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Dear Sadharmiks,
Jai Jinendra! Pranam!
I wish to highlight an insightful article by Shree Anop Vora in the latest edition of Jain Digest. He delves into the profound concept of the "18 Papsthank Sutra," shedding light on the 18 common sinful activities that often go unnoticed. Shree Anop Vora has skillfully categorized these transgressions into five distinct groups and offers concise explanations to help readers gain a deeper comprehension of these actions. Dive into the details provided in the article below.
My heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Jasvant Modi on receiving recognition and an award during the Ahimsa Day celebration at the House of Commons in London. The event, hosted by the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) and the Jain All-Party Parliamentary Group, marked the 20th annual Ahimsa Day. It was a gathering that united prominent individuals like Dr. Manish Mehta and dignitaries, representing various sectors, including parliament, Jain and other faith communities, as well as academia.
On the upcoming occasion of Thanksgiving, The Joy of Sharing Foundation (JOSF) extends an invitation to create a significant impact in the lives of those who require assistance. Your contribution of funds to provide meals for the homeless in Los Angeles can make a substantial difference by alleviating their pain and suffering. For about $2.50 per meal, your $25 donation possesses the capability to offer nourishment to 10 ten individuals in need. To discover further details, please refer below.
Let's extend another hearty round of applause to Dr. Nitin Shah, a respected member of our JAINA family. He was honored by Congressman Luis Correa at the 17th Anaheim Health Fair with the prestigious inclusion in the "Congressional Record," an enduring recognition within the United States Congress.
Earlier this year, Jain Acharya Shree Dharma Dhurandhar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb embarked on a historic journey to Lahore and Gujranwala in Pakistan. On the 18th of October, a grand congregation was hosted in Delhi, where Acharyaji is observing his Chaturmas, and he was bestowed with the prestigious title of "Antar-Rashtriya (International) Sant." This remarkable event was graced by the presence of senior officials from the Pakistan High Commission. During this gathering, a proposal was submitted to host the next Chaturmas in Pakistan. We are delighted to share that the concerned authorities are giving serious consideration to this proposal. Our deepest respects and veneration go out to such revered Saint of Jain Samaj!
Sincerely and respectfully,
Haresh Shah,
JAINA President
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Jain Digest October 2023
Adhar Papsthanak Sutra By Anop Vora
The Adhar Papsthanak Sutra, written in Gujarati, is one of the most comprehensive summaries of the 18 sinful activities we perform quite often - some done out of sheer habit and others due to ignorance and lack of awareness. Reciting this sutra with pure feelings and awareness every day gives us a wonderful opportunity to cleanse and elevate ourselves spiritually. Our seers recognized that worldly souls do unwholesome acts without knowing what they are doing. This sutra is designed to bring us back to the path of right conduct.
In this article, Anop Vora has organized the sins into five categories and provided a brief explanation so that we get a better understanding of them. He says, “Instead of repeating the sutra mechanically if we understand its message properly, improve our mental processes, and change our behavior bit by bit every day, it could pave the way for our transformation.”
To read the full article, go to:
read the full article
To read the full October 2023 Jain Digest, go to:
Jain Digest October 2023
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Ahimsa Day Celebration @ House of Commons, London
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The Institute of Jainology (IOJ) and the Jain All-Party Parliamentary Group convened for the 20th annual Ahimsa Day at the prestigious House of Commons, Palace of Westminster. The event served as a gathering ground for esteemed individuals like Dr. Manish Mehta, a distinguished member of the JAINA family, and dignitaries, spanning the realms of parliament, Jain and other faith communities, as well as academia.
This year's prestigious Award was conferred upon Dr. Jasvant Modi of the United States in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the promotion of Jain philosophy. Dr. Modi's dedication was notably reflected in his efforts to establish Chairs in Jainism studies at several prominent universities in the United States and, more recently, at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
The key highlights from the event were;
The launch of the Bhagwan Dharmanath Chair in Jain studies at the prestigious University of Birmingham.
- IOJ presented the Chancellor, Lord Karan Bilimoria, and the Professors from the University with a specially made murti of Bhagwan Dharmanath.
- The announcement of the 4,000 book and manuscript collection of the late Jain scholar Paul Dundas moved to the University
The presentation of the 2023 Annual Ahimsa Award to Dr Jasvant Modi of Los Angeles, California
- Dr Modi has been instrumental in launching numerous Jain chairs in universities across the world
- His vision and generosity have made Jainism a part of modern subjects, such as environment and animal right
The presentation on Arihant Insitute by its Founder and CEO Shri Parveen Jain
- AI offers classes in Jainism and applied Jainism
- It has recently launched an online certified MA program
A presentation by Dr Adrain Plau of the Wellcome Collection
- Wellcome Collection has recently reached an agreement with IOJ to restitute its entire Jain collection.
