Federation Of Jain Associations in North America
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Sincerely, | |||||
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| Possessions are obstacles to liberation. The more a person possesses in worldly wealth the more he may be unhappy and the more likely he is to commit sin, both physically and mentally. | |||||
| - Bhagwan Mahavir | |||||
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| STORY ON PRINCIPLE OF APARIGRAHA | |||||
 There is no scarcity of things in the world but out of greed we go on accumulating things. In this context I am reminded of Mahatma Gandhi’s prophetic vision “there is enough for every body’s need but not for anybody’s greed”. Gandhi used to go to Sabarmati River with a glass and would take the water in a glass and come to the bank of the river to wash his face and hands; somebody asked him, “Entire river is flowing here. Why do you take only one glass of water?” Gandhi said, “I need only a glassful of water to wash my face and hands. Why should I pollute Whole River which is meant for the birds, beasts and other human beings also”. His every action suggested that he was a practicing environmentalist, long before environmental protection became fashionable in the West and elsewhere. Lord Mahavir has also preached to be careful about apkaya Jiva (life in water bodied beings). Geeta Mehta Mumbai, India. | |||||
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| JAIN SOCIETY OF NORTH TEXAS - DIWALI CELEBRATION 2016 | |||||
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Jain Society of North Texas (JSNT) hosted Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvan Kalyanak celebration on Oct 30th 2016 in Dallas Texas. The event was celebrated with great fanfare by over 1100 attendees at the JSNT campus. The festivities began at 9:00 am in the morning with Mahavir Bhagwan Nirvan Pooja at Adinath Digambar Jin Mandir and Ashtaprakari Pooja at Dharmanath Swetamber Jinalaya. 125 Patshala Students enthusiastically performed various skits, stavans and dances promoting the message of Bhagwan Mahavir. The audience also participated in an exciting game of Kahoot hosted by the Pathshala kids. Videos of all performances can be viewed at www.dfwjains.org JSNT also recognized all the Tapasvis from Paryushan & Das Lakshana Maha Parva during the Tapasvi Anumodna at the event. The celebration concluded with a delicious Diwali feast. | |||||
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| SUVIDHINATH SWAMI | |||||
 Suvidhinath Swami is the 9th tirthankar of the Avsarpanikal. He was born to King Sugreev and Queen Rama in Kakandi Nagri. He had 88 gandhars and he attained nirvana at Samet Shikhar. He took 3 bhavs to attain moksh after Samyak Darshan. His topic of first sermon was Ashrav Bhavna. Bhavna mean thought process of human beings. It is not the action but the intention behind the action that results in the accumulation of the Karma. For pure thoughts and to drive out the evil ones, Jainism recommends different Bhavnas or thoughts. Term Ashrav means coming of karmas. Yog of mann(thought), vachan(speech) and kaya(action) causes the influx of karmas. This is called Ashrav. While doing the chintan of Ashrav bhavna one should think of 42 ways through which karma comes that is - 1) The inflow of karma is caused by the 3 fold action of body, speech and mind. 2) 5 senses- having feeling of attraction (raag and dwesh) towards anything experienced by 5 senses leads to inflow of karma. 3) 4 kashaya- krodh(anger), mann(thoughts), maya and lobh(greed) leads to inflow of karmas. 4) 25 kriyas (actions)- 25 types of different kriyas that we do in our daily life also leads to inflow of karma. 5) 5 vows. So we should we aware of these 42 reasons of Ashrav in detail and should try to avoid these reasons of inflow of karma to maximum possible extent. | |||||
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| To kick off the holiday season, we hope you'll give to YJA during our #givingtuesday campaign. Giving Tuesday started as an international day of giving and is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. These donations will fund YJA's initiatives such as regional retreats, online pathshala classes, launching college chapters, and setting up our new integrative website and mobile app. You can help support YJA's initiatives by donating online anytime between now and 11/28 at www.yja.org/givingtuesday Additionally, YJA will be hosting Thanksgiving Navkar Jaaps to reflect on and pray for the over 46 million turkeys are consumed as per Thanksgiving tradition through a celebration of peace at the following locations. • Jain Center of Greater Boston | |||||
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| We are happy to announce that the next Jain Milan in-person event will be held from December 2nd - 4th (Fri-Sun) at Embassy Suites Newark Airport, New Jersey. Over 60 Youths have already registered! Jain Milan is an opportunity for Jain youths age 22 and older to meet in person,to make friends, to engage in networking, and to find a life partner. In the past Jain Milan sessions facilitated the interactions through Ice-breakers, interactive sessions, speed dating, mixers, meet & greet events, relationship workshops, and Garba-Raas. Though online and email communication help to a certain extent, nothing comes close to meeting potential suitor in person. Jain Milan is organized to encourage our Jain youth to meet other Jains for the purpose of matrimony and to facilitate face-to-face meeting in a comfortable, welcoming environment. to view and Download Jain Milan 2016 flyer. | |||||
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