An elegant ceremony was organized on October 25th in Miami Beach in honor of HH Dalai Lama by Princess of Vietnam. Dr. Dipak Jain, ex-Dean, Kellog School of Management and Chairman of JERF, the Board of Directors of JERF and many leaders of Jain Society including Samani Charitra Prajna, Samani Chaitanya Pragya, Mr Bharat Desai, Ms. Neerja Sethi and Mr. Rajiv Jain were
present on the occasion. They presented a check to HH Dalai Lama as the second installment of a multi-million dollar plan with FIU toward Bhagawan Mahavir Professorship for Jain studies. This historic professorship was started with the blessings of His Holiness Acharya Shree Mahapragya and HH Dalai Lama in April 2010 on the great occasion of Bhagawan Mahavir Jayanti. It is the first ever Jain Professorship outside India -- a new step towards spreading the teachings of Jain Philosophy like non-violence, pluralism, tolerance and non-attachment to the western world.
Addressing the exclusive gathering, HH Dalai Lama called Jainism and Buddhism "twin brothers" from India. In his meeting with Samanijis, the BOD of JERF and other Jain leaders, he fondly recalled his meetings with Acharya Shree Tulsi and congratulated the Jain community for its vision and effort. He also invited Samaniji and Dr. Dipak Jain to the dais. Dr. Jain spoke eloquently about the Jain studies and research efforts by JERF.
Following the ceremony, a delicious lunch and beautiful cultural program was hosted by Princess Thi Nga of Vietnam. In his address, Prof. Nathan Katz, the first Bhagawan MahavirProfessor and Chair of the Religious Studies department as well as Dean Ken Furton of FIU
appreciated Jain studies at FIU and inspired people of other communities to learn from the Jain community. During a public address on the second day of the program at a well known synagogue, HH Dalai Lama mentioned Jainism many times along with non-possession,
non-violence and self-discipline practiced by the Jain monks. There was much curiosity about Jainism from present media and other attendees at both functions. The visit by HH Dalai Lama
provided a great exposure to the percepts of Jainism to the western world and highlighted the role that teachings of Jainism can accord in resolving the problems of modern day world. |