- WC has approximately 2,000 manuscripts, some over 500 years old.
Resources
- Please find enclosed our Press Release.
- You can access a summary of the event on our website.
- You can access our photo gallery here
- Our list of esteemed Ahimsa Award winners are here.
For captivating images and further insights, please refer to the detailed press release provided below.
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HELP FEED PEOPLE AND SAVE TURKEYS ON THANKSGIVING!
On Thanksgiving Day in 2020, 46 million turkeys were slaughtered - a day of tremendous pain and suffering for these jivas. As the leading voice in the Jain Dharma, JAINA commits to reducing hinsa on this day by feeding jain vegan meals to the homeless, the neglected, and abused children, women, and men.
Last year, we had a great response to the Hot Meals Program, where we fed 90,123 people in Los Angeles. Out of this, 7,500 meals were served during Thanksgiving week. The Joy of Sharing Foundation (JOSF) created meals where harm to any jivas was minimized, and compassion was maximized. This objective was achieved through hot meals that were vegan and Jain. These meals consisted of garbanzo beans and rice, served with a Power Crunch protein bar (donated to us) and a bottle of water.
Attached are a few photos & couple of short videos showing highlights of the 2022 Thanksgiving meals drive. Thank you all who contributed money and time in 2022:
This year, we need your help to feed even more people. You can help reduce pain and suffering by donating money to feed the homeless in Los Angeles. The Hot Meals team has pledged to feed 5,000 people in Southern California. The meals would feed people in a vast area covering Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and possibly San Diego. Each meal costs approximately $2.50, so your $25 donation would feed ten people. We would love your support to continue this work.
DONATE TO JAINA
Many of us are fortunate to have a roof over our head, warmth on our bodies, and food on our plates. There are more than half a million people who don’t have these basic necessities. We can all do a little bit to help ease their hunger and bring a smile to their faces with a meal!
Let’s Feed The Hungry together!
For questions, please contact Dr. Varun Gandhi at 404-232-5564, varungandhiphd@gmail.com &/or Dr. Nitin Shah 562-244-9035. nitinshahmd@gmail.com
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"Congressional Record," Awarded to Dr. Nitin Shah
Dr. Nitin Shah, a distinguished member of our JAINA family, was honored with the "Congressional Record" by Congressman Luis Correa at the 17th Anaheim Health Fair. This recognition, a permanent entry in the proceedings of the 118th Congress on Friday, September 29, 2023, was a testament to his outstanding achievements.
The 17th Anaheim Health Fair, which took place on September 30 and October 1, 2023, saw a record-breaking 450 pre-registered participants seeking medical, dental, and vision care at the Anaheim Convention Center. This year, the event also included a Citizenship clinic on both days.
The collective efforts of the Organizers, the City of Anaheim, GBS Linens, Anekant Community Center, and Lestonnac Free Clinic (LFC) led to the treatment of 1215 individuals by Sunday afternoon. People traveled great distances to receive dental extractions, medical checkups, and eyeglasses – all provided free of charge.
Congressman Lou Correa's office played a pivotal role in supporting the event through advertisements and volunteers. His staff presented the Congressional Record, which was a profound acknowledgment of Dr. Nitin Shah's contributions.
In addition to dental and vision care, patients had their vital signs measured, underwent various medical tests, and received dental services on-site. Vision care services resulted in the provision of 321 eyeglasses, while chiropractors and acupuncturists offered their services to many. Various screenings, including ultrasounds and carotid artery checks, mental health screenings, and HIV testing, were conducted. LFC and Walmart's pharmacists administered 170 flu shots, graciously provided by the Orange County Health Authority.
The event was made even more remarkable by U Turn Lives and Aramark, which provided vegetarian breakfast and lunch to all volunteers, ensuring that this day of service was a true community effort.
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Click here to read full report
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Follow-up on a visit of Acharya Shree Dharma Dhurandhar Surishwarji Maharj Saheb to Pakistan
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Earlier this year, in May, Jainacharya Shri Vijay Dharma Dhurandhar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb visited Pakistan, and after that visit, Acharya ji has been observing Chaturmas in Delhi.
A huge congregation of more than one thousand people was held in Delhi on 18 October 2023, where Acharya Shri was honored with the title of ‘Antar-Rashtriya Sant’ (i.e. International Saint) by different Jain Institutions from all over India as well as local Jain society. The programme was over 5 hours long.
A 5-minute video showing highlights is appended below.
Besides the representation of various Indian Jain Shri sanghs and Jain Sansthans, the function was attended by the Media-Incharge as well as the Visa-Incharge from Pakistan High Commission. The Pakistan officials were felicitated, and they offered to continue support for such future religious trips by Jain Sanghs. The proposal for holding the next Chaturmas in Pakistan was raised and is under serious consideration.
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