Raleigh, NC - USA: 15.02.2019
Jain Study Center of North Carolina and JAINA Education Committee have jointly organized the Jain workshop from Friday Mar 22nd, 2019 to Sunday Mar 24th, 2019.
This workshop had a great success in past five Workshops conducted in Raleigh, NC (two workshops), Atlanta GA, Washington DC, Dallas TX and Los Angeles (CA). Please view few photos of these workshops by clicking the following two links -
http://www.jainlibrary.org/$workshop4/02_jain_workshop_photos.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pOJnb1Yn86IDshtsItwGsSuB2WZTWiWD/view?usp=sharing
Workshop Theme
STRIKING A BALANCE: - EXAMINING Social, Cultural, and Spiritual environment that we adults and our youth face while growing up in North America
The workshop takes Jainism beyond being just a religious identification for people. It discusses the fundamentals, which can be easily applied in our daily life. The workshop uses interactive method of Learning and Communication, which needs debates, discussions and open mindedness. The workshop is not a lecture format where the audience has very little input in terms of participation and discussion… to continue to read the further course description, please go to the end of this email or click the following link -
http://www.jainlibrary.org/$workshop4/01_workshop_overview_and_major_topics.pdf
Workshop Purpose
The main purpose of the workshop is to educate Jain community at large both adults and youth (over 14 years of age)with regards to the fundamental principles and philosophy of Jainism and how to apply these principles in all walks of life through practical examples. This includes social, business, family, ethical, religious and spiritual environment.
Workshop Moderator
Workshop moderator is Pravin K Shah, Jaina Education Committee chairperson and Jain eLibrary Project in-charge. The entire workshop is in English with some Hindi/Gujarati explanation.
Workshop Duration and Location
Date and Time
Mar 22nd, 2019 Friday 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (includes Dinner time before sunset)
Mar 23rd, 2019 Saturday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Lunch, and Dinner time before sunset)
Mar 24th, 2019 Sunday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (includes Lunch)
Workshop Location
Days Inn - Raleigh Airport,
1000 Airport Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560 | (919 469 8688)
Workshop Material
The hard copy of all workshop presentations (more than 300 Power point slides) and all reference material (several Jainism books) will be given at the workshop.
Food
Simple Vegan healthy Jain food will be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all three days. No fried foods will be served as a way to promote healthy living.
Paper Product
All paper products such as plates, bowls, napkins, and glasses will be used of eco-friendly, bio- degradable, and from recycled materials.
Workshop Registration and Fee:
The registration fee is $50.00 per person. It includes all meals (lunch, and dinner) and workshop material. Please follow the link below to register and to make payment via PayPal or Credit card.
Registration Form Link:
Please fill-in the registration form by clicking the following link
http://bit.ly/JW7_register
If you have any difficulty to filling out the Workshop registration form or if you have any other question, send an e-mail to Raj Salecha email >> [email protected]
Free Registration for the past JAB participants and Coaches. An anonymous donor has sponsored the past JAINA JAB, YJA JAB participants. If you are a past JAB participants, please complete the following registration form and on PayPal/Credit Card link, please pay only $1.00 instead of $50.00. This way we will know that you are a past JAB candidate.
Please do not wait. We will close the registration once we reach to 40 participants. In case you do not attend the workshop after registration, your registration fees will be refunded in full.
Hotel Accommodation:If you need Hotel accommodation, please indicate in the registration form. We will contact you within couple of weeks and provide you the details of the Hotel.
If you have any question with regards to workshop, please contact us at [email protected] or the moderator.Moderator:
Pravin K Shah
919 889 1900 Cell
[email protected]
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Overview of Jain Workshop
The workshop takes Jainism beyond being just a religious identification for people. It discusses the fundamentals, which are easily applied in our daily life. The workshop uses interactive method of Learning and Communication, which needs debates, discussions and open mindedness. The workshop is not a lecture format where the audience has very little input in terms of participation and discussion.
After the several sessions on Jain axiom (postulate) and fundamental principles, the workshop delves into the brain storming discussion on powerful and thought-provoking questions that have no absolute answers. It includes the social and cultural perceptions as well as stereotypes and generalizations from both youth and adult’s perspective.
