Young Minds is a publication by the Young Jains of America
Edition: Fall 2008- YoungMinds_2008.pdf
Click on image to download the PDF.
Table Of Contents
Welcome Message from Co-Chairs
page1
Non-violence of Thought: Controlling Anger
page 2
Jain Perspectives
page 3
Why Do Jains Celebrate Diwali?
page 4
Be GREEN! Is it a Color or a Lifestyle?
page 5
Dear Atma
page 6
Shardule’s Corner
page 7
Ahimsa and Vegetarianism: Small Words, Big Impact
page 10
Low Fat Vegan Brownies Recipe
page 11
Regional Updates
page12
Pratishthas around the U.S
.page 14
Meet the 2008-2009 Executive Board of YJA
page 15
Donate to YJA!
page 18
Welcome message:
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Young Minds. Our goal is to keep the readers connected, informed, and entertained with articles across North America. As you leaf through the remaining pages of this edition, you will find a completely new make-over on the newsletter. This year’s Director of Publications, Sheenika Shah, and Director of Public Relations, Vaishali Shah, have been hard at work in order to include new sections and spreads in the Young Minds newsletter, including a “Dear Atma” column.
Less than a month ago, the newly elected board flew to Phoenix for a three-day board meeting. It was a very productive “meeting of the minds,” where we each brainstormed new projects and discussed both short-term and long-term plans for YJA. This year’s executive board members are all very energized with ideas ranging from canned-food and used-books drives, to planning regional conferences, to getting geared up for the upcoming bidding process for the site of the next YJA convention! We look forward to initiating many of these projects this year, but we need your help to make each project a success. The best way to get involved is by contacting the regional coordinator in your region.
This current edition falls in concurrence with Diwali, also known as a the “Festival of Light.” Diwali is also the last day of the Hindu and Jain calendar, which follows the lunar-based year. On this day, Mahavir Bhagwan attained Nirvan (liberation) by eradicating himself from the bondage of Ghati karmas. Jains celebrate this day by fasting, going to the temple for darshan, and/or reciting bhajans and sutras. Mahavir Bhagwan’s message was simple - “all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, form, how spiritually developed or undeveloped, are equal and we should love and respect them.”[1] We focused this issue on the first of Mahavir Bhagwan’s five principles, the Principle of Ahimsa (Non-violence).
If you would like to contribute your writings to be included in future editions, please forward them on to [email protected]. Also, if you would like to get more involved with YJA activities, contact your Regional Director - they are always looking for more youth support and input.
…And of course, you can always contact us at !
Regards,
Your 2008-2009 YJA Co-Chairs,
Sonia Ghelani and Ami Doshi