04.08.2017 ►JAINA ►Newsletter

Jai Jinendra!

We are thankful to the Prime Minister Shri Naredra Modi for joyful celebration he led in Ahmedabad celebrating 150th Birth Anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandraji. The Prime Minister gave a stirring speech about the Shrimadji as he inaugurated a Five Rupee postage stamp and two coins of one hundred fifty and ten Rupees. He also facilitated P.P. Shri Rakeshbhai Zaveri for the sensational play "Yugpurush" that inspired Gandhiji on the path of Ahimsa.

World Community Service Committee of JAINA has taken the lead to help the victims of flood hit areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Please come forward and let us all stand with them at this crisis. In past also we have helped the victims of Nepal earthquake, Haiti earthquake and Chennai floods.

Warm Regards,
Gunvant Shah
JAINA President
08-04-2017

2. QUOTE

There is nothing as fearful as death, and there is no suffering as great as birth. Be free from the fear of both birth and death, by doing away with attachment to the body.

- Bhagwan Mahavir

Creating Waves on Social Media - Over 10 Million Views:


On the monumental occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary Year of the spiritual luminary Shrimad Rajchandraji, special Commemorative Coins of One Hundred and Fifty Rupees, Ten Rupees and a Five Rupees Postage Stamp bearing His portrait were launched on 29th June 2017 at the Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, India in the presence of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai, founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and at the hands of Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendrabhai Modi.

In a moving address, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai highlighted how Shrimad Rajchandraji’s thoughts and guidance catalyzed Mohandas Gandhi’s transformation to a Mahatma.


Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi expressed heartwarming words eulogizing Shrimad Rajchandraji. He stated, ‘I consider it my great fortune to have had the opportunity of meeting Rakeshji. ’ The esteemed dignitaries present also included Governor of Gujarat Shri Om Prakash Kohli, Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, other Ministers of State and Members of Parliament.

Indrabhuti Gautam was born in a Brahmin family in Magadh. He along with his 500 students became the disciples in Samosharan of Bhagwan Mahavir. For 40 years he remained the main disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir. There have been several dialogues between Gandhar Gautam and Bhagwan Mahavir and that has been one of the bases of knowing principles of Jainism.

The younger brother of Gautam - Agnibhuti was also one of the Gandhar of Bhagwan. He had done lot of hard Sadhana and popularized Jainism. In the time of Bhagwan Mahavir, he attained Nirvana at age of 74.

He was the youngest brother of Gautamswami and he too along with his 500 students took Diksha from Bhagwan Mahavir and he attained Nirvana at the age of 70.

In the city of Rajgrihi, there lived a wealthy merchant named Rushabhadatt. His wife, Dharini, gave birth to a very handsome son named Jambu in 542 BC. He grew up into a very bright and intelligent young man, well-liked by everyone. When he became older, many families were eager to have their daughters marry him. It was a normal practice in those days for a man to have more than one wife. His parents selected 8 girls from reputed families and Jambu was duly engaged to all of them. It was a joyous time for all. One day...

On Wednesday, July 5th, a delegation of twelve Jain youths from India, six boys and six girls, arrived in Washington, D.C. as a part of JAINA’s Youth Exchange Program embarking on a seven-day journey in and around the nation’s Capital. Their tour started with a photo opportunity during day time at various spots in and around Washington, DC: White House, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, U.S. Mint, Smithsonian Museums, Pentagon Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, National Harbor, etc. They also participated in a collaborative dialogue with the officers from Humane Society of the US and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. Through an impromptu meeting, the youth leaders got a chance to meet a White House Special Assistant for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and discuss some of the issues impacting faith based religions nationwide and around the globe, including a recent killing of a Muslim teenager in Virginia during the holy days of Ramadan.



The group was fortunate enough to view the July 4th related fireworks in Howard County, MD as well as visit the Lincoln Memorial during night time to understand the history that created this great nation. Through an interfaith dialogue at a local Cambodian Temple and at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Center, the youth leaders were able to better understand the commonalities that existed between other religions around us and our very own Jain religion. They attended the Panch Kalyanak Pooja organized at our Jain Center where they were welcomed by our dedicated members. After the Pooja, several members stayed back to participate in a very interesting round table format discussion about the motive that brought those families in the USA, as well as some of the struggles they encountered in the past. Each day's events were followed by nightly discussions about what they saw tied in with Jainism and living an effective “Jain Way of Life.” These youths had a lot of great ideas and questions that challenged our thought process at times. It was a great cultural exchange between these youth leaders from India and our own youth here in the US. Additionally, these leaders showed off their superb talents at the Karaoke night by singing along the notes of several Hindi songs. Overall, it was a memorable and educative trip for all involved.

Motivational speaker Sajan Shah from Ahmedabad, a featured speaker at JAINA Convention, engaged in a meaningful conversation at Jain Center of Washington DC. on Sunday, July 9th, 2017. JAINA 2017 Convention Keynote Speaker, Sajan Shah delivered a very motivational talk on “Break your comfort zone and change your belief system”. Sajan is known as the youngest motivational speaker of India and also as the memory man of India. The event was well attended by JSMW members of all ages - from kids to senior citizens.

JAINA's Long Range Planning Committee and YJA co-hosted the first annual Jain Kids Camp at Siddhachalam this past weekend. 30 young Jains between the ages of 8 and 18 bonded through sessions on Jainism, games, outdoor activities, and more! YJA members and alumni served as counselors and speakers.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup corn flour
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp carom seeds (ajwain)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Salt to taste
• Whole wheat flour for rolling

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and knead into a soft dough using hot water.
2. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions.
3. Roll a portion into a 7” diameter tortilla using a little whole wheat flour for dusting and prick it evenly with a fork.
4. Heat a non-stick pan and semi cook the tortilla on both the sides.
5. Place it on a clean dry surface and cut into 8 equal triangles using a sharp knife and keep aside.
6. Repeat step 3 to 5 to make remaining tortillas triangles.
7. Coat each triangle with oil, place 24 triangles on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°c (360°f) for 8 minutes.
8. Repeat step 7 to bake remaining triangles in second batch.
9. Serve with Salsa or store in an airtight container and use as required.