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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Sadharmik brothers and sisters,
Jai Jinendra!
We are extremely saddened to know that Sunandaben Vohra has left us for heavenly abode on August 5, 2020. JAINA extends heartfelt condolences to her family and everyone she influenced in their lives.
I wish you and your family sukh-sata during the upcoming Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parv with each of us getting involved in prayers, fasting and cleansing our souls.
Please attend an important & informative webinar related to PARYUSHAN
Organized by Jain Doctors International (JDI) on August 9, 2020. Details are given below.
Know the origins of Paryushan/Das Lakshana Parva and why we celebrate it in the articles below.
This Paryushan/Das Lakshana consider giving up dairy and encourage others to do so as well. Watch the two-minute video to understand how the modern Dairy industry is doing more harm than good to animals as well as our health. Giving up on dairy products will help to lessen the violence, your environmental footprint, and help cultivate self-control.
JAINA will conduct virtual lectures daily on Zoom, from August 15-22, by Scholars, Dr. Jitendra Shah (in Hindi), Dr. Kumarpal Desai (in Gujarati), and Dr. Bipin Doshi (in English). To take laabh of these virtual lectures you just have to join in the links mentioned-below during the lecture time. Please find the joining details below.
JAINA presents an online mini-course on the Fundamentals of Jain Philosophy during the Paryushan 2020. The course will be conducted by Dr. Bipin Doshi in English from August 15th to 22nd. More details are given below.
Join the virtual Aloyana on August 22nd and all Pratikramans on August 22nd and 23rd. Details are given below.
Read an interesting interview, published in the New York Times, on Jainism with Dr. Pankaj Jain who is an associate professor in the department of philosophy and religion at the University of North Texas.
Jain Center of Central Ohio collected funds and donated the same to Mid Ohio Foodbank. Also, the center is conducting various virtual events for the Sangh. Read more about it below.
Read below Part 1 of the Climate Crisis Series by the JAINA Education Committee. What is the climate change/climate crisis? And what are the reasons for the climate crisis?
Sincerely,
Mahesh Wadher
JAINA President
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Shraddhanjali to Sunandaben Vohra
 We are saddened to announce the demise of our own – Sunandaben Vohra. As we have mentioned before, this year has not been kind to humanity, and we continue to
witness many events that are unimaginable and bewildering. She passed away peacefully at her home in Paldi Ahmedabad on August 5, 2020, at 7:00 pm. She was 98
years old.
Sunandaben was a disciple of Acharya Shree Yashovijayji and the late Shree Acharya Shree Kalapurnaji. She got her initiation in Jain Dharma from Shree
Kanji Swami at the age of 14. She married at a young age straight after finishing high school had a son and daughter. At the age of 28, she lost her husband and
moved from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. She sought enlightenment in studying with Pandit Sukhlalji. Sunandaben frequently spoke at the late Pujya Shri Atmanandji’s Shrimad
Rajchandra Adyatmik Sadhana Kendra, Koba. She also graced the Jain Sanghs across other parts of the world, such as east Africa, the UK, and Antwerp, Belgium.
Sunandaben first came to the US in 1998 and began giving swadhyays a Jain centers across North America regularly between 1991 to 2004. She always
dressed in White traditional attire of saris. She never sought publicity and identified herself as a simple householder.
Sunandaben has penned more than 40 books in Gujarati on subjects like Tattvarth Sutra, Kalpasutra, a Jain dictionary, etc. She had created a Swadhyay
group consisting of members who came to her home on a daily basis until earlier this year. In addition to her religious activities, she was very active with many
noble causes, charities, and organizations, one of her most active roles was with "Apang Manav Mandal".
The demise of Sunandaben has created an irreplaceable void for the entire Jain world. Please join us in praying for Sunandaben's quick journey to
liberation.
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Webinar on Paryushan During COVID-19
You are cordially invited for an important & informative webinar related to Parushan Organised by Jain Doctors International (JDI)
Topic: Paryushan During COVID-19 Times
- Dr. Manoj Jain, USA (Infectious Disease specialist)-Prevention of COVID - 19
- Dr. Mala Dalal(Physician) UK - Management of COVID-19
- JITO COVID Center a Success Journey
- Launching of medical helpline for Sadharmiks by Jain Doctors Federation (JDF) & JIO (Jain International organization)
- Spiritual guidance on Paryushan activities during COVID-19 by Param Pujya Naypadmasagarji Maharaj saheb
Invitees: Sadharmiks, Shravak Shravika, Doctors, CA,& Advocates, Businessmen, officers, trustees of Sangh & many more organization members will attend.
