08.12.2017 ►JAINA ►Newsletter

JAINA continues to strive to expand its programs and offerings to the Jain community of North America. JAINA's mission is to spread the principles of Jainism to maximum number of homes and especially our youths and children. In order to meet our mission and provide services to the community, JAINA relies on community members for their valuable support. Without your support JAINA would not have achieved any of its goals.

Farther ahead on the same side as one-hundred pillar temple is the small shrine of Acharya Sri Dhaneshwar Suri. He is widely respected for his epic work the Sri Shatrunjay Mahatmya, a 9000 stanza detailed history and description of Shatrunjay and its significance to Jains.

When paying respect to an Acharya, we join our hands, bow and say “Mathhen Vandami”. Acharya can also be called Guru or mentor.

Look closely at the idol. On either side of the guru are small idols, sitting and touching the guru’s toe.

What does this represent?
When a Guru is in deep meditation and his disciples need his attention urgently, they press his toe to call him out of his meditative state.

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

The members of Lighthouse Center in Whitmore Lake, MI (a group of about 300 American Jains who are disciples of Gurudev Chitrabhanu and Pramodaben for many years), Humane Society and few other Jain residents in Ann Arbor (including a past JAINA Regional VP Manish Mehta) have been involved in a protest movement known as Friends of Ann Arbor Wildlife in Nature (FAAWN) to urge the City to (a) stop Deer culls in city parks where people and pets would be in danger; and (b) adopt and pay for non-lethal ways such as sterilizing the female deer or not growing types of plants that attract the deer in the first place. FAAWN's main reasoning to "Stop the Shoot" is that "All Lives Are Precious" (what Lord Mahavir said in his Deshna).

FAAWN requests your prompt and overwhelming response to an online petition drive to protest the killing of 350 deer which will occur during 2017 winter by Order of the City Council of Ann Arbor, MI in a dozen o the city's parks and even on the University of Michigan's campus where many Jain students live or study. One does not have to live in Michigan or USA to sign this petition.

Click Here to the petition

In the Jambu continent on the sides of the mountain Meru, there is a mountain called Samabhutala (level-surfaced). In its 7200 miles territory there are clusters of planets. Beyond it there are crores of Yojanas, and going beyond them, there are dwellings of gods like Saudharma and Isana. Beyond this, there is the tenth heaven which is known as Pranata. In this heaven the age limit is up to twenty Sagaropama.

Jain Society of North Texas (JSNT) hosted Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvan Kalyanak celebration on Oct 15th 2017 in Dallas Texas. The event was celebrated with an excellent attendance of over 1000 attendees. The festivities began at 10:00 am with Pooja at Digambar Jin Mandir and Ashtaprakari Pooja at Swetamber Jinalaya. After the Pooja, over 125 Pathshala Students enthusiastically performed skits, stavans and dances to present Jainism principles of Bhagwan Mahavir. Thanks to the JSNT members who generously participated in fundraising goals and JSNT exceeded the goals. Pictures of the performances can be viewed at .

JSNT recognized all the Tapasvis from Paryushan & Das Lakshana MahaParva during the Tapasvi Anumodna at the event. The celebration concluded with a delicious Diwali feast which was cooked by over 50 volunteers in the JSNT kitchen.

Thank you all that donated to YJA's Giving Tuesday campaign! These funds will help our initiatives such as college chapters, regional retreats, and Jain Sangh outreach. If you are still interested in donating, you may do so at .

YJA CLOTHING DRIVE

YJA's two favorite things are coming together this year - a little interregional rivalry, and a whole lot of giving - just in time for the holiday season! YJA is hosting its second annual Clothing Drive from Dec. 1st to Jan. 15th to benefit families in your community that may be ill-prepared for the winter. From the gently-used coats at the back of your closet to the jeans that fit a little tighter than you'd like to admit, we'll take all of your new and gently-used clothing articles! On board with donating?
Of course you are! Check out to see where the nearest drop off location is to you!

A 1: Those Arihants who reestablish Jain Tirth are called Tirthankar Arihants.

A 2: Those Arihants who do not reestablish the Jain Tirth are called ordinary Arihants.