Robert Cohen's tribute to JAY DINSHAH (1933-2000)

[Guest guest]

For those who knew and loved Jay, here is a way to honor his work:

 

" Man cannot pretend to he higher in ethics, spirituality, advancement,

or civilization than other creatures, and at the same time live by lower

standards than the vulture or hyena. "

 

Jay Dinshah 1933 - 2000

 

http://navs-online.org:30067/fest98/photos/6/6-12r.jpg

 

Last December, I was one of two hundred who attended a vegetarian

conference in Gainesville, Florida. There were speakers and workshops,

and a bookstore was maintained by Jay and his wife, Freya. I purchased

$300 worth of books because they were wonderful books, and I wanted

them to be a part of my library. I felt good about buying those books

from the Dinshahs because, in doing so, I was helping in a very small

way to support their mission: to help share the vegan lifestyle through

their own example, by motivating and teaching and loving others.

 

In May of 2000, I spoke with Jay. He told me that he would

have to leave earlier for the Toronto Vegan festival because

the border crossing would take nearly a full day as each book and tape

would be inventoried and tariffs paid for every single item. Jay was

not looking forward to the experience.

 

Last Thursday, Freya found Jay in his study, dead on the floor.

There was no sickness and no warning. Jay had been working early, as he

has done every day for the past forty years. Freya will continue their

mission.

 

When a loved one dies, those who pay respect do so by sending flowers or

making generous donations to a church or foundation. Rather than making

a donation, please do something very different. Call the American Vegan

Society (856-694-2887) and order a book. Order ten books. Order

one hundred books. Buy the book for yourself. Buy the book for a

friend. Buy books for libraries. Buy children's books. Buy cookbooks.

That would be a tribute to Jay, and I can imagine his smile.

 

Author Joanne Stepaniak wrote:

 

" In 1960, the American Vegan Society was born in the United States,

founded by Jay Dinshah. It wholly embraced, and continues to embrace,

the principles of its British predecessor, advocating a strictly

plant-based diet and lifestyle free of animal products. In addition, the

American Vegan Society promotes the philosophy of Ahimsa, a Sanskrit

word interpreted as " dynamic harmlessness, " along with advocating

service to humanity, nature and creation. In other words, in order to

practice veganism, it is not sufficient to simply avoid specific foods

and products; it is necessary to actively participate in beneficial

selfless action as well. "

 

Jay Dinshah wrote:

 

" The Pillars of Ahimsa indisputably represent the clearest, surest path

out of the jungle, and toward the attainment of that highly desirable

goal. "

 

Help support Jay's organization. Your tribute and blessing would be

to plant the seeds of knowledge contained within the thousands of books

in the American Vegan Society's catalogue. Be true to Jay's spirit and

support his mission. In death, you can renew Jay's life.

 

Call 856-694-2887 and pay your respects by respecting Jay's mission.

With knowledge, there is truth, and with truth, Ahimsa.

 

Robert Cohen