Dear Sadharmik brothers and sisters,
Jai Jinendra!

Only two days are remaining to make your registration for JAINA Convention 2021 at an early bird price. The price would increase from March 1. Take this opportunity to be a part of Convention 2021 from the comfort of your home. Sit back, Relax and See us bringing you interesting virtual programs with higher Commitment and Dedication!

We promise we have something for all age groups. Read about fascinating events, Cultural programs, Drama, Distinguished Speakers, Spiritual Sessions, Youth, Kids, and more at www.jainaconvention.org. For all Sponsorship opportunities please contact conventionfundraising@jaina.org.

After much appreciation and demand from the community, the JAINA team is working to rebroadcast the “NARVIR” Play soon. The play has helped us raise funds for the JAINA Vaiyavach committee to help our Sadhu Bhagwants. We have raised approximately $822,000 till now and request you to please help us reach our 2021 goal of one Million Dollars for the various Vaiyavach projects. So far, the committee has approved funds for 5 New Vihardhams, 2 renovations of existing vihardhams, and a clinic for Sadhu & Sadhvis near Sankheswara Tirth. We still need funds for two study rooms for Sadhu Bhagwants at Adhyan Kendra at Sankheswara ($30,000), two Vihardhams at Adarajmoti near Ahmedabad ($110,000), an Ambulance for Girivihar hospital at Palitana ($60,000) and additional $50,000 for general Vaiyavach causes.

On International Women’s Day, March 7, 2021, attend a virtual lecture
"Rekindle the Inner Light" by spiritual teacher Pujya Pramodaji Chitrabhanu.

We all may be facing a few health, financial, or relational problems, but more frequently, our hard times arise from our mind. Mental hard time is mostly a wounded ego. In such times, all we need is a shift in our thinking, the way we see and interpret life. Let us hear the five tips from Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai to help us rise above our challenges.

Jain Digest Editorial team invites you to share your experience about practicing the Jain Principles. How practicing Jain principles brought you joy, peace, fulfillment as well as what challenges you faced on the journey. You may also share an incident from your life that helped you get a better understanding of the Jain teachings. We will publish your experience in the June Jain Digest issue. Please fill out the form given below by March 31, 2021.

Attend Financial Awareness and Independence for Women conference on March 13, 2021, by the JAINA Women’s Committee Chicago Chapter.

The India Philanthropy Alliance has announced its second national Youth Essay Competition, which is sponsored by Sarva Mangal Trust and M S International Inc., to challenge students to think about solutions to social problems and their own role in nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.

Watch the animated Jain story with your kids, - “How a meat-eater Bheel became a Dev”.

This month, the Boy Scout of America celebrated Scout Sunday. It is good to know that many of the scouting virtues align with Jain principles.

The story of ‘The Clay Idol’ is a powerful way to connect with yourself and ignite your own inner potential by Rahul Kapoor.

Please see below for details or links, if any, on all the above items.

Sincerely,

Mahesh Wadher
JAINA President

JAINA is grateful to the community for appreciating the NARVIR Play that was aired on February 14th to raise funds for the JAINA Vaiyavach committee to help our Sadhu Bhagwants. With Gurubhagwant's Blessings, we are now at $822,000. Our goal for 2021 is to raise One Million Dollars.

JAINA is truly grateful to all the generous donors who did their part in vaiyavach projects. The fundraising is still ongoing for all the projects related to the “Vaiyavach” of Sadhus & Sadhvi Bhagwant of all sects. We request you to come forward and donate a tiny share to this noble cause.

Click here to read more about JAINA Vaiyavach Committee

Attend a virtual lecture, Rekindle the Inner Light, by Pujya Pramodaji Chitrabhanu on International Women’s Day.

Date: Sunday, March 7, 2021
Time: 11:00 am EST | 9:30 pm IST
Zoom: 2838406351 | password: 480872

For questions, contact Usha Shah: 248-910-4026 | shasha6879@gmail.com

Do you feel you’re passing through hard times? Is there something that has you paralyzed and you just cannot see light at the other end of the tunnel? Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai shares tried and tested ways of transforming hard times into opportunities for inner growth We may be facing a few health, financial, or relational problems, but more frequently, our hard times arise from our minds. Mental hard time is mostly a wounded ego. In such times, all we need is a shift in our thinking, the way we see and interpret life. Here are five tips to help us rise above our challenges.

Read More

Inside the February issue, read an inspiring Life of Trevor Noah by Reena Shah.

The life of Trevor Noah, the host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, is an incredible story of a mixed-race boy growing up in poverty. His life exhibits many virtues such as acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and integrity. He credits his mother as the moral center of his life. After being shot by her enraged ex-husband, she told Noah, “Don’t hate him for doing this, but rather pity him because he too is a victim, in his own way, of a world that has thrust upon him an idea of masculinity that he has subscribed to and is now a part of. As for myself, I do not wish to imbue myself with a hatred that only I will carry.” Read the whole article:

https://issuu.com/jaindigest/docs/jain_digest_february_2021/s/11653979

Read the full February 2021 Jain Digest:

Jain Digest February 2021

Be a part of the “Community Corner” in the June 2021 issue of Jain Digest

Jain religion is one of the world's oldest religions that is being practiced by its followers around the world. By practicing the core values and principles established by the Tirthankaras, the followers seek spiritual advancement in order to liberate themselves from the cycle of birth and death.

In this practice, many of us experience joy, peace, fulfillment as well as face challenges. Please let us know about your experience in living by these values and principles. You may also share an incident from your life that helped you get a better understanding of the Jain teachings. Please fill out the form at
http://bit.ly/PracticingJainPrinciples by Wednesday, March 13, 2021.

The Jain Digest Editorial Team will review your entry and selected entries will be published in the June 2021 issue of Jain Digest. The top 3 entries will also be featured in the 2021 JAINA Convention Souvenir book.

You can also read all the past Jain Digest issues by clicking on the below button.

Jain Digest

JAINA Women’s Committee Chicago Chapter presents “Financial Awareness and Independence for Women”. The Conference will be on March 13, 2021, at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm EST | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm CST | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST.

You will be listening to two women Financial Experts with 15-20 years of experience in finances as speakers. Please mark your calendar for this educational and helpful session to understand your own finances. Gifts and prizes for the attendees to be followed.

The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) has announced its second national Youth Essay Competition to challenge students to think about solutions to social problems and their own role in nonprofits and philanthropy. The competition is sponsored by the Sarva Mangal Family Trust and their company MS International, Inc. In the midst of a pandemic and related crises that are unlike any other, the enthusiasm and ideas of the next generation bring hope for the continued admirable work of nonprofit organizations in India and abroad.

The winners, runners-up, and finalists will be selected by a panel of philanthropy experts in two age cohorts. For middle school students, the essay length is 600 words or less, and for high school students, the limit is 1,200 words. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2020. The goal of this contest is to get students excited about philanthropy and problem-solving, particularly on issues affecting India. Winners in each age category will be invited to present their ideas at the Indiaspora Philanthropy Summit and allowed to direct $1,000 to the nonprofit of their choice. Runners-up will be granted $500 toward the nonprofit of their choice.

For more information on the background and essay guidelines of the youth essay competition, please visit here.

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated Scout Sunday, on February 7th, 2021, which recognizes the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. Many of the scouting virtues align with our Jain principles and there are even Jain Religious Awards the scouts can earn. If you need help on Jain-friendly diets during camping, Feel free to reach out and ask for advice to Harshid Shah, Scouting Committee Chair at scouting@jaina.org