Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2009 07 Historical Perspectives of JAINA

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California
Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/528142/1

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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
OF
JAINA

LA-JAIN CENTER
July 4, 2009

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(1) Introduction
(2) Birth of JAINA
(3) Vision of LA- Jain Center and JAINA
(4) Making of Jain Center of Southern Cal. ..
(5) Making of LA- Jain Center Pathshala
(6) History of Jain Social Group -LA ...

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INTRODUCTION
Several historical articles are prepared: to depict the background,
behind-the-scene deliberations, beginning and early days of: JAINA, LA-
Jain Center JCSC, LA-Pathshala (Jain Center Youth Council, JCYC) and
LA-Jain Social Group (JSG-LA).
Since the period under reviewwaslate '70s andearly '80s, more
than a quarter century ago, sincere and honest effort was made to do
justice to the institutions ofJAINA, JCSC, JCYCand JSG-LA.
Considerable effort and time were spent to doit right,
Several documents were reviewed, historical data collected and
dozens ofrelevant people at that time (in JAINA, JCSC, JCYC, JISG-LA)}
were contacted. Manypeople, including : C.N. Sanghavi, Girish C. Shah,
Kalyanji Mota, Lalit Shah, Mihir Gandhi , Sailes Jain, Subodh Sheth,
Sudhir Kothari and several others, who are knowledgeable on the subject
or were actively involved in those historic days (1978-1985) were
contacted, their input was secured and they reviewedfor historical data,
facts and authenticity. Chandrakant Parekh and Satles Jain provided
valuable help ofreviewing. Vision and founding principles ofJain Center-
LA and JAINA werealso prepared.
Attachedare five articles : (1) Birth ofJAINA, (2) Vision of LA-
Jain Center & JAINA, (3) Making of LA-Jain Center, (4) Making of LA-
Pathshala and (5) History ofJain Social Group-LA.
Let us summarize the facts here:
(1) There were more than 150 families (250 members) whostarted
LA-Jain Center on Sep 15, 1979, and notjust 30 families.
(2) There were more than 15 Jain organizations involvedin
JAINA formation in 1981 and notjust 3 Jain Centers/Societies.
(3) During the first and formative (constitutional) JAINA
Convention in May 1981 in Los Angeles, JAINA was properly formed,its
proposedconstitution (developed, discussed and agreed by those 15
participating Jain organizations during the preceding |2 months) was
presented, discussed, amended and adoptedbythe plenary session. The
constituent assembly (plenary session) ofthe Ist JAINA Conventionin

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May1981 in Los Angeles properly elected our JCYCfounding V.P. Lalit
C. Shah as JAINA's tirst/founding president.
(4) The Jain Social Group function is primarily socio-cultural with
religious activities secondary, while thatofJain Centerisprimarilyreligious
with social-cultural secondary. This way, both are complementary in the
larger context of Jain community and society. JSG provides social
networking, humanitarian aid and contributes toward unity in Jain
communityinaccordancewithtenetsofJainism.
It is a matter of great pride for all the members of JAINA as this
Convention of2009 is being held in Los Angeles area after 28 years ofits
birth in the same LA area. It is a great feeling to come back to where you
came from.
In ourjourney throughthe followingpages we will discoverWHEN,
WHY, WHERE and HOW our JAINA was born? The atmosphere, tempo,
enthusiasmandexcitementwereunparallel. ThiswasthecasewhentheFirst
Jain Convention of North America organized by Jain Center of Southern
Californiatookplace attheTRWHall in RedondoBeachinmetropolitanLA
area. Thetimeperiodwas 1981. Thearchitectsofthosetimesandmoldersof
our thought processes were our beloved Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and
PujyaAcharyaSushil Kumarji. Theirinspirationwasthedrivingforceforall
the centers and community members to achieve the great heights
unimaginable in those times. Their vision, foresight, broadmindedness and
inspiration will always remain as guiding light for Jain Center ofSouthern
California,JAINAandallothercentersofUS &Canada.
/t is really a team work. Individuals alone couldnever have
accomplishedall these. Theglory ofachievements belongs to all of'us
together.
May Mahavir Swamibless all. With His blessings and Shasan
Dev's Krupa, may these organizations bloom and our Jainism spread for
peace ofall mankind.
Sincerely,
Sudhir Kothari, Lalit Shah, Mahendra Khandhar.

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BIRTH OF JAINA
(Mahendra Khandhar)
Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) was founded on 15
September, 1979. After JCSC was well established and stabilized, our
visionary friend and Vice President of JCSC, Lalit Shah came up with a
brilliant idea in mid-1980 - to establish an umbrella organization forall
institutions - Jain Centers, Societies, Sanghs, Study Centers and others -
representingJaincommunitiesinUS andCanada.
His idea was discussed in the JCSC Executive Committee and with
thecommunitymembers. Everyonewasconvincedthatthe ideaand concept
wereworth pursuing. LalitShah and MahendraKhandharwererequested to
develop more information and discuss the concept with community and
spiritual leadersofvariouscenters.
At that time when we began to pursue the idea of having a central
umbrella Jain organization, Jain Centers were already established in Los
Angeles,NewYork,Boston, Chicago, PujyaGurudevChitrabhanuji'sCenter
(JMIC) and Pujya Acharya Sushil Kumarji's Mission (IMJM). Jain
organizations were in various stages offormation at several locations - San
Francisco, Cleveland, Toronto, Washington DC, NewJersey, Florida, Texas,
Phoenix, San Diego, Portland, Seattle and others. All ofthese centers were
trying to develop their own organizational structure without the benefit of
uniform and structured guidelines, while following their upbringing and
Sanskar.
The conceptofforming a CENTRALJain organization was pursued
atfourdifferentlevels:
First:WetalkedtothetwoJainspiritual leaders intheUSA- Pujya
Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji and Pujya Gurudev Shri
Chitrabhanuji.Both were very happywith the concept and gavetheir
heartfelt blessings. Discussions with them yielded many useful
suggestions.
Second: WetalkedtoJain leaders in academia, ¢.g., Prof. Padmanabh
Jaini (Professor ofBuddhism and Oriental Studies at UC Berkeley)
and Prof. Jagdish Prasad Sharma (Professor of Ancient Indian
Historyatthe Univ. ofHawaii in Honolulu). Bothwerevery

