It has become almost a tradition among non-Jains to celebrate Mahavira Jayanti at their place of worship in Suffolk County continuing nearly 20 years of annual ritual barring the COVID-19 years.
The leader of the group and founder of the ‘Gathering of Light’, Rev. JoAnn Barrett kicked off the celebration by extending a warm welcome to all followed by Navkar Mantra recitation led by Dipti Mehta who helped coordinate Jain youth participation. There were resounding Jai Jinendra too often by all present.
Diya Shah flawlessly presented a story of Mahavira Swami to convey messages of compassion and forgiveness. She must have worked hard to memorize it though she kept a paper to be on the safe side.
Next was a very touching and inspirational message on compassion towards living beings by John Di Leonardo highlighting his work to stopping famous circuses where animals were abused in the name of entertainment, rescuing birds and animals, saving them from cruelty and slaughtering to his own personal life from school days to trip to India and transforming his lifestyle along with his wife Juliana.
Words of Wisdom from The Jain Declaration On Nature by Dr. L. M. Singhvi presented by Aimee Pirrone. (Photo courtesy: Arvind Vora)
Astute readers may have noticed Anuvrat articles of his in this esteemed publication for almost the last two years.
Equally impressive presentation was made by Shri Nitin Ajmera, Chairman of the Parliament of World Religions. Covering all previous speakers’ summary with zeroing on Jain views to care for earth he cited the example of vegetations and trees as living beings which got confirmed by science upon invention of microscope while our scripture and our lifestyle knew this for millennia. In the same way he conveyed several examples that water, fire, earth are living organisms and by misusing, mistreating them we are digging our own graves.
Pathsala (religious school) students of Jain Samaj of Long Island did a very impressive performance. They set a good example to be at the church by 9:30 am on a Saturday dressed up in a festive costume befitting the occasion of birth anniversary of Tirthankara Mahavira. They got more clapping from all present.
Two popular songs “Imagine” and “Let there be Peace” were sung by Zach Mandermach and Carolina Campero.
“JAYANTI KA AVSAR” - Auspicious Moment - presentation by students of Jain Samaj of Long Island Pathsala (Photo courtesy: Arvind Vora)
On a concluding note Arvind Vora, Jain and Chairman of Long Island Multi Faith Forum narrated the progress of Jain principles and its impact from the early days of late 1960s with Mahavora Jayanti celebrations at the Indian Consulate to having Jain temple on Ithaca Street in Queens to next one in New Hyde Park to the third one in Hicksville.
Jains with active participation have contributed more than their fair share be it at the UN, Parliament of World Religions-tradition that stretches from 1893 to present, Religions for Peace, and many interfaith organizations like Long Island Multi Faith Forum.
Jains are praised and appreciated for their principles and practices when there is only one Jain for seven hundred people!
The program ended with a delicious lunch of Jain food catered by Curry Club of Port Jefferson which was praised equally by Jain and non-Jains.
- Arvind Vora