Topic: Paryushan during COVID times
Date: Sunday, Aug 9, 2020
Time: 08:15 PM INDIA I the UK: 4.00 PM I USA: 8.00 AM EST 11 AM PST
Join Zoom Meeting at this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83761901766?pwd=RE0vUE40VDZtU0R0NE5vbFRaakhsUT09
Meeting ID: 837 6190 1766 Passcode: 999
Webinar coordinators: Dr. Bharat Parmar, Dr, Sujal Shah ( JDF, INDIA) Dr. Abhay Chopda, Dr. Arvind Shah (UK) Dr. Jayesh Shah(USA) You are cordially invited
for an important & informative webinar related to PARYUSHAN
Please mark your calendar for this important webinar.
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The Origins of Paryushan/Das Lakshan
 The origins of the Paryushan/Das Lakshana Parva are rooted in the agricultural lifestyles of India of centuries ago when people lived in small, dispersed villages.
After the monsoon rains and harvests, people had a break from the agricultural work. Roads would become difficult to travel, and the increase in insects would
make it difficult to travel without killing them. Therefore, the people and the Sadhus/Sadhvis would avoid any travel. This gave them the chance to spend these
days to focus on purifying themselves, advancing their knowledge, and so on.
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Paryushan/Das Lakshana Maha Parva
 The
word ‘Parva’ means auspicious day. There are three types of auspicious days - 1. Ordinary (Samanya) like beej, pancham, etc., 2. Incidental (Naimitik) like Mahavir Jayanti (Birthday)
and 3. Natural (Naisargik) like Paryushan. The word ‘Paryushan’ has several different meanings: 1. Pari + ushan = all kinds + to burn = to burn (shed) our all types of karmas.
To shed our karmas, we do twelve different types of austerities including fasting. 2. Another meaning of ‘ushan’ is to stay closer. To stay closer to our own soul from all directions
and to stay absorbed in our own-self (soul), we do Svadhyaya (self-study), meditation, austerities, etc., and 3. Pari + upshamana = upshamana means to suppress, to suppress our
passions (kashayas - anger, ego, deceit, and greed) from all directions.
Therefore, the real purpose of the Paryushan is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our own faults, to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes
we have committed, and take vows to minimize our faults. We try to forget about the needs of our body (like food) and our business so that we can concentrate on our-self.
To ask for forgiveness is the toughest thing to do. Therefore, our great Acharyas have said, “Kshama Viram Bhushanam, Kshamavani Michchha Mi Dukkadam” - To ask for
forgiveness is a great quality of the brave ones and if I have committed any mistake, knowingly or unknowingly, I ask for your forgiveness.
There are several great aphorisms (sutras) to ask for forgiveness with the unity of the body, speech, and mind, and one of them is as follows:
Khamemi Savve Jiva, Savve Jiva Khamantu Mi Mitti Me Savva Bhuesu, Veram Majjham na Kenai.
Meaning: I forgive all the living beings of the universe, and may all the living beings forgive me for my faults. I do not have any animosity towards anybody, and I have
friendship for all living beings.
The process of shedding our karmäs really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings, and to take some vows not to repeat mistakes. The quality of forgiveness
requires humility (vinay - the absence of ego) and suppression of anger.
Svetambars celebrate eight days of Paryushan and the last day is called Samvatsari. While, Digambars celebrate Das-Lakshana Parva for ten days starting on the last
day of Svetambar Paryushan. They celebrate ten best characteristics of the soul: Kshama (forgiveness), Mardav (Humility), Arjav (straightforwardness), Shauch (content - the absence
of greed), Satya (truth), Samyam (restraint of all senses), Tapa (austerities), Tyaga (charity), Akinchan (non-possessiveness) and Brahmacharya (celibacy).
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2020 Paryushan campaign - Can you help spread the word & encourage friends & family to give up dairy?
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DAILY LECTURES DURING PARYUSHAN 2020
We are just a week away from the auspicious Jain Parv, Paryushan and Das Lakshana. During this 8/10-day of religious festival, all Jains undertake Tap, Jaap, and Pratikraman per their ability for the purpose of destroying Paap Karma and collecting some
Punya Karma. During the Paryushan, the subject of the first three days’ lectures are dedicated to “Amari Pravartana” consisting of:
- Observance of Ahimsa - or practicing Non-Violence.
- Sadharmik Vatsalya - Caring for all other Jains.
- Kshamapana – or Forgiveness/Forbearance.
- Attham Tap, or fasting for three consecutive days.
- Chaitya Paripati – Visiting other nearby Temples and asserting that they run smoothly.
The remaining five days will be the reading from the ‘Kalpasutra’ describing in detail the last 27 Bhava/lives of Bhagwan Mahavira. The life stories of the Vitrag Bhagwan is a journey from Atma to Parmatma or the transformation from ordinary to perfection.
Additionally, there will be a discussion of the lives of other Tirthankaras too.
Kalpasutra is an unlimited treasure of bliss – just hearing the words it burns our bad Karma. For this reason, during Paryushan days, it is beneficial to listen to
and internalize the message for self-upliftment.
