YJA Convention 2014 07 Washington DC

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

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SESSIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Jain Dialogue
HSC Akash Shah Harsha Nahata, Kinari Shah These sessions offer a space to engage in discussion surrounding pressing issues or questions related to the Jain religion. Participants will be able to engage with peers to address uncertainties or questions they might have while talking about larger philosophical ideas related to our religion.
Jain Diet and Food-Holistic Approach to Spirituality. Health and Ecology
HSC / COL Pravin Shah What does Jain food mean? Is it vegetarian food that contains no root vegetables? Do the Jain scriptures define such a narrow definition? This presentation investigates the Jain diet definition using the holistic approach of ahimsa and self-restraint from Jain scriptures. It properly defines the criteria of Jain diet and concludes that Jain diet, if practiced properly, is an ideal and practical diet that helps to progress our spirituality and is healthy and eco-friendly to our environment.
Jain Potpourri!
HSC / COL Mitesh Shah and Priyanka Shah Jain Potpourri is a session that follows the open forum format. Ask anything to other attendees who may have answers for you and questions of their own. This is an incredible opportunity for Jain youth from around the world to inquire about the world as another Jain youth might see it. ur session mentors, Priyanka and Mitesh, are knowledgeable and will guide dialogue on current issues relating to Jain youth. There is no agenda. Ask anything, and don't be shy!
Jain Rituals
HSC/COL Preyas Shah Ever wonder what the significance behind different Jain customs and rituals is? In this session, we will go into detail on various Jain Rituals. We will discuss the intentions behind the rituals, what they symbolize, as well as how to perform these rituals.
Jan Stories: Writing and Talking about Being Jain
HSC / COL/ JNE Jennifer Craig-Savla "What's a Jain?" How many times have you gotten this question? It's time everyone knew. And the best way to do this is for us to tell our stories -- the good and bad, the ordinary and extraordinary. In this session, the lead editor for JAINA's "Jain Perspectives" blog on The Hullington Post will facilitate dialogue about what it's like to be Jain in North America. Hear others' experiences, and be heard. All stories will not leave the room - unless, of course, you answer the call at the end of the session to have your story published on the blog!
Jain Universe
HSC/COL Pravin Shah Jain literature has described, in great detail, the structure of the universe. However, the present of knowledge of universe significantly differs from what is described in the literature. Our scriptures claim that the Earth is flat, not moving, and is the center of the universe. The presentation will summarize the Jain literature version of the universe and provide comparisons with the present understanding of the universe.
Jainism IS Social Justice (or Can We Make It So in the 21st Century)
HSC/COL / JNE Parag Khandhar It is easy to reduce Jainism to soundbites like "non-violence" and "vegetarianism." What does it take for us to go from the idea of asceticism and the abstraction of non-violence to a more engaged and proactive stance of community and anti-violence? In this modern world where everything feels more connected, cannot the philosophies and lessons of Jainism play a role in creating a world with less suffering, more equity, and greater sustainability? We will ask some of these questions in this interactive session and begin a dialogue that we can continue in the future.
YOUNG JAINS: TODAY'S LEARNERS, TOMORROW'S LEADERS
WITAMIN UNT