21.04.2018 ►JAINA ►Newsletter

Jai Jinendra!

Hope all Varshitap tapasvis are in sukh-sata and had wonderful parna on Akshay Tritya.

Great to hear that Jain Center of Southern California decided to serve vegan food in all future programs. This is a bold step taken by JCSC EC and its leaders. Khub Khub Anumodna to JSCS from JAINA.

Warm Regards,
Gunvant Shah
JAINA President
04-21-2018

The nights that have departed will never return. They have been wasted by those given to unrighteousness.

- Bhagwan Mahavir

Q 1: How many Paryaptis do five-sensed Jiva have?

Q 2: How many Prans do five-sensed Jiva have?

Akshay Tritya/Akha Teej, the day when all Varshitap tapasvi's shall have parana with Sugarcane Juice after their tap of 400 Days. Lord Rishabhdev did it with 400 Upvas but has been kind enough on us to provide us a way to do it with Upvas on Alternate days with Biyasnas on other alternate days & Balas (2 Upvas) in between when upvas day is followed by Tithi so all Varshitap tapasvis do more than 220 Upvas. The story behind the festival in jainism is written in Harinvansh Puran and Padam Puran.

The Day of Akshay Tritiya is worshipped and is auspicious in Jainism because it has established the very first "AHAR CHARYA" a methodology to prepare and serve food to Jain Monks. Lord Rishabhdev denounced the worldly pleasures after dividing his vast kingdom in his 100 sons.

The Executive Committee of the Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) announced on the Mahavir Janma Kalyanak day that the Jain Center will serve only Jain Vegan food at all future programs of the Jain Center.

On Mahavir Jayanti Day, it served complete Vegan food to more than 1000 people who attended Shri Mahavir Jayanti program in the evening. All members were very appreciative of the action.

This is the first Jain Sangh in North America who took such a bold step. This is a history making decision for all Jains of North America as well.

JCSC President, Dr. Modi’s main point is that Jains should not consume dairy products due to animal cruelty (Jainism’s main tenet is non-violence), and its detrimental effects on human health. We should serve only vegan food at our Center and this will provide a good example for other Jain Centers of North America. We need to educate members of our center that why we should consume only vegan food. This way our members not only at the Jain Center but at their home also consume vegan food.

For about last 15 years Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji’s full time mission was to promote Veganism among Jain communities across North America, India and other places in the world. His tireless effort to promote Veganism finally produce great results in North America.

The message of Bhagwan Mahavir had spread far and wide and the impact was felt by the common people as well as the kings and the emperors.

One of the chief devotees of Bhagwan Mahavir was Shrenik Bimbisar, the king of Magadh. His son Abhaykumar was also Mahavir’s chief devotee and there are historical references about him in the records of the Swetambara and Digambara tradition, and also in the ancient Buddhist Majjhima Nikaya. It is also believed that Abhaykumar had once met and honoured Gautam Buddha. This reflects his reverence for other religions.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wheat germ (slightly big grained)
• 1 cup jiggery or sugar
• 3 cups water
• 3/4 cup ghee
• 1 tbsp. almonds peeled and slivered
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder

Method:

1. Boil together 1 cup water and jiggery or sugar till fully dissolved.
2. Cover and keep aside.
3. In a heavy sauce pan heat ghee.
4. An aroma must exude. Boil remaining 2 cups water.
5. Add to roasted wheat germ, cook till grain is tender, and water is absorbed.
6. Add hot sweet-water. Strain while pouring in.
7. Stir gently, and cook till all water is absorbed and ghee separates.
8. Sprinkle cardamom powder, half almonds, mix well.
9. Garnish with remaining almonds.
10. Serve hot.

Excited for this year’s YJA convention theme? Then let YJA know what ‘Reconnecting with Our Roots’ means to you by participating in this year’s Essay Contest! Submit a 500-word essay for a chance to win a $100 gift card and be featured in our souvenir book! Please send all submissions to by 11:59 PM CST on May 13th.

A 1: Six

A 2: Ten