PUJYA SHRI ATMANANDJI SAHEB’S SAMADHI MARAN

JAINA EC and JAINA Board of Directors extend their deepest condolences to everyone at Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra, Koba on the peaceful Samadhi Maran of Pujya Shri Atmanandji Saheb (Dr. Mukundbhai Soneji).

PujyaSahebji's divine soul left the body at 10:58 am on 19th January 2020 at the age of 89 at Koba Ashram in presence of saints and hundreds of sadhaks who witnessed peaceful passing.

Sahebji’s life demonstrated the power of Love and Peace in making this world a better place and will remain an abiding inspiration to all. Sahebjis’ teachings will guide everyone to walk on the spiritual path of Love and compassion.

INTERNATIONAL JAIN CONFERENCE AT AHMEDABAD

The first International Jain Conference in Ahmedabad jointly sponsored by JAINA, JITO (Ahmedabad Chapter), World Jain Confederation and Shrutratnakar Trust concluded on January 19 with lots of applause, appreciation, and enthusiasm for Jains working together across the national borders on a continuous basis.

The two-day conference was attended by about 400 attendees including 30 scholars from all over India UK and the US and Sadhus from Koba and Sadhwijis of Veeraytan. The conference opened with welcoming speech by the host of the conference Dr. Jitendra Shah of Shrutratnakar Trust. He explained the significance of the conference theme – how the Jain principles can address urgent world problems of terrorism, environmental degradation and unequal distribution of the wealth and natural resources.

In his welcoming speech, President Maheshbhai Wadher, spoke of what is JAINA and emphasized need to work together to bring our Teerthankar’s message of Ahimsa, Anekant and Aparigraha to the world by a united Jain community without distinctions of sects, languages regions or nationalities.

The first keynote speaker Shri Vallabh Bhansali, a leading investment banker, Venture Capitalist and Capital markets expert of the country described the challenges facing the Jain community. He emphasized that instead of just talking about it, we need to internalize Mahavir’s principle in everyone’s heart. The second keynote speaker Shri Shailendra Mehta, spoke on the ancient Indian tradition of great University systems like Taxshila, Nalanda, Vallabhi and Vikramshila. Just as these Universities have had a profound impression on the history and culture of India, a Jain University by an International consortium can become a valuable contributor to the cultural heritage of India.

All the invited scholars presented thoughtful and well-researched papers. A journal with a synopsis of all the papers (printed and online version) will soon be published by Shrutratnakar.

Additionally, the conference was enriched by the presentation of various Jain activities that keep Jainism vibrant in India and around the world.

• JAINA inaugurated a Beta version of the new multimedia web portal “JainLexicon.com” – first-ever Jain dictionary on the web developed by our Past JAINA President Dilip V. Shah of Philadelphia. The web portal is an open platform and invites everyone to view it, edit it or add to it.
• Two books – reprint of “AgnyanTimir Bhaskar” by Acharya Shri ShriAtmaramji Maharaj in Hindi with fresh edits and a new forward and the first-ever book on Gujarati verbs by Dr.Srideviben Mehta were inaugurated. Also, a third volume of “Ahimsa World” magazine was launched.
• A documentary on research done on Ashtapad Teerth was presented by Dr. Lataben Bothra.
• A one-act play on the life of Pahini Devi, mother of Acharya Shri Hemchandracharya was performed by Archana Shah of Mumbai on the evening of the 18th which was very well received. The play reminded the audience how much (almost 90%) of Shri Hemchandracharya’s scholarly work is lost or forgotten due to the negligence of the Jains.
• The amazing motivational speaker Rahul Kapoor Jain presented a lecture on Leshyas in his unique dramatic style.
• Shrutbhavan of Pune presented a video highlights of their project of collecting various editions of our ancient handwritten manuscript of Agam Granths; correcting any of the printing or grammatical errors, and issuing a new revised edition that gets sent out free to over 300 important Jain Libraries.

The conference ended by joyful approval of 6 resolutions by the audience:

1. There will be another such conference next January on expanded basis.
2. Closer cooperation between JAINA, JITO, WJC and Shrutratnakar will be developed
3. Provide maximum support to JAIN LEXICON project
4. Consider establishing an online Jain University.
5. Support for the courses on the art and science of ancient Jain Manuscript preservation and dissemination.
6. Everyone pledged to be not just an ideal Jain Shravak or Shravika but to also become an ambassador of Jain Dharma.

Pure Jain breakfast, lunch and dinner were served to all the attendees on both the days.

QUOTE

The greatest mistake of a soul is non-recognition of its real self and can only be corrected by recognizing the self.

- Bhagwan Mahavir