31.12.2017 ►JAINA ►Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Jai Jinendra!

We are in last week of this year 2017. JAINA wishes you and your family a Happy New Year in advance. The year has been a very memorable year for JAINA with remarkable achievements.

This is your last opportunity this year to donate and make JAINA financially stronger organization. Please check the link below and take advantage of Income Tax benefits especially available to US members only for year 2017. Please ask your tax advisor as to how it will impact you personally.

Warm Regards,
Gunvant Shah
JAINA President
12-31-2017

QUOTE

A sramana devoid of the knowledge of Agama does neither know himself, nor others.

- Bhagwan Mahavir

QUIZ TIME

Q 1: Where are the current Arihant Bhagwans?

Q 2: How many minimum Arihant Bhagwnas can be at any given time?

DONATE TODAY

The tax reform will have a significant impact on charitable deduction in 2018. We strongly urge all of you to take full advantage of maximum tax benefit by writing your donation checks and mail to JAINA address below or by online donation on or before Dec. 31, 2017. Please ask your tax advisor as to how it will impact you personally.

By Bloomberg

At the end of every year, millions of Americans can make strategic moves to shave a few bucks off their tax bill. Right now, millions more should be able to get into the act now President Trump signed the Bill into Law in Oval Office that fundamentally restructures the U.S. tax code. New tax rates and countless other provisions would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. Most of the old rules would still apply until the end of 2017—and that gives individuals a shrinking window of time to employ strategies that would lower their taxes. So, here are suggestions from accountants, financial planners, and other tax experts on how to make the most of this opportunity. Keep in mind that the best advice depends specifically on how you’re going to be affected by the new tax Law.

While most Americans would get a tax cut in the short term, some taxpayers could see higher tax bills in 2018. If your taxes are set to spike in 2018, many of these strategies won’t work as well. But if you’re part of the majority who will see an initial tax benefit from the law, there could be big benefits for acting soon.

Deductions claimed for things you did this year will lower 2017 tax bills. This year, beefing up your charitable giving could be even more effective. If your tax rate is falling in 2018, your deductions are more valuable if claimed against 2017 income. Giving to charity is an effective way to boost your 2017 deductions. Even if your tax rate is going up next year under the new Law, you may still want to make a bunch of charitable donations in 2017. This Law would sharply limit the number of taxpayers who would benefit from itemizing: First, it raises the standard deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for single people and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples. Second, it limits other deductions—most famously for state and local taxes—so it’s harder for taxpayers to reach the threshold where itemizing makes sense.

So, you might want to think about making several years of charitable donations this month if you can afford it, said Philip “Rusty” Ross, a financial adviser at Financial Wealth Advisors based in Oklahoma City. But move fast—there are only few days left in December to donate.

DONNERS LIST

SHATRUNJAY SERIES

STORY #34: MAIN TEMPLE

This is the main courtyard. This is a busy place. Men in white “dhoti”, which is traditional attire, and women in saris are probably walking around with bronze plates filled with flowers and sandalwood paste. These are for worship.

Glance up to see the 78-foot tall ornamental spire of the main temple.

At the doorway, before walking into the main temple, devotees will touch the floor and utter the word - “Niss-see-he”, three times. It signifies that they are leaving worldly thoughts at the door and entering the temple.

The Adinath idol you see here is 2.16 meters or 7 feet tall, carved in white marble with eyes of crystal. The idol is seated in the Padmasana posture. Devotees offer flowers and sandal paste to the deity as they approach the statue for worship.

This is where the final fifth of the five required ritual of Chaityavandan is performed.

If we followed the Jain process, we would enter the main temple last, after we have finished the circumambulations.

Click to read the story & listen to an amazing audio clip in or .