Five semi–ordained nuns of the Terapanthi Jain order representing Veerayatan, a humanitarian organization based in Gujarat, attended the convention as its special guests. As fully ordained Jain ascetics are barred from transport–facilitated travel as to avoid moments of possible violence, the Terapanthi semi–ordained ascetics have been some of the only monastics to visit the US. Their particular idiosyncratic interpretation of Jainism, with a focus on multi–sectarianism, modern education and the spread of Jain values among non–Jains, has had a significant influence on the attitudes of America–raised Jains.