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What is JAINA Focus?
· JAINA Focus is an electronic news collection and dissemination vehicle for JAINA and its member societies · You can read JAINA Focus by going to JAINA website JAINA.org and then clicking to JAINA Focus · JAINA Focus will be updated frequently to provide you with the latest information related with JAINA and its member societies or any worldwide information available to us. · Please send any significant information or upcoming event related with your organization for including in JAINA focus to Samprati Shah at samprati.shah@worldnet.att.net · Please note that information will be included in JAINA Focus based on its significance or importance to Jain Community. |
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Press Release: P.M. ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE SANCTIONS Rs. 2CRORES FOR JAIN MANUSCRIPTS CATALOGUING PROJECT - 30TH NOVEMBER 2002 | |||||||
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A delegation of Jain leaders from various countries led by the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) met H.E. the Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee at his residence today. The delegation represented the Jains in the UK, India, Singapore, Nepal, and Japan. JAINA Federation of USA and Canada, Jain Cultural Centre of Antwerp and the Visa Oshwal Community, Kenya sent letters of congratulations as their gesture of support and representation. The purpose of the meeting was to update the P.M. on the activities of the Institute and on the status of Jain Manuscripts Cataloguing Project. The P.M. is the Patron-in-Chief of this Project. The programme commenced with the recitation of Navkar Mantra. Shri Mahesh Shah informed those present of the activities of IOJ, which included the presentation of the Jain Declaration on Nature to H.R.H. Prince Philip at the Buckingham Palace, translation and publication of Tattvartha Sutra in contemporary English, and an exhibition of Jain Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Other activities of art, culture and education were also mentioned such as the partnership with Birkbeck College of the University of London under which qualified teachers run courses on Jainism. IOJ was also a major participant in the rebuilding of Ninama village in Gujarat which had been destroyed by the earthquake. The new village named Ladakpur now provides all modern amenities to the residents. Shri Harshad N. Sanghrajka described the project for publishing catalogues of Jain manuscripts in detail. He informed the P.M. that the collections of The British Library, The British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum had already been catalogued and it was being edited for publication in 2003. The Wellcome Trust had a collection of 6000 Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts from which 1500 had been selected and listed as Jain. The detailed cataloguing work will commence soon. When completed, the catalogues will become available worldwide through web and Internet. Dr Kumarpal Desai informed the meeting of the many and varied activities of IOJ's Ahmedabad office, and especially the support it extends to the Manuscripts Cataloguing Project and the benefits which accrue to India and its heritage. Shri Nemu Chandaria thanked the P.M. for accepting to become the Patron-in-Chief of the Project and he made a plea for financial assistance from the funds allocated by the Government to celebrate 2600 birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir. Dr. L. M. Singhvi said that the P.M. had increased the enthusiasm of the Jains tremendously by accepting to become the Patron and taking personal interest in preserving India's heritage. Minister of Culture & Tourism Shri Jagmohan who had earlier met the representatives of IOJ expressed great interest and support for such a project on behalf of the Government. He graciously announced the sanctioning of Rs. 2 crores for the Project on behalf of the P.M. and the Government. The Jain delegates applauded the magnanimity of the P.M. Shri Ratilal Chandaria, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Jainology, Shri Dipchand Gardi Trustee of IOJ India, and Dr. L.M. Singhvi, M.P. (Rajya Sabha) presented mementos to the P.M. and expressed sincere thanks for his support. | |||||||
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130 day fasting- first in U.S.A.: | |||||||
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Shri Hira Ratan Manek is now in Orlando, Florida, USA. He is currently fasting by Jain tradition and today is his 49th day of fasting. He plans to do 130 days fast and parana is sceduled to be on November 17,2002. This will be longest tapasya outside of India and we can celebrate it to spread the message of Lord Mahavir Swami and Jainism. For more information you can contact Dipak M. Shah at 407-260-2303 | |||||||
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Young Jains UK 5th international convention | |||||||
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Tasting the Mango Fun Key Fundamentals - The Whole Mind Common Sense Approach The Young Jains UK 5th international convention was a landmark event, that saw over 250 delegates dedicating their weekend to the learning of Jain fundamentals, in an innovative, creative and interactive way. Participants spent 2½ days, from 23rd - 25th August, "Tasting the Mango," a title derived from a famous quote of Bhagvan Mahavir's, an important Jain thirthankar (leader): "Just as a mighty mango tree is hidden within the stone of the mango, even so, o man, divinity itself is hidden within you. Rest not until you uncover it." | |||||||
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Jain Music on Web | |||||||
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Here is a link to lots of Jain music like Navkar/Namokar Mantra sang by various people, Hindi Stavan, Gujarati stavan, English song, Bhaktamar and other songs in various formmats.
http://www.jainworld.net/realaudvdo/divdhwani/divdhwani1.htm
We hope you all will enjoy them. Please, let us know at info@jainworld.com if you have any suggestions or if any of the sub-links do not work.
