YJA Convention 2010 07 New Brunswick NJ Ninth

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

Page 21

High School / College Sessions
Communal Thinking: From 'Me' to 'We'
Is there only one truth? How do you know what truth is? Come to this session and explore the truth. This interactive session will provide a unique way to learn and experience Anekantavada that attendees will remember and cherish for the rest of their lives. No powerpoint presentation is part of this session, so get ready to participate in this group activity!
Speaker Biographies Session Descriptions &
Ashok Jain - Ashok Jain has been using a variety of non-traditional methods for teaching different aspects of Jainism in practice in a day-to-day life. He is a recognized leader, manager, mentor and motivational speaker.
Creating a Cruelty-Free Culture
Ahimsa, or non-violence, is the fundamental principle of Jainism. Ahimsa Paramo Dharmanon-violence is the highest religious duty. The Jain ascetic is enjoined not to commit violence against any living being, including those with one sense and that are immobile, such as plants or organisms that have earth, water, fire, or air as bodies. But all Jains are forbidden from Himsa against all mobile, multi-sensed beings. This is the basis for virtually unanimous support among Jains for not consuming meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. But many Jains are not vegans. They consume dairy products, such as milk, ghee, butter. They use dairy, wool, and silk in pooja events. They wear wool, silk, or leather products, or use items that contain animal products. Is not being a vegan consistent with the principle of Ahimsa? I respectfully ask you to consider that it cannot be. All animal products-including dairy and wool-involve inflicting suffering and death on mobile, multi-sensed beings. Learn how you can create your own cruelty free culture at this session!
Gary Francione - Please refer to "Ahimsa in Crisis" on page 15 for a full biography.
Creating Yourself: Finding Success and Happiness Through Entrepreneurship
"Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw. The secrets to happiness and satisfaction in your life can be unlocked while carving your own career through entrepreneurship. What holds us back from taking the leap from the trodden career path? Where can we find resources, ideas, help and inspiration? Learn about the common thread woven through Jainism and entrepreneurship and how understanding their true nature can set you free. I will also share my own stories and take questions from fellow ambitious Young Jains.
Nimit Maru - Nimit Maru is a technologist and entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley in California. He is currently a co-founder at Bloom Spot, a venture-backed online startup that sends you ridiculously great local offers and helps small-business owners find new customers. Prior to Bloom Spot, he co-founded a popular blog widgets company and spent three years at Yahoo! where he invented and built Yahoo! Map Mixer, an innovative new maps product. Nimit has also entertained over 5 million users worldwide with his educational games on social networks. When he is not cooking up his next project, Nimit enjoys playing tennis, guitar, morning yoga, reading, movies, following Indian cricket and finding poetic peace in seeing life unfold around him. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has been admitted to the MBA Class of 2012 at The Wharton School of UPenn in Philly.
Inspire. Connect. Do The Jain Thing.