Table of Content Editorial From the President Upcoming Events Conference in Pomona, California on November 12 to 14, 2010 Pratishtha Mahotstav in Richmond, Virginia November 12 to 15, 2010 JAINA Shikharjee Yatra – January 18 to February 3, 2011 JAINA Convention 2011 Recent Events JAINA Executive Committee Visits 2011 JAINA convention center Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parva Celebrations in USA and Canada Northeast States Southeast States Mideast States Midwest States Western States Southwest States Canada Jain Calendar MIS Ads – Female MIS Ads – Male WELCOME to the Third issue of the eJain NewsFlash! We sincerely hope and believe that all of you enjoy hearing from us more often. You must have realized that Flash is primarily an information resource about the news and events important to you. Publishing Flash enables us to remain in touch with you on a regular basis. This month, we devote our attention to the celebration of Paryushan Parva in the month of September across North America. We are grateful to all the Jain Center representatives across USA and Canada for sending us information about the events/activities hosted at their centers during Paryushan and Das Lakshana. Our special thanks to Shri Nirmal Dosi for compiling the required information to be included in this edition of Flash. It was really inspiring for the eJain Digest editorial team to hear and compile all the Paryushan news from all across North America. We hope you'll continue to send us feedback so we can make the Flash as useful as possible for everyone. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have suggestions for improving this newsletter or questions about Flash. From The President Jai Jinendra! Wish you all a very Happy Diwali and a peaceful, prosperous New Year! Recently I visited Houston and Dallas Centers. Both Sanghs are buzzing with activities in preparation for the 2011 Convention. This is first time a JAINA Convention is being held in the south and many Jains from the southern part of the country will have the opportunity to participate in the Convention for the first time. JAINA Yatra committee is preparing for a Sametshikherji Yatra in January 2011. “99 Yatra of Palitana” is also being organized for November 2011. Our Jain Digest team has done a wonderful job of producing eNewsFlash and sending it to 10,000 families every other month. With Warmest Regards Lata Champsee, President, JAINA http://www.jaina.org eJain NewsFlash – A publication of eJain Digest 2 | P a g e Upcoming Events Conference in Pomona, California on November 12 to 14, 2010 International Conference on nonviolence – Ahimsa and Sustainability Ahimsa Center at Cal Poly Pomona will address the theme of sustainability in its fourth international conference on nonviolence. The conference will feature wide-ranging scholarships and experiences to illuminate the relationship between ahimsa (nonviolence) and sustainability from multiple perspectives. For more information visit www.csupomona.edu/ahimsacenter Pratishtha Mahotstav in Richmond, Virginia November 12 to 15, 2010 It is with great pleasure and pride that Jain Society of Virginia cordially requests your presence with family and friends to celebrate Pratishtha Mahotsav at Richmond Temple from Nov 12th to 15th. The auspicious event will be held under the spiritual guidance of Pujya Shree Manak Muniji. For details visit www.jsrva.org JAINA Shikharjee Yatra – January 18 to February 3, 2011 The Pilgrimage Committee of JAINA is organizing YATRA to Shree Samet Shikarjee and nearby Teerths . The Maha Teerth Yatra will encompass eastern PANCHTEERTHI and include 3 Pahad Yatras (Shikharjee, Rajgir and Lachhwad). The Yatra will start from Calcutta on January 18, 2011 and end in Benaras on February 3. In addition to Shree Shikharjee, visit to following places will also be made: Rujuvalika, Rajgir, Veerayatan, Pawapuri, Lachhwad, Kundalpur, Guniyaji, Nalanda, Bodhi Gaya, Sinhpuri, Bhelupur, Bhadaini and Benaras. JAINA Convention 2011 JAINA executives have decided to hold 2011 Convention in Houston, TX. Please provide your feedback on what you would like to see in the next convention. Recent Events JAINA Executive Committee Visits 2011 JAINA convention center JAINA Executive committee visited JAINA convention center in October 8-10, 2010 meeting. This will be a first convention in South part of the America. JAINA Executive committee met JAINA local convention Board and Jain sangh of the Houston. It is a George R. Brown convention center with attached Hilton hotel. The facility is outstanding. The whole sangh is very enthusiastic. They have already started working on many projects. President Lataben Champsee, Vice President and Convention Conveyer Dr. Sushil Jain with His wife Ashaben, Mr. Udaybhai Jain (S.W. V.P.), Mr. Manish Mehta (Mid West V.P),Dr. K. Deepika Dalal(S.E. V.P.),Vaishali Shah (YJA), Arpan Shah(YJA),Mr. Kirit Daftari (Ex. JAINA President), Mr. Deepak Doshi (Convention board committee) were some of the Outside visitors. Mr. Ashok Damodia (S.E. V.P.), Mr. Dilip Shah (Ex. President), Mr. Yogendra Jain (N.E. V.P.) Mrs. Ritaben Sheth (Treasurer) and Mr. Gunavant Shah (N.E.V.P.) Attended WebEx Meeting. Houston Sangh Hospitality was excellent. Our theme will be “LIVE AND HELP TO LIVE” eJain NewsFlash – A publication of eJain Digest 3 | P a g e Paryushan and Das Lakshana Parva Celebrations in USA and Canada Paryushan Parva: The word “Paryushan” has different interpretations: 1. Pari + Vasan = „Pari‟ means from all sides and „vasan‟ means to stay. Here Paryushan means to stay closer to our own soul from all directions. 