JAI JINENDRA!

Welcome to the Young Jain Professionals (YJP) newsletter. YJP’s mission has
always been to increase the awareness and understanding of Jain principles and
heritage in our daily lives by connecting young Jain professionals. YJP is
broadening its reach throughout North America by promoting new initiatives and
inviting all young Jain professionals to actively contribute their creative energy and
ideas.

Read on to find out how you can become involved

at all levels!

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

 2010 Mid-Year Events…………………………...2

 Announcements & Stay Informed.…………….3
 Diwali Stories……………………………………4
 Recipes…………………………………………..6
 Vegan
Cosmetics…..............................................8
 Young Jain Professional Interview……………10
 Yoga / Meditation Column……………………..12

PUBLISHED & EDITED BY:

NIVEA KOTHARI

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjpoinline.org

2010 Mid-year events:
YJP Events in Northeast:

April:
• April 3 to 6: Jain Leadership Conference at Siddhachalam in New Jersey
• April 18: Earth Day Volunteering at Pelham Bay Park, New York
• April 21: Supporting the Health School Meals Act (policy advocacy)

June:
• June 4 to 6: Convention in Bahamas
• June 10 to 21: Volunteering at Asthapad Pratishta Mahotsav ceremonies in New York

July:
• July 24: Boston Dinner at Grasshopper & Dancing near Harvard Square

August:
• August 28: DC Dinner at Penange & Walk in Georgetown at the Water Fountain

September
• September 25: New York Dinner at PongSri Thai & Billiards at Slate
• YJP in the Northeast successfully launched what hopes to be the first in many community
initiatives. A Clothes Drive was carried out through the help of local temples in NY and DC
during the period of Paryushan through Thanksgiving. The clothes will be sent to Pakistan in an
effort to help with the flood victims and other areas where there is a need. Some of the clothes
were also sent to other places in need within the U.S.

October
• October 10: Bowling at Lucky Strike in DC
• October 23: Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
• October 30: Dinner at Peace O’Pie Gourmet Vegan Pizza in Boston

November
• November 27: YJP volunteered their help at the local temple level in celebration of Thanksgiving
and helped organize and systemize the libraries at the DC temple and the NY temple. This is an
effort to help spread Jain knowledge through proper division of books in English, Gujuarti, and
Hindi so as to facilitate an easier process for people to pick up books and read without being
overwhelmed with all the different books in all the different languages.

December
• December 11: Ice Skating Event at Central Park’s Wollman Rink

Pictures of the events are posted online:

o On the YJP website: http://www.yjponline.org
o On the YJP Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/yjponline?v=photos

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

Announcements:
YJP Needs You!!

You
A young, Jain professional, either a college graduate or working full-time, who is interested and
passionate about learning about Jainism, and working with other Jains though social and
community service events.

Us
A young, dynamic organization that strives to provide innovative, interactive events, resources,
and forums to bring out the Jain in you!

YJP Is Your Organization!

It's through the collective efforts of its members who share their passion, interests, and skills that
YJP continues to grow. Play your part in the future of YJP!

Join YJP and get involved as an Executive Committee member!

Positions Include:

o Midwest Regional Coordinator

o Southwest Regional Coordinator
o West Regional Coordinator
o Secretary

If you are interested in working with us and filling the open positions, please send an email
to yjpcochairs@gmail.com.

Stay Informed:
Become YJP member at: http://www.yjponline.org (Be sure to choose "Young Jain
Professionals” as the Member Type)
YJP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18312282928
YJP on Twitter: http://twitter.com/YJPOnline

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 Nostalgia Hits a New Yorker on Diwali
By Riddhi Shah

I couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 years old, but I remember celebration of Diwali in
India. It’s strange how you can remember something when you are that young, but you can’t
remember what you had for dinner yesterday. How can I describe you the excitement and
enthusiasm of every kid—young or old? The day full of treats, and a night worth remembering;
everyone waits for Diwali for months. The countdown begins even before the summer is over,
and the process starts and that’s the excitement.
Diwali is about fireworks and food, visiting neighbors and family, decoration and
cleaning. Colors of rainbow are seen on Diwali! New clothes, new styles, and the excitement I
had when I was going to get to show my new dress when my family and friends came over. It’s
unexplainable!
Snacks and sweets are an important part of Diwali tradition. The sweets are made with
such ingredient as coconut, nutmeg, raisins, cardamom, nuts and sugar. One of my favorite
dishes includes jaleebi and gulab jamun.
On Diwali night, the silence is forbidden; the loud and ear shattering sound of
firecrackers are heard. In India I used to live in flat, so all the kids would come down on Diwali
night and we would light the fireworks. The night is alive with lights from diyas and fireworks,
and darkness is forbidden.
The light is the essence of Diwali; diyas light up the rooftops of every mansion and every
hut all over the towns; every household is full of light and full of life. It is hard to describe; the
feeling and the enigma of Diwali night is beyond what words can capture. The thundering sound
of the fireworks and the glow of night-lights get lost somewhere in the translation, the translation
from one culture to another!
The Christmas in New York is equivalent to Diwali in India, meaning that the charm of
that holiday is there, without being there it feels empty and unlike a holiday. The Diwali scene
in India is so unique; the festival involves so much desi culture and many Indian traditions.
Diwali abroad, it’s different; by the crowds in the Indian stores, one can tell that the
Indian families are preparing for the big day. However, none of the stores display the fire-
crackers, and there are no sweets being prepared fresh. The shopping experience is not the same
either. I believe if it weren’t for our parents and family, I think I would barely notice Diwali’s
arrival.
Diwali in America comes at inopportune time; students’ usually have school or college
and adults have work, thus the fun and preparation does not usually begin until the weekend, and
the excitement starts to dissipate. Those who have heard about it or read about it, but never been

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

to Diwali in India, can not appreciate the euphoria it brings. It is hard to describe the feeling of
warmth, joy and excitement – all combined into one.

Jain Festival of Lights (Diwali)

By Palak Shah

Being born and growing up in India, I enjoyed the real traditional beauty of Indian festivals and its
significance to our core values. Religion is a part of life for every Indian, in general. Marcus Bach, an
American researcher, says; “Scratch an Indian and you find a philosopher. Listen and you will hear talk
about the ways and wonders of Gods. Look and you will find a shrine in every village, and the telltale
signs of worship in nearly every home. This is India.” Now, I would like to say that being both an Indian
and a Jain is truly a fortunate thing not only to cherish our human birth but also to make it worthwhile by
pursuing the footprints of our Tirthanakars. Jain festivals are unique as they are not focused merely on
enjoyments and entertainments but essentially the celebration of spiritual enlightenment and devotion for
the Paramatma (Supreme soul).
Among all Jain festivals, Diwali is the most auspicious since it is the day of the Nirvana
Kalyanaka (attainment of absolute bliss) of Lord Mahavir. Diwali is actually called ‘Dipawali’ (the
Festival of Lights) in the memory of Lord Mahavir who was the Universal Dipak destroying darkness of
ignorance. At night of Diwali, Jains meditate with the Jap (repetition of holy hymns) of 'Shri Mahavir
Swami Sarvgnaya Namh' means bowing down to Omniscient Shri Mahavir Swami and at midnight the
Jap of 'Shri Mahavir Swami Parangataya Namh' means bowing down to Shri Mahavir Swami who
became successful in destroying all karmas and attaining Moksha.
On the early morning of the next day the chief disciple of Lord Mahavir, Shri Gautam Indrabhuti,
achieved Kevalgnyan. This day is known as the 'New Year Day,' and Jains begin their New Year with the
recitation of mantra 'Shri Gautam Swami Sarvgnaya Namh,' the epic prayer of Gautam Swami and Nav-
smaranas (nine holy hymns). In India, Murtipujak Jains aim to visit at least five Jain temples around the
city on the New Year day. After all religious rituals in the morning, finally they get together for social
jubilations and express their sweet wishes of Happy New Year to everyone they meet.
Some holy people fast on both days of Diwali and New Year, and read the Uttaradhyayan Sutra
which contains the final message of Lord Mahavir. Something important that I can’t forget is how
minutely little pathsala kids follow the principle of Non-violence by refraining themselves from
performing fireworks and even from watching others doing it; that is truly wow to their vows at very
young age.
After I moved to U.S. in 2004, I traveled around several Jain centers from Boston to Ohio to
Chicago, and I was glad to see that our Jain festival customs are sustained; actually in a more disciplined
way. During five days of Diwali occasion, many poojans such as Laxmi poojan, Sarasvati poojan,
Ghantakaran Vir poojan, and Gautam Swami poojan are performed mostly at every Jain center of U.S.
following by a New Year party for senior citizens, adults, and Young Jains of America. Moreover, Jain
student associations at universities are very active in transmitting the significance of our Jain festivals.
After spending six years in the U.S., I feel it is a great honor to be a Jain Indian American in order to
carry out our great heritage of Jain festivals.

