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AN APPEAL BY PROF. GARY FRANCIONE TO THE JAIN COMMUNITY LEADERS
In my course on Human Rights/Animal Rights, which I am teaching this semester, I am discussing Jaina doctrine and Ahimsa. The primary reason that I am writing to you, however, is to emphasize to you the importance of making Jainism accessible to those who were not born into the Jain tradition. Although the Jains who I have had the good fortune to meet-the Samanijees, Pravin Shah, Sulekh Jain etc.-have been nothing but helpful and generous with their time, and with providing and recommending books and other educational materials, Jainism is still very much something that is shared largely by those who were born into it-and not even by all of them. I have met a number of Jain youths who are completely unacquainted with Jainism and that is sad. The doctrines of Ahimsa, Anekanta, and Aparigraha are more relevant than at any time in human history. 'These doctrines speak to all of the pressing issues of our time: war, poverty, violence, and ecological destruction.

Professor Gary Francione, a distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA, a Vegan and an highly acclaimed author of many books on Animal Rights, appeals to the Jain community leaders to make Jainism available to the wider world of those who were not born into the Jain tradition " Gary L. Francione,Distinguished Professor of Law, & Nicholas deB. Katzenbach Scholar of Law and Philosophy,Rutgers University School of Law
123 Washington Street,Newark, New Jersey 07102, E-Mail: gfrancione@earthlink.ne