YJA Convention 2000 07 LA Fourth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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story of service and sacrifice, of devotion, dedication, and a burgeoning master-disciple relationship. She worked from within: through the humility of the heart and the silence of the soul, becoming actively involved in social and medical welfare, rural development projects and the promotion of Jainism not only as a religion but also in the promotion of ecology.
In 1991, at age 26, Shilapiji decided to take diksha (renunciation). She was able to undertake an in-depth study of Jain scriptures during two periods of silence, one for six months in 1991 and the other for four months in 1993. Through her innovative ideas, she made a significant contribution to the concept of practical modern Jainism'. She also traveled extensively in India for the promotion of nonviolence, peace and harmony.
Sadhviji joined King's College in London in 1995 where a year later, she completed a master's degree with distinction in Comparative Indian Religions and at the same time she gained a unique understanding of the needs of the local community so that a program of education could be initiated to fulfill their needs.
Shilapiji's stay in the United Kingdom has also had a tremendous impact on the daily lives of thousands of Jain families residing there. She has given birth to faith in the local Jain community, where after years of spiritual apathy, her presence has inspired an awakening and the beginning of a new era. Soon she embarked on a renaissance in Jain education and with the blessings of Acharya Shri Chandanaji in January 1997, Shree Chandana Vidyapeeth (SCVP-a school for learning Jainism) was established in North London. In a short space of time, she successfully set up SCVP centers of in North and South London, Manchester, and in Nairobi, Thika Eldoret, and Kisumu in the country of Kenya.
Sadhvishri Shilapiji's mastery of many languages such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English has enabled her to touch people of all faiths across the world. Her knowledge and unique presentation skills facilitated a deep and meaningful understanding of Jain philosophy especially for the new generation of Jains facing the twenty-first century. She frequently lectures at Oxford, Harvard and other universities and has served as an eloquent spokesperson for Jainism in international interfaith meetings. She represented Jainism in 1993 at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, and again in 1999 at Parliament of World Religions in Cape Town, South Africa.
SAMAN SHRUTIPRAGYAJI and SAMAN STHITPRAGYAJI
Session: QUESTIONING AUTHORITY... presented with Gurudev Chitrabhanuji
Saman Shrutipragyaji and Saman Sthitpragyaji are disciples of Acharya Mahapragya and the late Acharya Tulsi. They have lived the rigors of Saman monkhood for more than 14 years and have
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