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enthusiastic and supported the idea ofa Jain Federation. Prof. Jaini
was very encouraging and gave valuable suggestions. He had
studiedJainismunderPragnachakshuPanditShriSukhlalji.
Third: We contacted leaders ofvarious Jaincommunities in the US
and Canada - Dinesh Dalal and Vinay Jain in Boston, Mahendra
Pandya, Kailash Chandra Jain and Naresh Shah inNewYork, Sanat
Jhaveri in New Jersey, Manoj Dharamsi in Washinton DC,
Ramnikbhai Kothari inToronto,Nancy ShahinRochester,Niranjan
Shah and Prabodh Vaidya in Chicago, Tansukh Salgia and K.C.
Bhaiji inCleveland, PremJain andGirish Shah in San FranciscoBay
area and several others. Every one of them supported the idea of
formingaJain Federationandofferedmanyuseful suggestions.
Fourth: WediscussedtheconceptwithvariouslocalJaincommunity
leadersandmembers. Theyall lovedthe ideaandlenttheirsupport.
We reported back to the Executive Committee of our findings and
feedback. There was a good deal of discussion on the topic in several
ExecutiveCommitteemeetings. Intheend,theExecutiveCommitteeagreed
to move forward with the idea and take the lead in the formation. Further
deliberations in the Executive Committee encompassedpros and cons, work
involved,howtoproceed,finances, etc. Itwasthenthoughtthatthebestway
to startis tocallaFoundingConvention,inviteallJainorganizations inUS &
Canada and proceed with the formation ofJain Federation ifthe attending
delegates agree in the plenary session. The Executive Committee formed a
Convention Committee thatincluded Sudhir Kothari (Chairman), Lalit Shah
(Co Chair), Mahendra Khandhar, Pallavi Sheth, Dhiren Shah and Dinesh
Gala.
It was mid-1980. The Convention Committee needed sometime to
do work externally (with outside delegates) and internally (Convention
venue, hosting, agenda, cost, etc.). The Executive Committee and
Convention Committee agreed to tentatively propose the founding
ConventionplacetobeLosAngelesandduringMemorial Day longweekend
in 1981 (about 9 months away). The Convention Committee promptly
started to function vigorously and methodically. We talked to our spiritual,
academic and outsideJaincommunity leaders. All tentatively agreedtohold
the Founding Convention in Los Angeles in May 1981. All leaders

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approval,
The summary findings, Convention idea, Los Angeles venue,
Memorial Day weekendin 1981, someidea ofcost, hosting ofthe delegates
and Convention Committee formation were presented to our Jain Center
General Body meetingfortheir information, input, discussion and approval.
The General Body wholeheartedly and very enthusiastically supported it
along with many suggestions for Executive Committee and Convention
Committeetoconsider.
Wecalled all the spiritual, academic and community leaders and
confirmed the Los Angeles location and dates (May 22-25, 1981) of the
Convention. The umbrella institution will be ofFederationtype whereinall
member organizations would operate autonomously locally andstill be
guidedbythe Federationforlargerand external matters, ¢.g., representation
atnational andinternational levelwith onevoice, uniform studymatterinall
Pathshalas, socio-religious meetings at regional and national level,
guidelinesfor visitors-monks-scholars, future planning fornew generations
to come and the aging seniors, youth development-encouragement-
participation, unified dealing with the governments, possible representation
inUnitedNations etc, Afterthat the Convention Committee drewup adraft
constitutionofJainFederationbasedonJCSCmodelandpreparedatentative
plan and agenda forthe Convention. Wethen talked to Pujya Sushil Muniji
and Pujya Chitrabhanuji for their suggestions & blessings and talked to
Professor Jaini & Professor Sharmafor their feedback and finally sentit to
outside Jain leaders forreview and tentative approval. We wereluckyto get
the TRW (now Northrop Grumman) Company's beautiful large capacity
modern air conditioned hall for 3 days at no cost to us. That eased the
potentialburdenontheyoung JCSC. Further, thelocal familieswere sought
tohostthedelegates.
Communication was difficult during those days : no e-mails, no
laptops, nodesktopsandscarcecellphones. Allcommunicationtookalotof
personaltime, energyandmoney. Afterhundredsofphonecallsandconstant
dialog, a plan and the agenda were streamlined. Once things were settled
withthetentativeapprovalbythespiritual-academic-communityleaders,the
Convention Committee reported back to the Executive Committee and the
ExecutiveCommitteeinturnreportedtotheGeneralBody.
oePheConventionwasheldfromMay22to May25, 1981inLo

