YJA Convention 2012 07 Tampa FL Tenth 027618

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

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GURUDEV SHREE CHITRABHANU
For the last 40 years, Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu has helped transplant and expound the age-old essence of the Jain teachings on Western soil. Because of his vision, thousands of Westerners have become vegetarians and practice the essence of Reverence for Life and Jain Dharma in their daily life. Gurudev Chitrabhanu has been known to the Western world as a man of vision and the pioneer who - as the first Jain Master in more than 2600 years, after 30 years of monastic life in India - brought to the West the essence of Ahimsa Dharma, the heart of Mahavir's teachings. The new generation of Jains has found Gurudev's teachings inspiring and continuously seeks guidance from him in their search for spiritual growth and development. The roaring success of Young Jains of America (YJA), an arm of JAINA, gives hope that the seeds have taken roots and are blossoming with fragrant flowers. He has dedicated his entire life in spreading the message of Ahimsa and compassion amongst the Jains and non-Jains. He has 26 books in his credit.
HARAKHCHAND MARU
Harakhchand Maru is the former President of the Tristate Cultural society of India, spanning the three states of Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. He has also founded Tristate Jain group, a growing Jain Sangh, for which he teaches Jain philosophy at a regular Satsang and coordinates regular religious and cultural activities. He is a graduate of St. Xaviers College Mumbai in Microbiology. He has been a speaker at YJA in the past and honored to be here again.
HARSHA NAHATA
My name is Harsha Nahata and I'm going to be a junior at the University of Michigan. I'm studying public policy hoping to focus in foreign policy/ international security. I love to write and I work for The Michigan Daily - the student newspaper at UofM. I want to either go into journalism or policymaking eventually. I also love to dance and was on the Bollywood/Fusion girls' team at Michigan. In my free time I like to watch Bollywood movies, shop, and play Temple Run.
HASMUKH SHAH
Mr. Hasmukh M Shah was Chairperson: MIS of JAINA for period of more than 14 years. He was also Associate Editor of Jain Digest Magazine. During his tenure as MIS Chair, there were considerable good results inasmuch as many young Jains married/ engaged with the help of MIS. After he renounced as MIS Chair, he was requested by JAINA to Chair the JAINA Adhyatmic Committee. He is Director on JAINA Board. He founded Jain Swadhyay Mandir USA during 1992 and he is President of this Non Profit organization. Sole aim of this mission is to pervade Jain Tatvagyan among desirous Mumukshus in North America. Mr. Shah is having good amount of study in Jain Philosophy and he is organizing Jain Adhyatmic Seminar every year at different places in North America. He was awarded Recognition-Award for leadership in promoting Jainism in North America at JAINA convention: Philadelphia, USA during July 1999. During JAINA Convention 2011 at Houston he was awarded President's special Award for significant efforts to promote Jainism in North America. He is very active with the Jain Society of Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida. Before this when he lived in Maryland for five years he was active and was Executive of EC of Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington DC He conducted Jain Pathshala for young Jains as well as for children for more than two years. He is also Trustee of Mangalayatan Tirth, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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iJain: Evolution of a Mind
Speaker Biographies