We will be digging deep, challenging ourselves/our limiting beliefs and exploring new possibilities. The discussion will provide insights into questions that are important to our youth in order to develop them spiritually, ethically, and socially in the western world.
While often difficult to reconcile divergent influences, it is critical to understand the distinctions and strike a balance amongst Indian heritage, Jain religion, spirituality and Western lifestyle. Regardless of your current level of understanding, you are bound to walk away with a new expanded view.
Major Steps of Workshop
Introduction
Review of the rules and disciplines participants need to follow during workshop.
Introduction of each Participants including his/her professions and one most important question he/she would like the workshop to discuss.Presentations
We have thoughtfully chosen some of the most important topics to be discussed in the workshop.
Ø Fundamental concepts of Jainism
Ø Uniqueness of Jain Karma Philosophy and its application in daily life.
Who governs the events of the Universe? Is it Free-will? Or Karma? Or are they are predestined?
Jainism says that it is not our action but intension behind our action bind us with karma then why do we give significant importance in doing as many rituals as possible and almost no importance in understanding these rituals?
Ø Jain Concept of Punya and Pap Karma.
Is Punya Karma really a hindrance to attain Keval Jnan or liberation? Is Jainism a selfish religion? It emphasizes only personal spiritual progress but not emphasizing helping poor and needy and be compassionate to others.
Ø Holistic Spirituality - Ahimsa, Compassion, Environment, and Health.
Why do Jains use Ahimsa conveniently? On one hand Jains restrict the use of some plant foods and on the other hand allow the use of many animal products like milk products, silk, pearls, wool, leather (this product is obtained by exploiting and slaughtering five sensed animals).
Jain views on suicide and the death penalty
Can you explain the significance of the vows? Is taking a vow necessary for penance to progress spiritually?
Ø Path of Liberation.
Can you define Samyaktva and how would I know when I acquire it?
What is the difference between ordinary Jnan (knowledge) and Samyak Jnan?
Are doing Jain rituals like penances, puja, Samayik and Pratikraman defined as Samyak Charitra?
Why Jain ascetics disperse their human waste on street in the cities of India and create health hazard for the common people. Is it a Samyak charitra?
Ø Explanation of various Spiritual stages of life (Gunasthanak)
Ø Jain Literature and their history.
What are the important changes that occurred over the 2500 years of history of Jainism. Why do we blindly follow the certain traditions, which have no significance in current the environment
Ø Jain Vows (Conducts) of Laypeople
What is the role and status of women in Jainism? Why women cannot perform certain Jain rituals? Why are women not allowed in temple or to do puja, prayer etc… during their monthly biological cycle that is necessary for our existence?
Jain views on Abortion. Whether under any circumstances is it allowed or not? Abortion as women’s choice. How about abortion to save mother’s life.
Jain View on Birth Control?
Social Issues - Cheating, bribing, tax evasion, amassing wealth by any means exists in Jain societies. Where did Jain teachings go wrong?
Ø Jain Universe.
How can we claim Jainism is a scientific religion when there are inconsistencies in our scriptures such as they claim that earth is flat, not moving, and it is the center of the universe? It explains that the Moon is bigger than the Sun, farther away from Earth than the Sun, no one can reach the Moon. Also, the location of hell is below the Earth, and heaven is above the Earth and many others claim that have been proven wrong.
Ø Comparative Religions
All other religions and their cultures which are positive in nature treated properly and equally respected (recent survey shows that about 70% Jain children are marrying Americans).
When we declare in our Sutra that Jain (my) religion is the best among all religions, it only boosts our ego. It is not a spreading of our religion. The statement clearly violates Anekantwad and also violates one of the basic Jain principle which states that “We Jains always need to look our faults and others’ virtues”. This is how we can reduce our Kashay and karma.
After the completion of the above presentations, most of the participants will be able to answer most of the questions that may come across during their daily life. Some of the questions may not have simple answers and there could be more than one answer.
Jain workshop