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Angeles. The Convention was very successful, graced by Pujya Acharya
Sushil Kumarji, Puyya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, Professor Padmanabh Jaini
andProfessorJagdishPrasad Sharma. Thereweredelegates fromNewYork,
NewJersey, Washinton DC, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Rochester, Toronto,
Chicago, San Francisco and several other cities. In addition, many
dignitarieswereinvited, includingGov. EdmundG. BrownJr., Congressman
Mervyn Dymally, LA Mayor Tom Bradley, LA Cultural Commissioner Dr.
Marwah,Indian Consulate General Mr. Aziz, Prof. Stephen Hay, Dr. Ann
Norton, Ramesh Murarkaof“/ndia West’ and more, but some ofthemcould
not attend. Hundreds of local JCSC members and others attended the
Convention.
The Convention opened with invocation followed by welcome
speeches fromJCSCPresidentandVicePresident. Therewereaddressesand
blessings from Pujya Sushil Muniji and Pujya Chitrabhanuji. Professor
Jaini, Professor Sharma, Sudhaben Sheth and invited dignitaries also
addressed the Convention. Lively question-answer added flavor to the
function. Conventionproceededvery smoothly,colorfully anddelightfully.
Slide presentation of “Samovasaran” by Dr. Ann Norton and movie
“Jainism” informed and entertained everybody. There was a cultural
programpresentedbythelocalJCSCmembers.
The delegates discussed and adopted the name “The Federation of
Jain Organizations in North America” with the short mnemonic name of
“JAINA”. The draft constitution was proposed, discussed, amended and
approved by the delegates and general attendance. The First Executive
Committee was elected and included - Lalit Shah as President; Manoj
Dharamsi, Tansukh Salgia and Dinesh Dalal as three Vice Presidents; and
Girish ShahofSanJoseas Secretary/Treasurer.
By grace ofShasan Dev and blessings ofBhagvan Mahavir Swami,
everything worked out great as planned. In addition to hard working
Convention Committee and Executive Committee, many JCSC members
and volunteers spent hundreds ofhours to form JAINA andhelpit takeoff.
To list all their names would be space prohibitive and make others
uncomfortable whose names might be inadvertently left out. The JAINA,
JCSC and entireNorthAmericanJain communityare gratefulto allthe early
pioneers. /t is really a team work. Individuals alone could never have
accomplishedallthese. Thegloryofachievementsbelongstoallofus
together.

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The seed of JAINA sown in May 1981 in Los Angeles and
nurtured by JCSC and North American Jain communities has grown
into a huge internationally recognized organization. United Nations, US
Congress and Government of India have recognized JAINA. It is
financially stable, and functions with over fifty committees and
subcommittees, seventy fivememberorganizations, hundredsofvolunteers,
quarterly JAINA magazine communicating news-views-development-
progress with the Jain community at large (in US, Canada, India and
worldwide), several auxiliaries (e.g., YJA, YJP, Seniors, etc.) and
matrimonial listings-forum-get together. It developed wonderful series of
uniform Jain textbooks for Pathshalas and held 14 successful biennial
conventions across US and Canada with attendance ranging from 3000 to
10,000.
The [5th JAINA Convention will be held July 2-5, 2009 in the
foundingcity ofLosAngeles, hosted bythe foundingmemberorganization-
Jain CenterofSouthern California. It is our hope, prayer and confidence
thatJAINAwill carry the torch ofJain unityin theworld anditwill bea
beacon of youth leadership. It will continue to become a better and
stronger organization, and it will inspire the youths and future
generations.
(P.S.: The inadvertent errors of omission and commission, if any, are
sincerelyregrettedwithMichchhamiDukkadam.)

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Vision of Jain Center of Southern California and JAINA
(Sudhir Kothari)
Chitrabhanuji visited LosAngeles in 1971 and sincethat time, there
was a natural desire among Jain families to get together and build our own
Derasar. Samvatsari Pratikraman was hosted by Lalit & Madhu Shah in
1970s where many families and singleyoung people came. Attimesseveral
families would get together at the home of one of the families to do
Swadhyay. Lalit & Mahendra Khandhar were the pioneers in getting Jain
families together with a vision for the larger cause of Jain unity and
propagating Jain values. Lalit conceivedthe idea oforganizing Jain Center
at local andnational level. Mahendra andothers pickedupon thatvisionand
it soonbecamethe dream ofthe whole community. The formulation oflocal
JainCenterbegantotakeplace in 1978.
Thereweremanyobstacles: nomoney,nocontacts,nofacility, noone
to go to, a new project in foreign country etc. Only thing we had was a
dream and the desire to achieve it. Working hard, several informal
communitymeetings ensued to discuss the establishment ofJain Centerin
LA area, over a period ofnext twelve months. Particular attention was paid
togoals,principles,constitution,organization,activitiesandfinance.
Finally, the Jain Center ofSouthern California (JCSC) was born
on September 15, 1979 with a grand vision. There was an elected
ExecutiveCommitteetoachievevisionandconductdailyroutines.
Someofthehighlightsofthisvisionare:
1. Jain Center will conductits activities without any consideration of
Jain sects.
2. Developand implementtheideaoforganizingthenational federation
ofallJainSocieties/Centers in US &Canada.
3. HelpestablishotherJainCentersthroughoutUS &Canada.
4, Save our children from Western culture by imparting Jain values in
therm.
5. PromotetheidealsofJainismamongfellowIndiansandAmericans.
Thefoundingprinciplesarebrieflydiscussedbelow :
1, Promote Jainism: We were finding ourselves beinglost in the
Westernculture prevailing aroundus atwork, in the neighborhood,at school
etc.Wefeltakeenneedtopreserveourrichheritage,promoteitamonglike-

