YJA Convention 2010 07 New Brunswick NJ Ninth

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

Page 42

High School / College Sessions
Putting the Heart Into Helping
In Jainism, charity or donation is called Dana. It should be done with compassion, with no desire for material gain, and in a spirit of self-sacrifice, but should also include joy in giving. If you have heard of the concept of 'microfinance' (or are interested in learning more about it), this session is for you! We will learn how best to use the resources of the developed world to help families in need in India. Rural entrepreneurs are hard-working individuals looking to provide for their families but need some assistance in doing so. Microfinance is a fundamentally sound way to help promote entrepreneurship in the rural areas of India. Come learn how to get involved in Dana by helping families develop and run successful businesses!
Miral Shethia - Miral Anoop Shethia is currently a team leader at, 30 Dollar Finance, a microfinance company designed to help struggling female entrepreneurs in rural India. He has a Master of Engineering Management from Dartmouth College and a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Mumbai. He is passionate about social change and the impact that we can have on the rest of the world, specifically in rural India.
Raagas to Riches
Bhajans based on classical raagas, or melodies, stay with us as permanent memories. Multiple raagas have been developed from ten basic "thoughts": Kalyaan, Bilawal, Khamaj, Bhairav, Poorvi, Marwa, Kaafi, Aasavari, Bhairavi, and Todi. This session will teach the rich musical basis and meanings of the Jain bhajans we sing at the derasar.
Nirmal Dosi - Nirmal Dosi is the Chairperson of the JAINA Scholars Program. He came in contact with many monks and scholars in India from an early age and later studied philosophy at the Banaras Hindu University. As a part of the JAINA scholars program, he works on a unifying vision for all Jain sects in North America. Mr. Dosi developed a great interest in Indian classical music and learned to play the violin from an expert in Saragi (reverse Violin). He now participates in local poetry recitals: two of his poems were published in a collection of poems written by overseas Indians. His profound interest in poetry drove Mr. Dosi to write many bhajans. He has spoken as an advocate for decreasing poverty at the UN world religion conference in 2000. He has organized several seminars at the last six JAINA conventions and made a very effective and heartfelt presentation advocating vegetarianism for over 200 temple organizations at the North America Hindu Mandir conference.
Samayika - Attaining Equanimity That Non-Jain Friends Will Enjoy
We live in a western culture with established procedures for experiencing a variety of activities, one of which is the way we experiece religion. Most of the procedures for experiencing what Jainism maintains will occur from procedures established in India. For some western Jains these procedures are difficult to learn and follow and so they are denied access to experience the greatness of the Jain tradition and ultimately the experience of their Atma/Soul. This session will outline the theory and provide the group practice of a time-tested western procedure by which Jains and non-Jains alike can experience the effect of traditional Jain practice.
Balbhadraji - Dr. Bruce Costain - Please refer to "Jain Jingles" on page 30 for a full biography.
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VYJA CONVENTION 2010 I New Brunswick