 Dr. Jitendra
Shah of Ahmedabad will deliver the daily Paryushan lectures in Hindi on Zoom every morning during Paryushan at 8:00 AM PST; 11:00 AM EST.
Dr. Shah has been coming regularly to the US for Paryushan swadhyays for the last 18 years, conducting 10-day Tattvarth Shibirs for 200+ attendees in Ahemdabad for
the last 13 years and teaching Jain Shastras to many Sadhu Bhagavantas and Sadhvijis. Under his leadership, scores of students have obtained Ph.D. in Jainism. He is also the former
Director of the L. D. Institute of Jainology.
 Dr. Kumarpal
Desai will deliver daily Lectures in Gujarati at 8:00 AM PST and 11:00 AM EST.
Kumarpalbhai has contributed a lot in the field of literature, education, reporting, and religious discourses. He has penned over 150 books in Gujarati, Hindi, and
English. For his national reporting, he received the Acharya Tulsi award. He has promoted Jain Dharma nationally and internationally by his more than 25 trips to foreign lands
including the US, UK, Kenya, and Antwerp. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpai Awarded him “JAIN RATNA” and President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam has Awarded him the “PADMA SHRI” award.
Collaborating with 100 scholars, he has edited and published 5 of the 20 volumes of Jain Viswa Kosh ( Encyclopedia).
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Virtual Samvatsari Pratikraman August 22 & 23, 2020
Due to COVID-19, we have to celebrate the auspicious festival of Paryushan and Das Lakshana at home unlike every year at the Jain centers. JAINA is organizing the below-mentioned virtual Pratikramans and Aloyana on Zoom for people to take laabh from home.
Kindly forward this message to everyone so they can join.
| Pratikraman |
By |
Date |
PST |
CST |
EST |
| English |
Dr. Nitin Shah |
August 22, 2020 |
2:00 pm & 5:00 pm
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5:00 pm & 8:00 pm
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| Swetambar |
Dr. Jitendra B Shah |
August 22, 2020 |
1:00 PM & 4:00 PM |
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4:00 PM & 7:00 PM |
| Swetambar |
Ravi Shah & Chintan Shah |
August 22, 2020 |
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6:00 PM |
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| Sthanakvasi |
Pannaben Shah and Pinky Matalia |
August 22, 2020 |
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6:30PM |
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| Sthanakwasi |
Mahendra Khandhar |
August 22, 2020 |
4:00 PM |
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| Sthanakwasi |
Siddarth Sanghani |
August 22, 2020 |
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4:00 PM |
| Sthanakwasi Aloyana |
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August 22, 2020 |
11:00 AM & 2:00 PM |
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2:00 PM & 5:00 PM |
| Achal Gach Pratikraman |
Mulchand Gala, Lankesh Haria, Umang Gala |
August 23, 2020 |
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4:00 PM |
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Click here to Attend All the Samvatsari Pratikramans |
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Jainism Article in NY Times by Dr. Pankaj Jain
 Recently, the New York Times published a conversation on Jainism with Dr. Pankaj Jain, an associate professor in the department of philosophy and religion at the
University of North Texas. Read the whole interview here.
Dr. Jain is the author of “Dharma in America: A Short History of Hindu-Jain Diaspora,” “Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities: Sustenance and Sustainability”
and other works. He is currently translating “Jain Darshan,” a text on the philosophy of Jainism. In 2019, he appeared in the TV series “The Story of God” with
the actor Morgan Freeman.
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Jain Center News
With the support and generous contributions of the Sangh, Jain Center of Central Ohio (JCOCO) collected a donation of $3121 towards Mid-Ohio Foodbank. With these funds, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, with its COVID-19 Emergency Meal Match, was able to provide
up to $90,000 worth of healthy, fresh fruits/vegetables to hungry families, children, seniors, veterans, and homeless people in our community.
Additionally, JCOCO has been able to conduct virtual Pathshala classes throughout the summer. JCOCO recently conducted live virtual Bhavana during the celebration
of the Temple's 8th Anniversary. Every Thursday, JCOCO hosts pre-recorded swadhyay sessions by various scholars.
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Jainism Says: Climate Crisis Series - What is Climate Crisis?
Question: What is the climate change/climate crisis? And what are the reasons for the climate crisis?
Climate crisis refers to a long-term change in the Earth’s climate patterns The term “climate crisis” commonly refers to the long-lasting changes
in the planet’s global climate over the past 50-100 years, including changes to temperatures, precipitation, and wind patterns. The dangerous effects of climate
change are reflected in many ways, most serious of which include:
- Global warming - rising average temperatures (+1.5°F over the past century).
- Increases in intense rainfall, flooding, droughts, and more frequent and severe heat waves and forest fires.
- Increasingly acidic and warming oceans, melting polar ice caps, and rising sea levels.
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