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mindedpeopleandpassitontoouryoungergeneration.
2. Explain true meaning of“Jain”: Any person who Isinterested in
Jain philosophy-literature-principles (vegetarianism, non violence,
purifying soul etc.) would be called “Jain”. Jain is not definedstrictly by
being born in traditional Jain family. This definition also applies to people
borninatraditionalJainfamily.
3. Promote Jain Atmosphere: It was recognizedthat in light ofthe
above definition of the word “Jain”, we assimilated the atmosphere
prevailing at the time ofMahavir Swami desna (mass preaching) period. At
that time every person listening to desna was equal. There was no king, no
low cast, no Shwetamber, no Digamber, no Sthanakwasi, no Terapanthietc.
EveryonewasjustJain.
This theme became a common ground for promoting ideals of
Jainism. We embarked upon conveying the meaning ofJain to our children
and friends who were Vaishnavs, Swaminarayans, other Indians and
Americans. Werecognizedthatourchildren maymarry intoanyofthe above
groupsandcould have spouseswhomayget interested inJainismbyvirtueof
being married to one. It would be difficult to identify a newly interested
person as Shwetamberor Digamberetc. Living in this country, we neededto
have an expanded view ofJainism ratherthanrestricting it to small sects that
would confuseourchildren into ultimatelyrejectingthe whole religion. The
above theme wasthe basis for holding theJain convention ofNorthAmerica
in LosAngeles.
4, PromoteJain Unity: There were notmanyJain Centers/Societies in
US/Canadaatthetime ofJainconvention in 1981. We did notwantto create
India-like divisive situation based on birth as Shwetamber or Digamber or
Sthanakwasi etc. We received spiritual guidance, blessings and valuable
suggestions from Pujya Acharya Sushil Kumarji and Pujya Gurudev
Chitrabhanujiforpromotingthese ideals.
The idea ofhaving apermanentplace forourJain Center forpractice
andadvancementofJainismforus and ourchildren took hold in the minds of
community and Executive Committee members.It was also recognizedthat
the feeling of unity was more important than the building that we were
going to create. We can have a building that could be a state ofthe art
building, but ifthere is no unity then that building is equivalent to a useless
khander.

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Scholarsandspeakers were invitedto give lecturesatourJainCenter.
Each speakerwasrequestednottomake anyderogatorycommentsregarding
other religions. We also requested them, not to make any divisive remarks
about other sects within Jainism, no matter what sect they came from and
howeverstrongly they felt about their particular sect. The reason wasthat
many people from otherreligions and other Jain sects attended our lectures
with the view oflearning something from the lectures. We did not wish to
hurttheirfeelings directly or indirectly. In addition, we wanted ourchildren
to experience the richness ofour religion and carry Jainism forward in the
future without confusing them with different sects and losing interest in
religionaltogether.
5. Promote Children's Awareness Towards Jainism: It was
recognized that children growing up inAmericansociety have a questioning
mind so they needed to be appealed in a logical mannerin order to get them
interested in Jainism. Children's committee was formed for this purpose.
Niru Kothari & Dr. Dinesh Shahtookthe initiative forthe activities. Itwasa
tallorder. Ithadtocultivatetomorrow's leaderswhowouldcarrythetorchof
Jainism forwardandforthemtohaveanidentityasJain.
6. Worship: It was recognized that in order to have a building forthe
Jain Center there would haveto be a focal point such as Lord Mahavir's idol
and acoupleofotheridols. Itwas decided thatwe would notplaceemphasis
on howthe idols are worshipped. We would let our members carry on
different ways of worshipping. The Committee would step in only for
cleanliness, order and administrative functions. We would notcall idols as
Shwetamber or Digamber. The open eye-idolis called desna mudra where
Lord Mahavir is communicating with audience with open eyes. The closed
eye (or halfclosed, nasagra)-idol is called dhyanasth mudra. To call open
eye-mudra as Shwetamberandto call closed eye-mudra as Digamberis the
same as improperly saying that Lord Mahavir's messageis only for certain
Jains incertainpositionortosaythatGandhiji belongstoonlyGujaratis.
The purpose ofworshipIs to progressively attain higher level forthe
soul, not to be mired in the divisive thinking. Committee would step in and
correct any situation ifit felt that divisive tendencies were beginning to
surface. Committee is to resist and reverse divisive situation that can very
easily sneak under the cloak ofworshipping. This can destroy the founding
principlesofourJainCenter. Allthemoniesreceivedfromworshipactivities
would go intocommonfundunlessspecifiedbythedonor.
7. PromoteandPreserveJainTeachingand Literature: Itwas

