[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JAIN CENTER OF ELMHURST, NY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the opening of 
the Jain Center of America in Elmhurst, New York, a part of my 
Congressional district. As the Congressman of the second largest 
concentration of Indian Americans in the United States I am proud of 
the 55,000 South Asians I have the privilege of representing in the 
U.S. Congress.
  This beautiful new temple was built to accommodate the currently 
growing population of practicing Jains in the New York area, which 
amounts to an estimated 1,300 people.
  Perhaps most importantly this new temple consists of the 2 sects and 
the 4 sub-sects of Jainism, a reflection of the growing diversity in 
the Jain community. This will be the first time in America that all the 
different sects of Jainism will be able to practice in one place. 
Jainism is one of the oldest religions originating from India.
  Jainism is based on the principle of ahimsa, non-violence in thought, 
feeling and action, an important tenet for any religion but heavily 
stressed in Jainism. Another foundation of Jainism is the belief in 
reincarnation; the goal of a Jain is to break free from the cycle of 
birth and re-birth and obtain enlightenment (moksha).
  In Jainism there are 24 teachers, thirthankeras, who teach their 
followers the path to moksha (nirvana). In the temple the different 
idols represented are those of these teachers, who are not gods because 
they do not create or destroy. Jains believe that the universe is just 
here--there is no beginning or end. Although many people know little 
about Jainism, I believe its tenets, especially that of non-violence, 
should play a significant role in today's world. All of us, Christian, 
Jewish, Muslim, or any other religion can learn a great deal from 
Jainism. I commend the Jain community of New York for building this new 
temple and wish them the best of luck in whatever they do.

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