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 At last but not the least, I just want to wish you Happy Diwali and hope every year Diwali may be
a harbinger for you to bring brightness in your life as well as the glory of Lord Mahavir sheds new light in
your heart and soul.

Recipes
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
 3 bell peppers
 1 ½ cup cooked black beans
 1 cup corn
 1 cup cooked rice (or 1 cup quinoa)
 1 ½ tsp cumin
 1 tsp salt to taste
 1 tsp red chili powder to taste
 1 oz cheese (optional)
 1 medium tomato chopped
 Nonstick cooking spray
 1 tsp olive oil

Directions:
1. Prepare the bell peppers by first cutting them in half lengthwise and removing the seeds. Then
place them in a half of inch of boiling water until they are tender, for about 10 minutes.
2. While the bell peppers are boiling, preheat the oven to 350° F and spray a 9" x 13" pan with
nonstick cooking spray.
3. Next heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the red chili powder, cumin, and
black beans, mix. Then stir in the rice (or quinoa), salt, and the tomato.
4. Fill the bell peppers with the mixture and place in the 9" x 13" pan. Cover with aluminum foil
and bake for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove foil and sprinkle with cheese and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes or until the
cheese has melted (optional step)

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

Easy Tofu / Spinach Lasagna
Ingredients:

 1 box of cooked lasagna noodles (your preferred variety)

 1 tsp olive oil
 1 package firm tofu
 ¼ cup of cheese (optional)
 Seasoning: oregano, red chili powder, black pepper, salt to taste
 1 frozen 10 oz chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry or 1 lb fresh sautéed spinach leaves
 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
 Veggies (green peppers, zucchini, etc.)

Directions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, saute your
favorite veggies (green peppers, zucchini, etc).
2. Rinse/drain/crumble the tofu. Combine the tofu, veggie mixture, and spinach. Add seasonings
and mix.
3. Spread a layer of marinara sauce into a casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with
noodles, add a layer of the tofu/spinach mixture and pasta sauce. Repeat layers of noodles, tofu
and spinach, and pasta sauce. Top with noodles and marinara sauce. Sprinkle with cheeses
(optional).
4. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes.

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 Review of Vegan Cosmetics
By Rachana Modi

These days many cosmetics companies boast to be “Cruelty free”, signifying that they do not engage in any
animal testing. Vegan cosmetic companies go a step further and ensure their products do not contain ingredients
derived from any animal source. The most common animal byproducts found in cosmetics include: carmine or
cochineal which is a coloring agent made from ground insects, lanolin a moisturizing agent derived from sheep, and
beeswax (less common byproducts include: elastin, hyaluronic acid, lactose/lactalbumin, lard, propolis,
propylparaben, silk derivatives, squalane, whey, and tallow).
There are several cosmetic companies that only sell vegan products, for example Beauty without Cruelty,
Ecco Bella, and ZuZu Luxe. Most are found exclusively online or at local natural food stores. Other more readily
available cosmetic companies do have certain products/shades that are vegan. Urban Decay easily identifies their
vegan products by placing a purple paw print next to the item in stores and online. Also, it’s important to consider
the materials used in cosmetic brushes when applying your makeup. Unless a makeup brush is specifically labeled
as synthetic, taklon, or nylon there is a high chance it contains animal hair. Aveda, Origins, The Body Shop, and
Urban Decay Good Karma brushes are not made from animal hair. Covergirl and L’Oreal products are included in
the what ‘Not’ to use column due to the fact that they made PETA’s list of companies that do conduct animal
testing. The items illustrated contain carmine as well.
When I began my review, I decided to start by checking if my current makeup staples were vegan or not. I
was able to find the ingredients either online, on the product, or by calling the customer service number of the
company. Here is what I found:

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 Product Vegan/Non Vegan, Reference
MAC studio fix power plus foundation and MAC select Vegan (MAC customer service).
moisture cover in all shades
MAC fluidline in backtrack Vegan (MAC customer service)
MAC lipglass in Viva glam V Vegan (MAC customer service, however she indicated
that some shades of lipglass do contain carmine)
Urban Decay 24X7 eyeliner in Zero Vegan (online/instore)
bareMinerals compatible blush duo (joyous Not Vegan (Carmine, listed on the product label)
jennifer/sorbet)
Benefit Bad gal last mascara Not Vegan (beeswax, online, I then checked Urban
Decay’s Big Fatty Waterproof Mascara it also contains
beeswax)
bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer Not Vegan (beeswax, online)
NARs Lip Lacquer in cabiria Not Vegan (Carmine, online)

I was surprised to find carmine in products I frequently use and animal byproducts in a mineral based
cosmetic company. In my quest to find vegan alternatives, I decided to try the Urban Decay vegan palate, and since
I had no vegan mascaras, Ecco Bella’s Mascara in black. The Urban Decay Vegan palate included an eye primer, an
eye liner in black and 6 eye shadows. I already use the Urban Decay 24X7 eye liner and like its easy application,
long lasting, and waterproof properties. I found that the shadows were also long lasting and the pigmentation was
vibrant in all the 6 shades. The Ecco Bella Mascara, which I found at a local natural foods store, was not
waterproof. I also noticed the coverage was lighter than I expected, but it did lengthen the lashes with no smudging
or clumping.
From my examination I was encouraged to find that most major cosmetic brands do offer vegan
alternatives. Just by reading the ingredients list prior to buying a product, it can prevent unnecessary usage of
animal byproducts without compromising the quality of your cosmetics.

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 Young Jain Professional Interview with Ambika Bumb
By Monal Mehta

1. Tell me a little about the work you do.

I’m developing nanotechology to help image and deliver therapeutics for various diseases, such as cancer.
While today many therapies are delivered systemically throughout the body by the blood stream, the idea
here is to reduce negative or toxic side effects by engineering a vehicle that targets specific sites of
interest. Once we see that is has reached, it can then be non-invasively activated for therapy, such as to
release a drug or kill cancer cells by heat.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

I always liked engineering and medicine and so to get the best of both worlds chose biomedical
engineering. Somehow luck played out, and I was fortunate enough to have the chance to go abroad on
scholarship to Oxford University for a grad school. I started the PhD based on advice from various mentors
and really because it wasn’t an opportunity I could turn down. But, along the way I realized just how
exciting and fulfilling being on the cutting edge of nanomedicine is. At various stages I toyed with the
idea of medical school and industry, but certain experiences, particularly time on a traveling health clinic in
Himachal Pradesh, made me realize that improving on current medical techniques and medications is where
my passion lies.

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 3. Does your work require you to work with animals and in what capacity? And how do you reconcile
that with being Jain?

Any new agent that is developed has to be thoroughly evaluated before it can be used to treat patients. I
primarily design nanotechnology, but these agents at some stage are examined for effectiveness and
toxicity in a living system, be it in animals or cells. Jainism is reflected in my choices and decisions when
it comes to choosing when it is the right time to move into animals and, when studies are designed, to
minimize the number as much as is possible. I do my best to encourage colleagues to also conduct their
research in an ethically conscientious manner. Most Jains take medications or undergo treatments that
were at some point developed or studied in living organisms, and how frequently do we stop to think about
that before popping an aspirin? Having responsible researchers designing smart studies in the development
stages is a way to minimize ahimsa. Similar to the principles used to support the medical community and
doctors, Jainism also plays out in my line of work.

4. Knowing what you know now about this profession, if you could go back, would you still choose the
same path?

Yes. What I love about it is, that I can never imagine being bored; there’s always something exciting to
look forward to. Because this work is self- directed, I can explore whatever it is that I want to learn about
and hope that in the process that exploration will make a difference somewhere in the endI love a quote by
Isaac Asimov: “There is a single light of science, and to brighten it anywhere is to brighten it everywhere.”
I hope that when I look back years from now that my work has contributed a little something to general
knowledge.