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Ul
recognized that to promote Jain teaching, we needed booksandliterature,in
addition to frequentvisitsby scholars andmonks. We neededto have library
in our building plans. We could then pass on this information to interested
parties such as members, students, scholars, universities etc. We planned to
have classes for our children to learn the meaning of our religion. We
considered adult classes and satsangs to have deeper understanding ofour
rich heritage.
JAINA: Now thatJCSC wasestablished, the Executive Committee
started to discuss and implement the idea of organizing the National
Federationofall Jains in NorthAmerica. JCSC decidedto hold aconvention
forthatpurpose. JCSC invitedcommunity leaders fromvariousstates, other
Jain associations and interested community members throughout US and
Canada. A Convention Committee was formed with Sudhir Kothari as
Chairman, Lalit Shah as co-chair, and Dhiren Shah, Dinesh Gala, Pallavi
Sheth and Mahendra Khandhar as members,to carry out all the Convention
relatedtasks.
About 15 Jain organizations participated in the pre-Convention
discussion for Jain federation. The meeting for the formation of North
AmericanJain Federation forall Jains was held attheConvention chairedby
JCSC. Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and Pujyya Acharya Sushil Kumaryi
graced the Convention with their presence and blessings. Prof. Padmanabh
Jaini, Prof. Jagdish Prasad Sharam, Sudhaben Sheth, and many scholars,
dignitaries and VIPs gave inspiring speeches. The constitution was
hammered out and the name JAINA wasadoptedat the meeting. The First
Executive Committee ofJAINA waselected and included - Lalit Shah as
President; Manoj Dharamsi, Tansukh Salgia and Dinesh Dalal as three Vice
Presidents and Girish Shah ofSan Jose as Secretary/Treasurer. Thus JAINA
was bornat the first everJain Convention held by JCSC at TRW Hall in Los
Angeles in 1981. At the end of Convention, the JCSC Committee took
Acharya Sushil Kumarji and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji to Las Vegas to look at
the wooden temple (Palitana replica, now adoring the foyer area ofLA Jain
Center cultural complex). The Committee had already started a dialog to
acquireitforJCSC, TheConventionwasagreatsuccess in everyrespect.
Theguiding vision was nowturninginto reality step by step. JAINA
embarked uponhelpingto establish Jain Centers/Societies in other parts of
US and Canada. The members would visit those places and help the
communities to start a Jain Centeror Society oftheirown. They would also
givethemongoingsupportasneeded.

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JAINAefforts included organizing activities forchildren. The Young
Jains Auxiliary (YJA), Young Jains Professionals (YJP) were started.
Children fun activities and Pathshala activities (uniform texts, teachers’
conferencesetc)alsogotstarted.
The promotion ofJainism among Jains was easier and natural. The
fellow Indians also had some conceptofJainism. We encouraged them to
visit our functions and lectures. To impart understanding of Jainism to
Americans various interviews were given to Los Angeles Times, media and
magazines.
JAINA's goal istobecomeabeaconoflight&knowledge, andspread
the message ofoneness amongthe Jain community throughout US, Canada,
India and the world. It has achieved the goal beyond the expectations ofthe
foundingfathers.
ThusourJain Center should be proud in helping create JAINA.
Jain Center and JAINAhave grandvision and glorioushistory. Let all
ofus fromevery Center, every Society offerourbestwishes, supportand
participation for JAINA's march towards a bright and wonderful
future.

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MAKING OFJAIN CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
(Mahendra Khandhar)
Jain Center ofSouthern California (JCSC) becamea reality on 15
September, 1979. Since then the successive Presidents and able JCSC
Administrations have made the seed sownthat day to the great Banyan
tree that Jain Center ofSouthern California is today. A chronological
history ofJCSC was outlined by successive past Presidents in JCSC's 10th
Anniversary Souvenir published in 1998. Periods ofaccomplishments
included:
ExecutiveCommittees(1979-98)
FormattingYears(1979-81)
PlanningYears(1982-83
ContinuedPlanningYears(1984-85)
RealizationofDream-FirstJainBhavan(1986-89)
GrowthYears(1990-91)
Phenomenal Growth(1992-93)
CommunityOutreachYears(1994-95)
CommunityEmpowermentYears(1996-97)
ExpansionYears(1998-99)
The purpose of this article is to highlight behind-the-scenes
community meetings and deliberations that culminated in the formation of
JCSC.
In the early seventies there were several hundred Jain families in a
hundredmileradiusofCalifornia, from SanDiegoto SantaBarbaraandfrom
Santa Monica to San Bernardino. Most followed their family traditions and
mainly did some penance and Samvatsari Pratikraman during Paryushana
in localized small groups of family and close friends. There was no
organized effort, no organization and no visiting Jain dignitaries. This
continuedforseveralyears.
In 1977, Vina and I met our old friend (from Limbdi and Stanford)
Lalit and his wife Madhu Shah. Lalit is very creative, proactive, visionary
and selflessly socio-religious service oriented. He initiated informal Jain
community dinner meetings at his home as a sounding board for ideas,
discussions and formation ofa Jain organization. Several meetings ensued
over a period of about 2 years. Many friends, relatives, community
members,activists,wellwishers, sideliners,bystandersandfun loving-

