1. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Jai Jinendra!

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary, JAINA & L. D. Institute of Indology organize a seminar on Mahatma Gandhiji and Jainism. More details are given below.

Jain Study Center of North Carolina participated in 2018 Fall Cleanup and adopted a stretch of Highway 54 in Cary between Morrisville Parkway and Airport Boulevard. More details are given below.

Jain Society of Houston held annual Diwali Program. Pictures from the celebrations are given below.

Warm Regards,
Gunvant Shah
JAINA President
12-08-2018

2. QUOTE

One who, being swayed by wishful thinking, becomes a victim of passions at every step, and does not ward off the desires, cannot practice asceticism.

- Bhagwan Mahavir

3. QUIZ TIME

Q 1: What is the Upavas?

Q 2: What is the Tivihar?

4. DONATE TODAY

The tax reform Act have a significant impact on charitable deduction. We strongly urge all of you to take full advantage of maximum tax benefit by writing your donation checks to JAINA and mail it to the address below or by online donation on or before Dec. 31, 2018.

Alternatively, please write check in name of "JAINA" and mail to:
Mr. Atul Shah, 948 John Friend Drive, Naperville, IL 60540 USA

Please ask your tax advisor as to how it will impact you personally. But move fast—there are only few days left in this year to donate.

5. JAINA & L. D. INSTITUTE OF INDOLOGY ORGANIZE A SEMINAR ON MAHATMA GANDHIJI AND JAINISM ON JANUARY 21, 2018

On 150th Birthday Celebration of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhiji, JAINA & L. D. Institute of Indology jointly organize a one-day seminar on ‘Mahatma Gandhiji and Jainism’.

Mahatma Gandhi's contribution to India's independence is unique. He was born in Porbandar town in Gujarat. He took his early education in Gujarat and went to England for higher education; he studied law and received the title of Barrister. During the advocacy in Africa, he met many Muslim and Christian friends. When he got information about their religion, he was tempted to convert in other religion.

At this crucial moment, he got proper guidance from Shrimad Rajchandra whom he had expressed his confusion in various letters. As a result of Srimadji’s guidance, he abandoned the idea of conversion and studied Hindu scriptures. From his studies, he found the way to truth and nonviolence to liberate the Nation. By taking inspiration from the Jain texts, - the shelter of the truth and nonviolence, Gandhiji shocked the rulers of the World. Without the use of any weapon, he obtained freedom for the country. Numerous Jain Pandits, scholars, sadhakas, thinkers, householders, and well-wishers contributed to his Mission generously. Many details of this association are unknown to our generation. The seminar will explore the contribution of Jains in the struggle for independence.

The year 2018-2019, entire India is celebrating Mahatma Gandhi's 150th Birth Anniversary, this seminar will be considered as a beautiful homage to Gandhiji. JAINA extends you a warm invitation to attend this event.

Date: Monday, January 21, 2019,
Venu: L. D. Institute, Ahmedabad
Timing: From 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

6. JAIN CENTERS NEWS

Jain Study Center of North Carolina (JSCNC) participates in Adopt-A-Highway cleanup twice a year. The statewide Adopt-A-Highway program was established in 1988 and is a joint effort between community volunteers and NC Department of Transportation to keep our roads clean. On October 14th, JSCNC participated in 2018 Fall Cleanup and adopted a stretch of Highway 54 in Cary between Morrisville Parkway and Airport Boulevard. This stretch is named in honor of Mr. Lalit Banker.


On November 4, 2018, the Jain Society of Houston (JSH) held its annual Diwali program, a festive holiday filled with dance and musical programs, speeches, and vegetarian food.

7. GIRNAR SERIES

Story #6 Gomedh Yaksha

There was a pleasant and peaceful village called Sugram on the glorious land of Bharat Kshetra. There lived a brahmin who performed various types of yajnas. Several other brahmins also performed various yajnas but this brahmin was renowned for performing the gomedh yajna and thus was called Gomedh Brahmin. Various animals were sacrificed in order to perform a yajna. People blindly believed that it would spiritually benefit them on conducting such butchery yajnas. Gomedh Brahmin was a means in the killing of many innocent animals for the purpose of this yajna.He built a lot of bad karma, as a result of which his wife and sons passed away.

Please click here to read more.

8. YJA UPDATE

YJA 2020 Host City Interest Survey will be released in one week!

Do you think your hometown or city has what it takes to host the next YJA Convention? YJA is looking for an eager group of youth volunteers and the support of an interested Jain Sangh to help us with YJA Convention 2020. Be on the lookout for an interest form to put your city in the running!

9. QUIZ ANSWER

A 1: Upavas means fasting for twenty-four hours from the sunrise today to the sunrise on the next day, during which one does not take any kind of food or liquids but may drink the boiled water. It is prefered if one can do the chauvihar or the tivihar the night before.

• Tivihar upavas ‑ During this, one does not take any food or drink any liquids except the boiled water only.
• Chauvihar upavas - During this, one does not take any food or liquids during the day or the night.

A 2: In tivihar one does not take food of any kind including liquids except water after the sunset until the sunrise next day but can take water.