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JAINA Newsletter:Jain International Conference in India, ISJS Winter Program, JCN, etc.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE


Dear Sadharmik brothers and sisters,
Pranam & Jai Jinendra!

I am proud to see how JAINA has grown all these years in North America and has made a special place in our hearts. I am immensely happy to announce that we are working to take JAINA to a new height by planning the first Jain International Conference in one of the major cities of India in January 2020. JAINA wishes to take the theme of Jain unity to India, which is being practiced in North America for years. See below for more information.

International School of Jain Studies is back with the 2nd Jain Studies Winter program. This free of cost program aims to focus on Jain philosophy and way of life. More details are given below.

Read on how Jain Center of Greater Phoenix and Jain Study Center of North Carolina celebrated Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parva 2019.

Sincerely,
Mahesh Wadher
JAINA President

JAINA’S FIRST JAIN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN INDIA


We are excited to announce that JAINA is planning the first Jain International Conference in Ahmedabad, (India) in January 2020.

As you know, JAINA (Federation of Jain Associations in North America) established in 1981, is the largest association of Jains outside of India. JAINA represents more than seventy Jain Sanghs in the US and Canada with a combined membership of more than 125,000 Jains without distinction of sects, language or place of origin in India. JAINA is admired around the Jain world for our unity, unified Jain Temples and our Biennial Conventions.

JAINA is seeking cooperation from the World Jain Confederation to have annual International Conferences to be held in different major cities in India under the same theme since we both have Similar goals of bringing Jain unity in India and around the world.

The purpose of this conference is to promote religious and educational activities related to Jain religion and to promote understanding of Jain religion on a non-sectarian basis. In furtherance of the above-stated objective, we wish to create an international forum where institutions can come together to discuss and design programs that promote studies of our Jain Dharma. JAINA's philosophy is to work with all segments of our community to Protect, Preserve and Promote our precious heritage with noble goals. Our Biennial Conventions, wherein we invite scholars and dignitaries from all over the world are a good example of how we attempt to meet that responsibility. But we also recognize that not everyone can travel to the USA, hence a proposal to create a meet in India.

Stay tuned for more updates!


ISJS WINTER PROGRAM 2019-2020


International School of Jain Studies (ISJS) is back with the 2nd Jain Studies Winter program. ISJS has conducted 15 Summer schools. In December 2018, ISJS offered its first Winter program in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. This year, the program aims to focus on Jain philosophy and way of life. The program is free of cost to the attendees.

Program Dates: Dec 28, 2019 - January 7, 2020.
Application Deadline: November 20, 2019.

For more details about the program, click here. To apply for the program, click here.

JAIN CENTERS NEWS


Jain Center of Greater Phoenix


On September 15, 2019, Jain Center of Greater Phoenix celebrated the successful completion of Paryushan and Das Lakshana Maha Parv by recollecting the highlights of these 18 days and encouraging all the tapavis by felicitating them. They had Bhakti, Gahuli competition, Rass Garba, Jain Sanedo, Tapasvi Felicitation and Aarti which was followed by Swami Vatsalya lunch.



Jain Study Center of North Carolina


Jain Study Center of North Carolina (JSCNC) observed Paryushan from Aug 24-31, 2019. The occasion was celebrated with Bhakti, Puja, Bhavna and Pratikraman held at various host locations.



Singers and musicians at the Puja and Bhavna had put in a lot of effort and did a splendid job at leading many stavans and dhuns. JSCNC also expressed Anumodna and recognized little tapasvis in a special way at our monthly meeting.


THE THEORY KARMA SERIES


The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Karma is deeds, including thoughts and words. Karmas are invisible, fine particles of matter prevailing all around us just like the air particles.

The Jain Dharma considers Karma as an independent and separate entity. It has been calculated in terms of Pudgalas because the body is made up of Pudgals. Hence Karma is also made up of Pudgals.

The impact of Karma and pudgalas on the soul is deep. The relationship between the soul and Karma is without beginning. Though Karma becomes inert, it envelops the soul in the form of energy. It is not correct to think that the soul was pure once and that later it became enveloped in Karmas. The soul and Karma have been bound together always and that has no beginning. Of course, it is possible to prevent new Karmas from entering the soul. Jain darshan believes that Karmic particles are a physical substance that is everywhere in the universe. The Karmic bondage occurs as a result of the two processes, Ashrava and Bandh. Ashrava is the inflow of karma. The karmic influx occurs when the particles are attracted to the soul on account of Yoga. Yoga is the vibration of the soul due to activities of mind, speech, and body. However, yoga alone does not produce bondage. The karmas have effect only when they are bound to the consciousness. This binding of the karma to the consciousness is called Bandh.

But it is also possible to discard and destroy the karmas that have collected to the soul and are clinging to it. Gold is found mixed with rocks. In the mines, they cut the rock, take out the pieces and by various physical and chemical processes, pure gold is separated from these pieces of rocks. In the same manner, even the soul can be made bright and pure by discarding and destroying all karmas. It is possible to discard and destroy the karmas that are seated in it exercising an unnatural sway over it and it is possible to deliver the soul from their power. When terror and impact of all the karmas are discarded, the original radiant form of the soul shows itself.

JAIN STORY - DEV DARSHAN KA PHAL





QUOTE


It is better to win over the self than to win over a million enemies.


- Bhagwan Mahavir

YJP UPDATE


Have a business idea you've been dreaming about? A social need you want to address? Involved with an early-stage start-up ready to take-off? Looking to network in the start-up space?

YJP is excited to launch its own version of a "Shark Tank" competition! Young Jain professionals between the ages of 21 and 42 are invited to pitch business plans addressing social needs for a chance to raise funding and secure mentoring opportunities. Pitches will be evaluated by a panel of distinguished MBA program faculty members, successful entrepreneurs, and potential inventors across 2 categories: seed and early-stage.

Please see http://bit.ly/YJPSharkTank for details. Submissions are due on September 30th! Contact communications@yjp.jaina.org with any questions.



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JAINA is an umbrella organization of 70 Jain Centers, in North America, with a mission to preserve, practice, and promote Jain Dharma and Jain Way of Life.
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