides instructions how to perform the Jain ritual of samayika in a simplified and step-by-step way. The samayika procedure and the sutras are easy to read and understand. In Jain traditions, samayika is the first and the most important duty.
The booklets are available in a package of 20 books (10 Prayer books and 10 Shri Samayika books). The cost is $60.00 for a package (no cost for domestic shipment, extra cost added for overseas shipping). To order, please contact: Pankaj K. Shah (mitashah@attbi.com), 249 Hillside Ave, Needham, MA 02494, USA. Please make cheques payable to 'Kreate and Print'.
MAHAVIR FOUNDATION GRANTED PLANNING APPROVAL London, UK
In December 2002, Vinod Kapashi, President of London's Mahavir Foundation, announced that the Foundation was granted planning permission to demolish the existing structure at its Brookshill site in north London and to build a new shikharbandhi (sanctified) temple and Jain Centre there instead. The Mahavir Foundation will announce the date for the inaugural ceremony shortly. It is most likely to be held on 11 May 2003.
PURE FREEDOM: THE JAIN WAY OF SELF-RELIANCE
USA
A new resource for sharing Jainism with the world has been designed, written and published in the United States for use by Jains to explain Jainism to non-Jains in America and the English-speaking world. The second edition of the pocket-size booklet Pure Freedom: The Jain Way of Self-reliance has just been completed and is now available for Jains worldwide to spread the philosophy and vision of Lord Mahavir to friends, neighbours and colleagues of all faiths and backgrounds. The booklet answers familiar questions, such as: Do you believe in God? Why don't you eat meat? What's the value of your philosophy, when it seems so few have heard of it? What do Jain people do, how do they live and why? Do your beliefs have anything to do with my life in the modern world? Are you like a Hindu?
This new introduction to Jainism focuses on what many curious people want to know and typically ask about. It also addresses some of the misconceptions about Jainism. For a copy of the booklet, please contact Mr. Amar Salgia at: asalgia@yahoo.com
March May 2003 Jain Spirit
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