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PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
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Jai Jinendra!
Wish you and your family Happy Diwali and spiritually enlightening New Year! The
mode and significance of Diwali Parva is multi-faceted, varying according to mythology
and scriptures. In Jainism, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the attainment of
Moksha by Bhagwan Mahavir. The act of illuminating homes and temples with lamps
to celebrate this parva guides us to light up our inner vision by implementing the
path preached by Bhagwan Mahavir.
JAINA is happy to announce introduction of BLOG, another step in digital world.
Please take advantage of Blog and share your idea, opinions and feedbacks with others.
Sincerely,
Ashok Domadia
JAINA President
Chairman - JAINA BOD
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QUOTE
OF THE WEEK
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Where there is neither pain nor pleasure, neither suffering nor obstacle, neither
birth nor death, there is Nirvana.
- Bhagwan Mahavir
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MAHAVIR
NIRVANA KALYANAK
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Mahavir Nirvana Kalyanak Divas is one of the most important day in our calender.
On this day Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Jain Tirthankar had attained the bliss of
Nirvana (liberation) on the dawn of Amavasya of the Ashwin month 527 B.C. at Pawapuri.
To this day, this occasion is celebrated as Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolising
the perpetuation and universalisation of His truth-revealing and soul-illuminating
light of knowledge, in His physical absence.
This is the last day of the Hindu and Jain calendar year. The celebration involves
fasting, recitals of hymns and reading of Uttaradhyayan Sutra, which contains the
last sermon of Bhagwan Mahavir.
New Year begins with a glorification of Gautam Swami (chief disciple of Bhagwan
Mahavir) and we listen to the Nine Stotras. Bhagwan Mahavir is worshiped on this
day and sacred scriptures are recited. Devotees assemble at Pawapuri (Bihar) to
offer their prayers as Pawapuri was the place where Bhagwan attained Nirvana, this
Parva is also celebrated with great gusto in Girnar (Gujarat) and also worldwide.
From a social aspect the occasion is celebrated in a traditional manner by greeting
and offering sweets to the loved ones. The Jain year starts with Pratipada (a day
after Diwali).
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IMPORTANCE
OF UTTRADHYAN SUTRA
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Shri Uttaradhyayan Sutra is revered as Bhagwan Mahavira’s last sermon. where in
He imparted invaluable knowledge continuously for 48 hours before attaining nirvan
in Pawapuri. It was about 1000 years later that Shri Devardhigani Kshamashramanji
compiled this immortal treasure-trove of wisdom in its present form, which has been
preserved till date. Through 36 chapters Shri Uttaradhyayan Sutra offers insights
into a variety of subjects ranging from fundamental doctrines of Jainism and Jain
Codes of Conduct, to interesting narratives that nourish spirituality.
Similarly we all should follow Uttradhyan sutra as it was last sermon of our Bhagwan.
Today in many temples worldwide, Uttradhyan sutra is worshipped on the day of Mahavir
Nirvaan Kalyanak- Diwali.
The first chapter of Uttradhyan Sutra starts with Vinay –Respect to our Tirthankars,
Dharmaguru and Kevli Prarupit Dharma. The last chapter is on Jiva Jiv Pravibhakti-
means here Bhagwan has explicitly mentioned divisions and sub divisions of Living
and non living beings.
There are 4 types of Anuyog accoding to Anuyog Dwar Sutra. They are as follows-
1. Dravyanuyog- it includes those Aagams which deals with 6 dravyas and 9
tatvas for example Jivabhigam Sutra, Uvavai Sutra.
2. Charankarnanuyog- it includes those Aagams which deals with the aachar/characters
of monkhs. For example Acharang Sutra
3. Ganitanuyog- it inclides those Aagams which deals with the length, sizes,
numbers and calculations of Sashwat(permanent) things like Devlok, Dweep and samudras
and naralok etc. for example Janbudweep Pragyapti Sutra, Chandrappragyapti Sutra.
4. Dharmakathanuyog- it includes those Aagams which deals with religious
stories. For example Gyatadharmakatha Sutra, Vipak Sutra.
Out of all the Aagams, Uttradhyan Sutra is the only Aagam in which all the 4 Anuyog
are included.
1. Swadhyay of Dravyanuyog purifies our darshan/smaiyktva.
2. Swadhyay of Charankarnanuyog purifies our Character/Charitra.
3. Swadhyaya of Ganitanuyog increases concentration power.
4. Swadhyay of Dharmakathanuyog purifies our Knowledge/Gyan, Darshan and Character/Charitra
and also strengthens our belief.
Therefore once in our life time we all should go through Utradhyan Sutra.
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JAINA
INTRODUCES BLOG
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To share your views/suggestion/Comments on JAINA blog follow steps below:
1. Sign in at www.jaina.org
with your ID and password or Register at top left (New Member)
2. Click on "Blog" on left.
3. Share your views in comment section of blog
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VALUE
JAINA PROVIDES TO JAINS OF NORTH AMERICA
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JAINA is the largest Jain Organisation Outside India.
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ACTIVITIES
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BENEFICIARY
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VALUE
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JAINA Calender
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15,000 families
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$7 per calendar= $100,000/Yr.
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Jain Digest Magazine
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Free Jain Digest mailed 15,000 families(3 per year)
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$5 each = $60,000/Yr.
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JAINA Convention
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JAINA event for 4,000-7,000 Jains
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Subsidy of $150 per attendee
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JAINA eNews letter
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Weekly news letter sent to 15,000 families
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$30,000 per year
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Mangalam TV Show
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Community Organization
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$30,000 per year
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Jiv Diya
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Feed and shelter animals in India
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Govt and Public Affairs relationship
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Events in White House, Capitol Hill, United Nations and Parliament of World Religions
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JAINA website
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www.jaina.org
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Upliftment Program
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Helping disadvantaged students
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Pathshala Education material
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3500 pathshala students
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Jain Milan
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Connects Jain youths for matrimonial purpose
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Young Jains of America
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Conducts YJA Convention with 700+ youth attendee.
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Young Jain Professionals
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Jain Professional Youths in North America
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JAINA partners with organizations like JITO
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Jain Community
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E-Library
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Precious collection of Jain literature.
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99 Yatra
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Palitana Yatra.
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Master Schedule
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Helps visitors plan their visits in each center
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Social Media
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Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Blog
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TAX DEDUCTIBLE
DONATION TO JAINA
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JAINA continues to strive to expand its programmes and offerings to the Jain community
of North America. JAINA's mission is to spread the principles of Jainism to maximum
homes and especially our youths and children. In order to meet our mission and provide
services to the community, JAINA relies on community members for their valuable
support. Without your support JAINA would not have achieved any of its goals.
JAINA request you to contribute generously to JAINA General Fund. Each Donor's name
would be published in our website, next newsletter, and social media where
JAINA has prominent presence as Anumodna
JAINA acknowledges the valuable contributions of the following Donors to-date:
- Usha & Mahesh Wadher ($5,000)
- Jyoti & Ashok Domadia ($2,525)
- Sulochana & Gunvant Shah ($1,008)
- Mamta & Ashok Shaha ($1,000)
- Kirtida & Prakash Mehta ($501)
- Swati & Haresh Shah ($501)
- Dr. Raj Patil ($351)
- Rita & Ketan Sheth ($351)
- Bhanumati Chhabil Mehta ($251)
- Arvind Mohanlal Shah ($101)
- Sudha Shailesh Shah ($101)
- Prerit Shah ($21)
- Sharad Jain ($20)
- Ajay Doshi ($11)
You are just a click away from a tax deductible donation to JAINA- your own community
organization.
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