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socialites attended. The attendance ranged from twenty-five to hundred.
Thehighlightsandissuesarebrieflynotedbelow.
Everybody felt and agreed on the need to organize the Jain
community, to help our generation to perform our Jain rituals as well as to
pass the heritage to the next generation. It was general consensus to broad
basethe organization, hence“Southern California” insteadof“LosAngeles”
in the name, Also, it was thought that “Center” would connote the
community breadth, avoid any hint of sectarianism, imply an invitation to
local non-Jain community (Indians and otherwise) to visit & participate and
possibly lend a soft touch of academics. So, the name of “Jain Center of
SouthernCalifornia”wasevolved.
Although Gujarati Jains were in amajority, itwas decided aftersome
discussion, to make special effort to seek, invite and assimilate the non-
Gujarati Jains. In the following years, many were in our Executive
Committees. The language will be English in all written, formal,
constitutional and financial matters. However, public lectures could be in
English, Gujarati or Hindi depending on the speaker, audience andtopic.
There wasalengthydiscussion ofsects andrituals. Although the majorityof
the Jains in LA area are Murtipujak Shvetamber (Derawasi), it was felt that
the sectarian views and differences prevailing in India should not be
imported here. To follow the sectarian ritualsstrictly (based on one's family
traditions and Sanskar) in the family is one thing, but in public and in our
organizationalaffairs itwill be corrosive and divisive. Areasonable balance
will be kept in public events to respect all sects. Minority will be heard,
respectedandaccommodatedwherepractical,whilemajoritywillprevail.
Thegoverning bodywill be simple:five officersand fourmembersat
large, each for a two year term, with the election ofboth groupsin turn in
alternate years. The service and work will be strictly voluntary and
qualifications will be JCSC life member and willing-able-available to serve
the Jain community. There will be one and two year membership for
newcomers and life membership for the rest. The constitution will be
simple, embodying the aboveideas with the purposeofperformingJain
rituals, continuity of Jain religio-cultural heritage, assimilation in
American mainstream bylocal community service, academic awareness
and in consonancewithJain scripturalguidelines.
aa,{althougheverybodydesiredto haveaplaceofourownfortheJai

Page #17
center, it was not practical due to finance and infancy of JCSC. Initially
meetings were held in othercommunityhalls that included Gujarati Society,
Gujarati Cultural Society, Patidar Hall, Swaminarayana Temple Hall etc.
untilwewouldhaveourownbuilding. Itishearteningtoseethatwebuiltour
first Jain Bhavan from ground-up in 1988 costing about $1 million with the
full community support of donations andinterest-free loans. Within few
years, that facility was too small for our growing community and
exponentially growingPathshala attendance. Weembarked onthree-phase
expansionplantodevelopanewfacility.
In the mid seventies a small scaled replica ofPalitana Temple, hand
carved inteakwoodin India in 1904, wasobserved bymanymembersofJain
community including Lalit Shah and Shirish Seth, in the courtyard of
Castaways Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. India West covered the story with a
photo on frontpage in August 1980. Afterthe first Founding Convention of
JAINAin Los Angeles in 1981, we took PujyaAcharya Sushil Kumarji and
PujyaGurudev Chitrabhanuji, accompanied by Lalit Shah, Lal Momaya and
others, to Las Vegas for their spiritual guidance. They saw the temple and
agreed that the sacred Jain temple should belong to a Jain organization(e.g.
JCSC). Himanshu Shroffwho lived in Las Vegas was a gracious host and
helpedus. Dialogbeganwiththehotel managementfordonationorpurchase
of the temple. The perseverance of the JCSC and its successive leaders
resulted in the donation of that temple to JCSC in 1995, and it currently
adomsthemainfoyerofourbeautifulnewculturalcomplex.
Executive Committee resolved to publish a monthly newsletter to
communicate with the members. To avoid any bias and conflict ofinterest
{real or apparent), it was decided unanimously that no paid or unpaid
advertisements would be included in the JCSC newsletter. The newsletter
will include short religious articles,stavans,stotra, sutra, a summaryoflast
meeting or lecture, and information about the upcoming meetings or events.
Therewill bebroadgrassrootparticipationbythegeneral membership inany
large-scale event or undertaking or donations to avoid vested interest,
alienation ofgeneral members,to eliminate oligarchy and to stay away from
undueoutside influenceorinterference.
Initial JCSC membership was about 250 with 100 life membership.
The history ofJCSC will be bland, unauthenticated and non-historicalifthe
severalinitial committeesarenotmentionedwiththeirnames:

Page #18
The Initiating Families included (alphabetically) Sailes and Sachi
Jain, Mahendra and Vina Khandhar, Ramesh and Chandrika
Khandhar, Manibhai and Savita Mehta, Rasik and Kavita Parekh,
Gordhan and Saroj Patel, Lalit and Madhu Shah, Mansukh and
MrudulaShah,Ashwin andDivyaSheth.
TheAd Hoc Working Committee included (alphabetically) Dinesh
Gala, Navin Ganger, K.C. Jain, Mahendra Khandhar, Ramesh
Khandhar, Manibhai Mehta, Kalyanji Mota, Gordhan Patel, Mohan
Patel, Surendra C. Patel, Amrut Shah, Lalit Shah, Ashwin Sheth,
Pallavi ShethandVinaSheth.
The First Nominating Committee included Gordhan Patel
(Chairman), Manibhai Mehta, ShirishSethandAmrutShah.
The First Executive Committee included Mahendra Khandhar
(President), Lalit Shah (Vice President), Kalyanji Mota (Secretary),
Surendra C. Patel (Treasurer), Rajul Mehta (Public Relations).
Savita Mehta, Mohan Patel, Manda Shah and YogeshR. Shahserved
for the first one year term and Niru Kothari, Shirish Seth, Dinesh
Shah (Dr.)and Mahesh ShahjoinedtheCommitteeforthesecondone
yearterm.
Initial Kitchen Volunteers included Savita Mehta, Vina Khandhar,
Saroj Patel, MadhuShahandPallavi Sheth.
Many Jain community members were involved in attending those
planning meetings and they participated actively & enthusiastically in the
discussion with their views and ideas. All had good spirit ofcompromise
with giveandtakeattitude. To listall theirnameswould be spaceprohibitive
and makeothersuncomfortablewhosenamesmightbe inadvertentlyleftout.
JCSC and the entire Jain community are grateful for the contributions and
leadershipofthoseearlypioneers andwell-wishers. /fisreallya team work.
Individuals alone could never have accomplished all these. The glory of
achievementsbelongstoallofustogether.
With Mahavir Swami's blessings, Shasan Dev'sKrupa, hard work &
dedicationofsuccessiveleadersandheartfeltsupportoftheJainCommunity,
ourJainCenterandPathshalahaveflourishedbeyondanybody's

Page #19
17
imagination - about 400 students in Pathshala, 850 life memberstrong Jain
community, almostdaily Swadhyays, weekly Pujas, a beautiful temple with
awonderfulcultural complex andAradhna Hall. OurJain Center is admired
by Jain communities in US, Canada, India and the rest ofthe world. Iam
sure that it will grow even more in next decade and continueto set an
exampleforotherstofollow.
(PS.. The inadvertent errors of omission and commission, if any, are
sincerelyregrettedwithMichchhamiDukkadam.)

Page #20
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MAKING OF LA- JAIN CENTER PATHSHALA
(Mahendra Khandhar)
Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) was established in
September 1979 and Federation of Jain Organizations in North America
(JAINA) wasinauguratedin May1981 inLosAngeles. Eversince theJain
Center organization was started, there was always sometalk ofstarting
Pathshala or Jainshala for our children. Many pros and cons were
discussed. Not having our own building was a major obstacle. Number of
parents who would be motivated to send their children to Pathshala was
another concern since JCSC wasin its infancy. Los Angeles being a wide
area, traveling long distance was a major factor, The other topics that were
discussed were frequency of classes, language, syllabus and religion
teachers.
We sought guidance and blessings of our spiritual leaders, Pujya
Acharya Sushil Kumarji and Pujya Gurudev Chitrabhanuji. Both supported
the conceptand encouraged the idea ofchildren's activities and Pathshala.
TheyevensuggestedtoorganizewintercampsforchildrenduringChristmas
holidays and recommended holding joint camps with students from other
centers. Camps will provide fun, excitement, change andinspirationto the
children and theirparents. Thefirst children's winter camp washeldjointly
with the Northern California group in December 1981 in San Luis Obispo
with Gurudev Chitrabhanuji. There were about 50 children, 25 each from
Southern and Northern California. It was a great success, Everybody
enjoyedthecamp.
Based on the success of the winter camp, in a meeting at Dr.
Chunibhai's residence, JCSCpresidentKalyanji Motatookthe initiative. He
was very keen on starting Pathshala. In 1982 the Executive Committee
approvedand established achildren's auxiliary oftheJain Centerand named
it Jain Center Youth Council (ICYC). The charter ofPathshala included
growth, comradeship, service to community, future leadership development
andtorchbearerofourreligious-social-cultural heritage, GirishC. Shahand
Mahendra Khandhar were nominated to lead JCYC and the annual winter
campsduringChristmasholidays.
ThefirstPathshala classwasheldattheresidenceofRajenand Rajul
Mehta, with about 20 children. Dr. Niranjan Shah, Girish C. Shah and

Page #21
every Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. “Basic Jainism” book,
cyclostyled with some hand written sections, developed by Dr. Ratibhai
DodhiaandpublishedbytheBostonJainCenter,wasused.
Later, the JCYC class was tried out at various places including
residenceofDivyakantand Sarala Sheth, InderandNirmalJainoffice, Pujya
Sushil Muniji's Ashram tn Long Beach and some parks. The JCYC class
eventually settled at Rajen-Rajul Mehta's residence in Cerritos, for several
years. The attendanceincreased from 20 (1982) to about70 in 1988, whenit
finallymovedtoournewlyerectedJainBhavan.
The second children's winter camp was held in December 1982 at
Lake Arrowhead with Pujya Sushil Muniji. The attendance was about 50,
including 10 students from Phoenix and San Diego. The third winter camp
was held in December 1983 at Lake Arrowhead with Balbhadraji (Bruce
CostainofToronto, adisciple ofPujya Chitrabhanuji). There were about 60
children. The fourth camp was held jointly with Phoenix group in
December 1984 in Parker (AZ). There were 30 children from Los Angeles
and20 fromPhoenix. Afterthat, theWinterCampforJCYC childrenwas an
annual event. Students (and parent volunteers) eagerly and excitedly looked
forwardto WinterCamps. Itwasfirst-come-first-serve andwe were limited
to about 60 students due to constraints of facility and management. The
Camps were held at various places including San Bernardino mountain
retreats, Big Bear, Idyllwild, Hemet etc. Girish C. Shah, Mahendra
Khandhar, Dr. Kirit Gosalia and Kishor Parekh (last two from Phoenix)
taught Jainism at these camps. Every year, we prepared a make-shift 100-
page religious text for use at the Camp, consisting of that year's theme.
Examples include Nine Reals (Nav Tattva), Six Substances (Chha Dravya),
Samayik, Pratikraman, Sutras, Stavans, Prayers and short stories. There
were other activities at the Camps including cultural shows,skits, singing,
music, hiking, snow play and fun games. Food was prepared by volunteers
(mostlyparents).
Intheearlyyears,thefollowingvolunteershelpedwithCamps:
GirishandPravinaShah MahendraandVinaKhandhar
KishorandJaysriParekh KiritandVibhutiGosalia
AjitandSurabhi Shah Chunilal andIlaShah
LalitandMadhu Shah Prakash andKalpanaShah
NarendraandSonal Sheth ShirishandPadmaSeth