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AHIMSA TIMES | |||||||
| For AHIMSA TIMES NEWS ISSUES - WWW.JAINSAMAJ.ORG First News Magazine of Jainism on Internet Editors : P.L.Jain, Dr. Sulekh Jain, A. K. Jain | |||||||
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Kalpsutra Manuscript | |||||||
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Kalpsutra Manuscript: Christie's - a world famous auctioner of antiques has a 15th Century Kalpsutra Manuscript for auctioning on September 19,2002. Jaina would like to participate in this as an organization with the help of other Jain sponsors or member societies. The intent is to keep this manuscript with Jain organization or Jain family. Please contact Dr. Bipin Parikh, Jaina president for more information at 847-699-1294. | |||||||
JAINA VOICE August 2002 Issue: | The subject issue is now here. Please go to www.jainheritagecentres.com for details. Editor-in-Chief is Dr. H. A. Parshwanath. |
History in making in the teaching of Jainism: | JAINA has decided to work on another milestone in instilling Jain Sanskar to our children at very early age in their life. JAINA under JAINA Publication Committee (JPC) has started an ambitious project of publishing Series of Jain Sanskar Animated Stories on CDs or VHS tapes for Children. For additional information, please contact: | Premchand B. Gada Chairperson, JAINA Publication Committee 8605 Vicksburg Ave Lubbock, TX 79424 USA 806-794-4777 gadapb9jafna@pol.net
JAINA Education CD available in India: | We have received very good reviews of our JAINA Education CD from many Jain organizations of USA, Canada, and UK. About 2000 CDs were distributed to all these organizations and individuals. | More on Jaina Education CD
Education CD Available From JAINA: | The CD contains over 2000 files, which consist of more than 10,000 pages of printed materials covering variety information of Jainism in English. It will be a great resource for everyone interested in Jain philosophy, including Jain pathashala teachers and students around the globe. | More on Jaina Education CD |
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Jain Education Courses to be Offered at Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad: | |||||||
| Dr.Lalitbhai Shah, Dr. Purnimaben Mehta (Director, Int. Jain Centre, Gujarat Vidyapith - founded by Mahatma Gandhi), and Dr. Vastupal Parikh has designed some short courses to be offered for NRIs by the Gujarat Vidyapith this winter. Vice-Chancellor of the Vidyapith is very supportive. Dr. Parikh lives in Toronto and can be contacted by phone at (905) 453-5073, | |||||||
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Jain Ratna Award Conferred on Parveen Jain | |||||||
| JCNC (Jain Center of Northern California) Congratulates Parveen Jain* on being conferred the Jain Ratna Award in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. The award was conferred with the recommendation of Manojbhai Haran and the approval and blessings of Acharya Padma Sagar Ji Maharaj, Acharya Praghumanvimalsuri Ji Maharaj, and Acharya Navratna Sagar Ji Maharaj. The award was conferred on behalf of Shri Jain Ratna Award Committee of Ladhi, Gujarat. The Award ceremony took place in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on July 17, 2002 and was organized by Arihant Charitable Trust in conjunction with the inauguration of Arihant Hospital in Indore. The ceremonies graced by Acharya Ji, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the Mayor and other dignitaries of Indore, and guests representing Jain organizations in Kobe (Japan), Singapore, Chennai, Mumbai, Jaipur and many other cities. Over 4,000 people attended the ceremony. In addition, Parveen Jain was also honored as the Chief Guest of the Arihant Hospital Opening Ceremonies by Arihant Charitable Trust, and was asked to help inaugurate the hospital. After receiving the award, Parveenbhai commented that "as much as I feel honored by this award, it is too big of an award for my humble and modest offering in the service of our great religion. I have always felt, and will always do, that it was an exemplary team effort that got us where we reached, and there are many others who are equally or more deserving. I will always be very proud of my partners in this journey, and our community at large. JCNC is truly is a unique Jain rganization, and we need to do everything to preserve our uniqueness." | |||||||
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YJP Convention 2002 in Montreal, Canada: | |||||||
| Are you a young Jain 24-39 years of age, then there is something special happening for you. Young Jain Professionals (YJP) organization's annual convention will be held on 11-14 October 2002 in Montreal, Canada. Plenty of opportunities to network both professionally and socially. For more information and to register today go to www.yjponline.org/conferencereg.html or email yjponline@yahoo.com | |||||||
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Commemorative Coins | |||||||
