SHARING IDEAS on JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT - A Way of Life

RECORDING IDEAS SHARED BY JAINS ON FILM:

"JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT - A Way of Life"

FILMMAKER CONVERSES WITH JAINS IN INDIA

FOR MORE IDEAS FOR THE FILM:

Filmmaker: Thanks for your reply. We noted your pointers ... Jains must not forget when producing films for the Westerners (Americans, Canadians and Europeans, as well as South America) is a very different film language and style of presentation. They are highly sophisticated with visual languages and have no time to waste on something that does not interest them. Yale University reviewed some footage and are only interested in the "ancient Jain rituals" i.e. Jains praying and celebrating major occasions - to speak for themselves ...so that they can continue to show India as a primitive civilization.

Our R & D shows over 99% of Westerners have never heard of Jains, they see it as another section of Hinduism. The other 1% belong to other Asian and Buddhist faiths and have read about Jainism and again believe it is part of being a Hindu.

To capture the imagination of the Western mind set - we will have a blond, blue-eyed American host visiting Palitana who discovers for himself/herself: "Who Are Jains, What is Jain Dharma and Why Ahimsa, Anekant and Aparagraph are the three major principles and the essence of Jain scientific philosophy - factors that are so important for the world today ...

After filmimg beautiful sunrise film footage ... the American host visitor stands spell-bound on the hill below Palitana trying to explain: "All sacred religious sites in the world - churches, mosques, gurdwaras and temples celebrate a theme, a form, a story, a legend, an episode of life through the beauty of design, forms, sculptures and archecture. The grace of Jain temples is so unique that it is compellingly complex ... Asthetically speaking, Jain temples are perfection in designs and archectures ... They are a part of the heritage of the world."

Not only for Jains, Vashnavas, Hindus and all the others faiths ... Jain temples represent a great significance as part of the heritage of the world ... Few sacred places can match the grace, the setting, the rapture of elegance, of Jain sculptures ... offering a personal experience, at once inspiring and uplifting in search of the Divine ...

Every pilgrimage is the sense of the sacred. Every pilgrimage brings that which is sublime and noble in human nature.
This Jain pilgrimage is like no other ... It is rooted in a wise understanding and the affirmation of nature. And that is why it is an invitation to transcendance .. The film: "PALITANA - City of Temples on the Hill" focuses on the archecture of Jain temples and concentrates on the particular uniqueness, partly because - most were built in ancient time during the affluence of Jains ... as rulers, Emperors of great Empires ...

They reflect the sense of exquisite beauty ... Of culural refinement. Palitana is a majestic saga of "that which is truly poetic" in glorifing asthetic style --

Mr. Manoj Kothari wrote: As a born Jain and as a business leader from India and as a Futurist, I can point out a few things from my perspective-

1. I was born Jain but got multiple influences shaping my life i.e. Zen, Sufi, Osho's articulation of western philosophies, ancient hindu systems and philosophies etc.

2. RELIGION OF THE FUTURE: Jainism is one of the least understood and propagated religion/philosophy because it does not belong to TODAY. Yes, it would lie on top of the Maslov's pyramid amongs other religions/systems and it also means that it is highly individualistic. "you are your only saviour" is the underline ... There is no external sangh, guru or miracle would save you ... Now this is a teaching for tomorrow, as the world is heading for highly INDIVIDUALISTIC society.

3. THINKING IS BEING: You become what you think repeatedly. Jains' mantra NAMO SIDDHANAM ... salutes all the human and beings with a soul who have attained siddhi. It simply means that by repeatedly thinking of these great souls, you become like them. This is also reflected in Chaandogya Upnishad. I would name it as World's simplest principle of achieving greatness. Think of Obama everyday and you would be Obama or at least Obama like one day.

4. SIMPLICITY & SUSTAINABILITY: Jain values of vegetariansim, simple living, non-violence have a deep 'Systems thinking' towards universe. The great SUSTAINABILITY debate that western countries have started, is built to the very foundation in jainism. There is a need to reinterpet this live-and-let live-thinking from jainism and modernism perspective.

5. SECRET of WEALTH: Why are jains sucesssful businessmen around the world ? There is a message for the World in this alone. How do they get the intellect and drive to be on top of the most fields they have chosen as careers ? It does connect to fundamental value systems which by now would have brought about genetic changes.

Hope these realities will help in further understanding Jain Dharma.

I think you are working on a great project. There is a need to bring Jainism in modern perspective and rationale of the 21st millennium - which has been missing from the ritualistic and ancient articulation the gurus have been preaching. Let me know what help would you need from me, I would be happy to associate on this project.

JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT - Completed remarkable 10 min Film for Fundraising

INVITATION TO RAISE BUDGET FOR A ONE HOUR TV PROGRAM to enter the River to River Film Festival in Florence, Italy

We worked with three young American editors and over 200 hours of digital/HD video to complete the 10 min DEMO and we are now building a major social media network for producing a series of films on "JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT - A COSMIC Way of Life" as a global TV series.

It took over three years of research (R&D) and three pre-production location trips to India filming to produce enchanting "Palitana's Temple Cities on the Hill", "Magnificent Archtecture of Ranakpur" and "Ancient Ellora Cave Temples" and "THE ANNOINTED - Legend of Bahubali" in Sravenbelgola (South India).

We interviewed H.H. Acharya Mahapragya, major swamies, monks and nuns; Indian, British and American Jain experts, academic professors, authors, community leaders, - even the eminent brother of Indu Jain , Chairman of the Times of India. We returned with over 150 hours of digital/HD video. But alas ! our financial backers - Jain diamond merchants and businessmen - could no longer pay for the editing ...due to the U.S. economic recession and other personal reasons.

It was not in our kismet until now, when Tushar and Dina Kothari handed us a check to complete the 10 min film. They genuinely believe that Americans and the western world needs to understand who Jains and what Jain Dharma has to offer the world. This 10 min film: "JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT" reveals answers to questions on how to reverse daily realities and offers the alternative life-style of simplicity for modern civilization.

The film opens referring to the ancient Jain scriptures that reports on the existence of 24 Tirthankars (Prophets) who lived hundreds and thousands of years ago ... beyond 2,500 BC. These liberators of the soul discovered the timeless scientific traditions of simple and harmonious living with the first basic principle of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) towards all human beings, animals, birds, insects and Nature herself.

Modern leaders like India's Mahatma Gandhi, America's Martin Luther King Jr. and South Africa's Nelson Mendala liberated the souls of their people by challenging the concept of independence and moral and civil liberty through Ahimsa ... the teachings of non-violence and making it their own.

It is important to show America and the world - Who are Jains ? The word pronounced “Jane” translates in Sanskrit as “Jina” which in English spells “spiritual victor – the victorious ones” ... “a liberated soul” ... free of greed and demands of materialism … the conqueror of the world of suffering, temptations and earthly illusions.

We began the film project after meeting Donald Rubin, Chairman of the Rubin Museum of Art (www.rmanyc.org) when he told me it was his dream to have the first Jain Art Exhibition in New York (because he owned a couple of Jain mandala paintings ...). I reminded him that not too many people in America know about Jains, so he challenged me to make the film.

Within days, I started introducing him to all the wealthy Jains in USA and India ... and eventually after three years ... two young Jain men born in this country, working in high finance, handed Donald a check for $250,000 to organize "VICTORIOUS ONES: Jain Images of Perfection" from 18 Sept to 12 Feb 2010.

We welcome you to team up with Global Cultural Diversity Films (GCDF) Inc. as partners and assist us in raising funds to inform and educate Americans and the world about the remarkable scientific philosophy and cosmology, especially Ahimsa, Anekantvad and Aparigrah.

Please contact us if this project is of interested to you, your family and your friends ...

With regards, Sincerely, Vinanti

Vinanti Sarkar,Director, Global Cultural Diversity Films (GCDF) Inc. 425 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022. Tel: 22-759-4568 Email: vinanti.v@gmail.com -- Website: www.globalfilmlinks.com Linkedin / Twitter / Facebook / MySpace, etc. Review short clips on www.vimeo.com 5084696 or 5084856 or 50864417 or 5092260 or 5092316 and join our discussions on blog: http://jainenlightenment.blogspot.com



This was our first draft edit cut ... We are working on deadline - to complete the films as soon as possible ... and start entering them in global film festivals ...