5. Any advice to young Jain professionals who might be dealing with difficult decisions in their
professional or personal lives?

Don’t delay self-reflection. Anything that you do which makes you feel uncomfortable, pause then to
evaluate it. Take the time out, talk to family, friends, mentors and maybe even religious leaders, and sort
through your beliefs and how they are relating to your actions. You don’t want to go five or ten years
ignorant or feeling confused or guilty about something you have done. You want to be happy as you’re
going through it. Questioning things near the beginning is the best thing to do

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 Yoga / Meditation

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

 By Bela Shah

As the sun began rising and the ocean waves lapped gently against the shoreline, my body curved
into a backbend, creating a shadow in the sand. Sweat dripped down my face in crooked streams.
Suddenly an ocean wave crashed against a nearby rock, breaking the rhythm of silence. I fell into the
warm sand, salty water gushed into my pores, and my eyes squinted against the sting. I felt so alive. As
my energy flowed into the ocean, its waves gave back a cool, refreshing embrace. The sun was now half
awake, stretching its golden rays with a slow and thoughtful yawn. Yoga on the beach with the rising sun
is like no other experience.
I began practicing yoga near the end of law school because I heard it was supposed to be a great
stress reliever. I could honestly say that I felt exhilarated after my first yoga session and wished that the
feeling would last throughout the day. Everything seemed possible and not as daunting as before and my
head cleared of all the clutter. While all forms of exercise release endorphins, the difference I have
experienced with yoga as opposed to running or aerobics is the concentration of my mind on the rhythmic
flow of my body in harmony with my breath. For several minutes throughout a single yoga session, I find
myself truly living in the present moment and there is something inexplicably amazing about this simple
achievement. After continuing with my yoga practice for a few more weeks, I began to think about its
larger purpose other than to release stress.
There have been several articles recently, for example in the New York Times and the Guardian,
that explain why living in the present moment impacts our overall state of happiness. Without regretting
or reliving the past or worrying about or planning for the future, we find ourselves simply content with
what is right now. Echart Tolle, in The Power of Now, elaborates on this idea. He articulates that by
being in the here and now, we can release ourselves from all the anxiety and stress that blocks our life
force, our prana. He describes the million worries we carry with us from the moment we awake to the
final seconds before we fall asleep, but he asks an interesting question. “What percent of our list of
worries and stresses are responsibilities that we actually need to address right now at this moment?”
Usually, not a huge percent. By concentrating on this present moment, we can be content, or at least less
weighed down than just five minutes ago.
Now imagine repeating these five minute cycles for only twenty to thirty minutes a day, just
focusing on your breath in seated meditation, through pranayama, or with the flow of your body during
yoga. These cycles of concentrated breathing in the present moment have the power of creating ripples of
positive energy that radiate from your core into the universe you live in. It’s these positive ripples that
flow from within us and around us that have more impact on helping us to fulfill our responsibilities than
all the precious time lost in worrying and fretting. Just twenty minutes after one yoga or meditation
session, makes me feel infinitely times better than before I started. It’s an amazing response that I can
feel and see.
Having grown up in the Jain tradition, I began observing the meditative postures of Bhagavan
Mahavir and the other great Jinas and asking myself about the significance of yoga in Jainism. Ahimsa is
more than being vegetarian and living in peace; it’s also about controlling our unproductive and
counterproductive thoughts in order to prevent the creation and attraction of negative energy to our souls.

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org

Sending negative energy out into the world and attracting it to our being is another form of violence, and
sometimes an even more powerful force because our thoughts and resulting vibrations ripple around us,
impacting our friends, family, co-workers, and even people we pass on the sidewalk. There is a domino
effect and through yoga, I feel like I am able to control the force I release into the universe, at least for a
few hours a day. Contemplating on this peace of mind through meditation is even more powerful.
I remember when I first began learning pranayama in order to complement my yoga and
meditation practice. I was asked, “Imagine how your breathing changes with your emotions. For
example, it becomes fast when you’re nervous and heavy when you’re sad. Now, imagine utilizing your
breathing to control your emotions, and ultimately, to control your life.”

Young Jain Professionals http://www.yjponline.org