| Government of India and Nepal issue commemorative coins to celebrate 2600th Janma Kalayanak of Bhagwan Mahavir. To commemorate the 2600th Janma Kalyanak of Bhagwan Mahaveer, Indian Govt. and Nepal Govt. have recently issued special coins. Govt. of India have issued a commemorative coin of Rs. 5/- on 26th April 2002. Shri Atal Bihari Bajpai, Prime Minister of India released this coin of copper and nickel alloy at New Delhi. Govt, of Nepal have issued a commemorative coin on Bhagwan Mahaveer on 13th April 2002 at Kathmandu in a grand function. This silver coin is of Rs. 250/- value. As you may be aware, large number of Jains are residing in Nepal. | |||||||
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GUJARAT COMMUNAL RIOTS VICTIMS RELIEF FUND | |||||||
| MAY 6, 2002 Dear Friend, Jai Jinendra. It is sad to inform you that Mahatma Gandhi’s Gujarat has lost the spirit of Ahimsa and Anekant, twin pillars of Jainism and the essence of Lord Mahavir’s Message. In the last two months, communal riots have taken the lives of more than one thousand people, tens of thousands are injured and more than one hundred thousand people are in refugee camps near Ahmedabad and other places. We, the followers of Ahimsa and Anekant cannot sit idly and watch this carnage. Let us practice what we preach and help these victims in their hour of need. Please send your tax-deductible (IN USA) contribution, payable to JAINA and mail to: Prakash Mehta 2960 Mother Well Court Oak Hill, VA 20171. For further information, please contact any of the following World Community Service representatives: B. S. Ajmera 301-924-8070 Prakash Mehta 703-352-8340 Bhadresh Dhila 304-570-1117 Dr. Dhiraj Shah 716-773-1314 Dr. Bipin Parikh (JAINA PRESIDENT) 847-699-1294 | |||||||
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News -Goa Conference | |||||||
| The first Asian Vegetarian Congress was held in Goa, India ,at Donna Sylvia Resort from 14October-20October2001, by the Vegetarian Society (Reverence for Life). 180 delegates participated from all over the world. It was one of the best and inspiring congress in which the various speakers explained and demonstrated the benefits of being a vegetarian, practice of ahimsa and compassion for all living beings. One of the special aspects of this congress was that the Christians and Muslims who are fleshitarians participated and changed their life styles by being vegetarian. The Governor of Goa, Mohammed Fazal, spoke eloquently and profoundly on vegetarianism and also stressed on the fact that not only for the human body, but also for the economic reasons, it would be better if the country were in very large proportions on vegetarian diet. Besides this, vegetarianism is economical. It helps in moral, spiritual and even philosophical aspects of life of the people. Even the Ex-President of India, Shree Venkatraman, said how is healthy, happy and wholesome only because of vegetarian diet. The President of this society, Shree Gurudev Chitrabhanu gave a brief speech by stating "Vegetarianism is more than a dietary regimen. It is an act that involves nurture of sensitivity to all forms of life. It involves abjuring violence to all creatures great and small. Reverence for life brings vibrations of peace and will lead to a sense of well being in us. That feeling is truly a blessing. |
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Visit site www.acharysushilmuni.com |
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News -Jain Darshan Article | |||||||
| The events of September 11 shocked the world. But as New Yorkers, we were even more directly affected. The security and freedom we enjoyed in this country were challenged. We could no longer take these privileges for granted. Along with our own fears, our sense of compassion and humanity influenced our actions as we felt the need for involvement in the recovery efforts from this disaster. Even our children felt that same need. They all expressed deep sorrow for families, much like their own, whose lives would be changed forever. Our children felt the need of direct involvement in order to satisfy their sense of community responsibility. A monetary contribution did not serve that purpose for them. From here, our idea began. We arranged a fundraiser for the American Indian Children of Westchester with the goal that they would feel a sense of community responsibility and they could understand how each and every one, regardless of age, can play a role in reaching out to those in need. The fundraiser consisted of 5 sports activities for which the children had to receive pledges from their family and friends. The fundraiser, named Kids Helping Kids 2001 was held on November 17, 2001 and approximately 70 children participated. The event was a huge success and the total amount collected was $5116! The money was then donated to Volunteers of America Kids for Kids Relief Fund. This relief fund was created especially for children of victims of the World Trade Center disaster. Seeing the response from our community and the children's enthusiasm in helping others, we would like to conti |