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WELCOME
As we go to press, six members of the Jain Spirit team have just returned from a promotion tour of the magazine in North America. From 3-5th July, we had a Photo Exhibition on the theme 'Jainism - Ancient Tradition, Modern Values' launched at the JAINA Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. Thereafter, we were guests of the Jain Societies of Southern and Northern California - Los Angeles and San Francisco. Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA, gave Jain Spirit a very positive endorsement in her keynote speech when she said: "Not only should Jain Spirit go to every Jain home, but it should also go to every politician, every journalist and every legislator in North America." She also added, "All animal lovers are Jain....they just don't know it." We can say similar things about vegetarians, environmentalists, peace lovers and human rights/social justice activists. Jain Spirit is a vehicle to reach out to all these different groups and share our Jain values.
Our visit to California was also very insightful. There was a spirit of unity among the communities. Both Jain centres are well used, with Sunday schools (patshalas) attracting over 300 children each. The leaders are openminded, proud of their heritage and dedicated towards encouraging children and youth. I witnessed a joint meeting between leaders in San Francisco and the Young Jains of America, where there was unconditional support for the youth given by the elders. This is a rare sight and very inspiring. The next major youth convention in July 2004 is going to be held in San Francisco and we would like to request youth leaders from all over the world to attend this event to create a spirit of global unity. Register early to avoid disappointment, and request your local community to sponsor your flights and registration. You are their future. Visit www.yja.org
In Los Angeles, our host Professor Tara Sethia decided to invite her whole class to see the Photo Exhibition. This was an eye-opener, both for them and for us. We saw how sharing our culture with others and answering their questions strengthens our own knowledge. Their presence for the first time at the Jain temple in Los Angeles enabled them to connect with the living community of Jains. Professor Sethia has set up an 'Ahimsa Center' at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, to encourage the study and practice of non-violence. Her work deserves support and it is truly anekanta in practice. At Berkeley, Professor Padmanabh Jaini was equally effusive about Jainism, stating how we have retained our traditional order of monks and nuns for thousands of years, who still live as simply and modestly as always. They have not compromised their lifestyle despite the modern jet age and materialism.
Unity is priceless and to build it requires enormous
Jain Education International 2010_03
Worship in San Francisco -
a united community with a unique charter
patience and self-sacrifice. I discovered this very clearly in my conversations with our host in San Francisco, Mr. Prem Jain, a pioneering leader in Jain North America and Senior Vice-President of Cisco Corporation. The Jain Bhavan in Milpitas is a beautiful building, built with a spirit of democracy and unity, which has led to widescale participation by all members of the community. Costing over $6 million, most of the donors are anonymous, and ownership of the temple is shared by everyone. All are equally proud, and Jain Spirit received a warm reception here. This is a model institution for the twenty-first century, which the Jain world would do well to emulate. Its leaders are fully committed to openness and democracy, values which are at the core of Jainism. The youths feel very much at home in this environment, inspired to retain their culture and take it boldly forward.
The Jain Spirit team is fully committed to building this spirit of unity, both locally and globally. To do this, we require the cooperation from Jain groups and organisations all over the world. We request you to promote this magazine to your members and get new subscribers, something that will benefit and strengthen all of us. We have colourful posters which you can pin up at your centres and subscription leaflets which you can distribute at your events. Please email us and we will send these to you right away. Our unique Photo Exhibition is now available on tour at your local centre. For details, please contact our Photo Editor James Maturin-Baird on photos@jainspirit.org
Jai Jinendra,
Atul K. Shah
Executive Editor editor@jainspirit.com
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