JAIN DHARMA THE MISSING LINK TO SALVATION

THE MISSING LINK TO SALVATION (MOKSHA)

American fundraisers explained, if President Obama raised a record-setting $605 million for his campaign mostly from small $10 and $25 donations ! Why can't Global Cultural Diversity Films (GCDF)raise their budget of $250,000 ? If GCDF's film team headed by Vinanti Sarkar strongly believe that the theme of JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT TV film series will offer global impact of redemption with the ultimate recognition to Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Aparigarh (Non-Possessiveness) and Anekantvad (There is no absolute truth), there is no problem in politely asking the world through social media groups to make small donations.
Recollect and remember the days of Mahatma Gandhi (1940s-50s), Martin Luther King Jr.(1950s-1960s) and Nelson Mandela (1970s-1980s) and recognize their preachings and see the proof in the acts of Non- Violence, Non-Possessiveness, and believing "there is no absolute truth, but many truths ..." . These are the basic principles of Jain Dharma.
For the first time in modern TV series, the visual stories of "The Legend of Lord Bahubali" and his father "King Adinath - the first Tirthankar (Prophet)," and the "Man called Mahavira - the last of 24 Tirthankar (Prophet)," etc., will be related and dramatized in colorful vignettes composed in digital/HD videos. Each docu-drama TV film will show the true meaning of the idea of Non-Violence in your daily life. To observe the meaning of "Non-Possessiveness" and overcome this thirst and desire to own, possess and supremely control those overwhelming senses of instant gratification, ruthless passion and unthinkable desire for what is not your own - it vital.
The time has come to compete with global media that exists on sensationalizing news with half truths, destroying confidence and self-esteem with shallow celebrity status and generating cravings to be what you are not.
Funders told us "People will respond to what moves them ... what engages their minds and tries to answer modern day questions, to become supporters. They advised us to go to social media networks on the Internet. Invite and Involve everyone ... if GCDF Inc., mission is to produce this TV films for the global audience. Take the message to the world on the Internet !
So GCDF set up its social network blogspot on www.Blogge: "JAIN ENLIGHTENEMTN - A Way of Life" to explain why it is time to produce these series of films for TV networks and WebTV. It will stand as a reminder that there is something radically wrong in the thirst for today's films focusing on violence, drugs, sex and outrageous themes that are capturing the hearts and minds of the people, especially the younger generation.
GCDF invites viewers to share unedited video-scenes of the film JAINENLIGHTENMENT on www.YouTube.com and www.vimeo.com -- abstracts from over 200 hours of digital/HD video film shot during the R & D and pre-production stages into production.
All that is left is the post-production. The final edit ! The film team has traveled extensively in India and captured some of the most amazing visuals on Jain Dharma - in a world completely unknown to non-Jains. The films are a discovery of a unique ancient scientific life-style that leads to the "path of salvation" of the individual.
Today, the world needs to understand the cosmic and scientific life-style of Jain Dharma. Even the young Buddha was an early follower of the Jain Dharma, but left due to the rigid demands of purification. In the US alone there are over 32 million Buddhist followers due to the visits of the Dalai Lama.
How will the GCDF films work ? Visually JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT will transplant human being around the world to be conscious of the ancient Jain legacy - taking them far back and beyond 6,0000 BC where man survived in pure harmony with nature. Nothing has really changed since those ancient times: wars continue to be fought, with the ultimate fear of nuclear disaster.
Always, Nature has reminded human beings that she is in control of the Planet Earth. Certainly not Man. Armies have risen where brother fought and killed brother to possess dynasties. The motivating factor always is the supreme ego embedded with desire and greed.
The films will offer answers from ancient examples of Jain life-styles ... found in modern society ...where children are taught reverance to all living beings with a soul ... from childhood to the day of death and beyond. It offers the timeless solutions to understanding the meaning of life and death, living and departing the earth spheres.
Should we appear on Facebook ? Flickr ? LinkedIn and Twitter to bring in budgetary assistanace for GCDF's post production ?
Editing is the most crucial part of filmmaking ... the heart beat ... the living soul ... of film language when relating the story. The visual effects will help viewers to recognize the "missing link" to living the good life, taught by Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Brahma, Moses, Guru Nanak and now Mahavir.
During the scenes, new ideas relating to Jain Dharma will be shaped to show clearer forms of understanding what is happening to the world today. Visuals will share opinions with like minded people who are concerned, for example,on the questio of what can be done to eradicate terrorism ? The answer is Ahimsa (Non-Violence). Why is Planet Earth witnessing so many natural disasters worldwide ? The answer is Ahimsa (Non-Violence). Why is the world being plagued with devestation and the loss of innocence ? The answer is Ahimsa (Non-Violence)l
So, how do we raise the budget for editing JAIN ENLIGHTENMENT TV series in this financial recession and a tough economy ?
The answer is to approach like-minded people who are really concerned with the state of the world. Ask them to invest in the future of the world ... so that hey can understand for themselves, what should be their mission in life for the future of the next generation ? People put their money where their heart is ... everyone is looking for answers towards in making Planet Earth a safer and better place.
Vinanti Sarkar - vinanti.v@gmail.com