2. Another interpretation is – Pari + Ushan = „ushan‟ which means “to burn” therefore paryushan means shedding or burning our all bad karma. 3. The word „Paryupashamana‟ is also used for Paryushan. Therefore a third interpretation is Pari + Upshamana = upshamana which means “to suppress” referring to suppressing negative emotion such as anger, ego, deceit and greed. The collective meaning of Paryushan is to purify the soul by staying closer to it, shedding bad karma and suppressing negative thought, word or deed. The most important part of Paryushan is the practice of daily meditation and prayer providing an opportunity to look inward and outward, towards the teachings of the enlightened Jain Tirthankaras, for religious guidance. The origin of Paryushan: The origin of Paryushan is related to monks halting in one place for the rainy season termed “chaturmas”. This word refers to the length of the rainy season of about four months. As monks settled in towns for a longer duration, householders could renew their faith by listening to the statement of the Dharma and by meditation and vratas (self-control). The festival of Paryushan: Jain scriptures make reference to Lord Mahavira, the 24th enlightened Tirthankara, starting Paryushan on Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami. The date for the Paryushan festival is, therefore, the fifth day (“panchami”) of the Shukla (“bright”) phase of the Bhadrapada month for both major Jain sects – the Swetambars and the Digambars. Svetambar Jains celebrate an 8-day festival ending with Bhadarpada Shukla Panchami. The last day is called Samvatsari. Since it coincides with Paryushan, the terms “Samvatsari” and “Paryushan” are sometimes used interchangeably. During the 8-day festival, the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira – the fourteen dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, his life, and his liberation is recited. The Kalpa Sutra also recounts the lives of other Jain Tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan. The Digambar Jains observe Paryushan over 10 days starting from Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami. During this time, the “Das Lakshana Parva” which celebrates 10 characteristics of dharma such as gentleness, austerity, truth, renunciation, chastity and humility is undertaken. The Tatvartha-sutra of Umaswati is recited. Overseas, various Jain centers have been established with the presence of samans and samanis (monks and nuns) who are part of a new order created especially to attend to Jain communities residing outside India as well as established scholars to encourage participation in the festival and rituals and keep their faith alive. eJain NewsFlash – A publication of eJain Digest 4 | P a g e Jains often take time off from daily chores during this period and eat a much simpler diet. They add to their normal vegetarian restrictions by avoiding such foods as potatoes, onions, and garlic to avoid eating that which entails killing the entire plant instead of just taking its fruit. Many Jains also fast during Paryushan, some for the entire period and others also observe the Paushadha Vrata, the practice of monkhood for a day or more while fasting. A special indication to celebrate Paryushan: • Practice „Samayika‟ i.e. equanimity • Control food intake • Read spiritual books (minimum 15 minutes) • Speak less and use kind words (observe 1 hour silence) • Meditate for a minimum of 20 minutes • Control your anger • Send vibrations of friendliness to all living beings everyday By following such a life-style, one can develop spirituality within the self. These activities purify one‟s emotions and thereby consciousness. Paryushan is the time to fill the qualities lacking in our lives. The process of shedding our karmas really begins by asking for forgiveness with true feelings, and by taking the vow not to repeat mistakes. The quality of forgiveness requires humility (absence of ego) and suppression of anger. One of the great aphorisms to ask for forgiveness is: Khamemi savva jive, Savve jiva khamantu me; Mitti me savva bhooesu, Veram majjha na kenai. I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; My friendship is with all living beings, My enmity is non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony, and prosperity for all. The conclusion of the festival leaves behind a deep impression in the heart and minds of every Jain wherever they may be in the world.