YJA Convention 2010 07 New Brunswick NJ Ninth

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

Page 31

High School / College Sessions
Jainism and Ahimsa: Bringing Ancient Practices to the Big Screen
In the late 1980s, Dr. Tobias wrote and directed one of the very first major documentaries on Jainism for worldwide distribution. The 56-minute film, "Ahimsa -Non-Violence" was filmed throughout India and premiered on Christmas Day nationwide on PBS. While the film is now almost a quarter century old, it remains a critical archive of Jain spiritual and daily practices and - more than ever - reveals the many contributions that the Jain ethical traditions have made and continue to make towards a better world. After showing DVD clips, Dr. Tobias will lead attendees in an engaging discussion of the issues and concerns presented in the clips.
Speaker Biographies Session Descriptions &
Michael Tobias - Refer to "The Complexities of Non-Violence" on page 13 for a full biography.
Jainism & Good Decision Making
Young Jains today are faced with difficult decisions and choices regarding their career and personal lives in the western world. Almost every aspect of our modern lives require decision making and can be related to our career, personal life and spiritual life. Many questions and confusion arise out of diversity of values and conflicting sources of information. This session will provide you with a methodical way of thinking for making good decisions using simple Jain fundamentals.
Prerit Shah - Please refer to "Application of Jain Tattva (Physics) for Stress Management, Conflict Resolution & Good Decision Making" on page 17 for a full biography.
Jainism in the Eye of the World
Ever tried to explain to your non-Jain friends why you can't eat meat or eggs? Ever had to skip an event because it was during Mahavir Jayanti or Paryushan? If you have, then you've heard it many, many times: "You're Jain? What's that?" It's not easy to explain something that takes up 12 holy scriptures of description. But that doesn't mean we can't let our friends know what Jainism is all about! Come listen and discuss on how to explain why we do what we do and change false perspectives published in Wikipedia and other websites. Let's be proud to be a Jain and spread the word about our unique religion.
Kayuri Shah - Currently a high school student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and from the Metropolitan D.C. Jain Sangh, I actively participate in our Sunday school activities, and am currently a part of our youth group. I enjoy dancing and have performed many garba and raas dances at our Jain Sang's Mahavir Jayanti programs over the years. I am passionate about guiding others to become more involved in religious activities. My fascination with Jainism's science of the human body has inspired me to stay healthy, exercise, and become the active athlete I am today. I enjoy taking on new challenges and will work with others until the problem is solved!
Inspire. Connect. Do The Jain Thing.