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Convention To Explore The Theme: `Jainism in the New Millennium'

Arthur J Pais

More than 2,500 Jains from across North America are expected for the 10th Biennial Jaina Convention to be held near Philadelphia early next month. The Federation of Jain Associations in North America is one of the most visible of Indian community organizations.

Devendra T Peer, president of the Samarpan Jain Sangh that hosts the convention, said the convention board chose the theme, Jainism in the New Millennium, mainly to focus on Jain immigrants in North America, and how the second generation could preserve their heritage even while joining the mainstream.

There are about 150,000 Jains in North America out of 2.5 million people of Indian origin.

The convention is scheduled between July 2 and 5 at the Valley Forge Convention Center/Sheraton Hotel in King of Prussia.

Among the highlights of the convention are seminars and workshops conducted by Indian and American experts on Jainism.

The cultural activities consist of the staging of K M Munshi's play, Patan ni Prabhuta by Jain artists in New York tristate area.

The convention will also come up with suggestions in strengthening JAINA. Among the many on-going activities of the organization are the publication of Jaina Digest and charitable works in America and India.

In October 1998, JAINA organized a first ever pilgrimage from North America to Samet Sikhar with 64 yatris.

The organization has decided to conduct an annual pilgrimage.

In another significant development, in co-operation with the Jain Center of Greater Boston, JAINA organized its first Quadrennial Pathshala Teachers Convention last May. Since then three more regional teachers workshops have taken place; JAINA is preparing a uniform Pathshala Curriculum in cooperation with Jain Study Center of Greater Boston.

For more information about the convention, write to Samarpan Jain Sangh, 9701 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115; (215) 677-9919.

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