Page #22
20
DineshandGeetaShah Ramesh&ShobhanaKothari
In thelateryearsfollowingvolunteersjoined:
YogeshandSaurabhShah SailesandSachiJain
Kalyanji andJyoti Mota KishorandKavitaSanghvi
NavnitandNiru Shah HasendraandBinaShah
VikramandSmitaDoshi KiritandPallaviGala
Mahesh andMaltiMaheta ChandrakantandHasmitaParekh
AnandandYogi Shah Divyakant& SaralaSheth
Manyother JCSC membershelped enthusiastically with their views
and ideas. Tolist their names would be space prohibitive and makeothers
uncomfortable whose names might be inadvertently left out. The JCYC,
JCSC andentire Jain community thankall ofthem. Jt is reallya team work.
Individuals alone could never have accomplished all these. The glory of
achievementsbelongstoallofustogether.
After moving JCYC to Jain Bhavan,the attendance increased from
70 (1988) to about 150. More classes wereadded. Othersjoinedinteaching,
e.g., Dilip M. Shah (religion), Ramesh & Chandrika Khandhar(religion),
Rashmi Shroff (religion), Sailes Jain (Gujarati), Bakulbhai Shah 'Bapuj!'
(Gujarati), SurendraJain(Hindi)etal.
Around 1993, there were several meetings between Mahendra
Khandhar, Kalyanji Mota, Sailes Jain, Pallavi Gala and Executive
Committee to make JCYC grow further. Classes were expanded, many new
classes were added, several volunteers joined as teachers and assistant
teachers. Several teachers were recruited from Girishbhai B. Shah's Sunday
class. ManyJCSCmembers cameforwardformiscellaneousvolunteerwork
and children's snack program. Girish C. Shah and Mahendra Khandhar
retired in 1995,after 14 years ofteaching and having a managementrolein
JCYC. Sailes Jain thentook a major role, and since thenhe is working very
hardanddiligently.
In 1982,nobody imaginedordreamedthatthe small beginningofone
class of20 with three teachers will become a hugeinstitution ofabout 400
students, 29 classes, and 86 teachers and volunteers. JCYC shinesas a role

Page #23
Zi
Shasan Dev's Krupa, Mahavir Swami's blessings, JCSC Management'sfull
supportandhardworkofallteachers, administratorsandvolunteers.
I am sure it will grow even more and thereligious Sanskars
imbibedin thesechildrenatan earlyagewill benefitthem,in this lifeand
thereafter.
(PS.: The inadvertent errors of omission and commission, if any, are
sincerelyregrettedwithMichchhamiDukkadam.)

Page #24
22
History of Jain Social Group - Los Angeles
(Mahendra Khandhar)
Myelder brother Kishorbhai in Borivli-Bombay was very active in
Jain Social Group (JSG) movement. So, C.N.Sanghavi, the founder
president of JSG Federation; Pratapbhai Gandhi, JSG Fed President and
others suggested starting overseas group in Los Angeles (LA). While
visiting Bombay in 1983, we had several meetings with Sanghavi Saheb,
Pratapbhai Gandhi, Labhubhai Mehta, Mahasukhbhai Kamdar, Rasikbhai
Shah, Chimanbhai, Naginbhai and others. We discussed various aspects of
purpose,religious, social, humanitarian activities, JSG Federation, finances
and contribution to Jain unity. We were convinced ofJain Social Group's
need,noblepurposeandpracticality.
PrimarypurposeofJain Social Group movementis socialinteraction
and Sadharmik brotherhood, in consonance with Jainism. This is what
Mahavir Swami said as Paraspar Upgraho Jivanam (mutual
interdependence). Ontheotherhand, theJain Centerhasprimarypurposeas
Jain religion Sanskar spread. Thus Jain Center activities are primarily
religious with social-cultural secondary, while the JSG is primarily SOCi0-
cultural with religious activities secondary. This way, both are
complementaryin thelargercontextofJaincommunityandsociety.
JSG movement wasinitiated in 1960s, almost half a century ago.
Currently, there are 305 groups, including 15 overseas, withthemembership
of 51,000. (Our JSG-LA, group number51, is one ofthe early one and a
pioneer in overseas groups.) The JSG Federation contributed millions of
rupeesand thousands ofman-hours,directly and through Red Cross, during
Morbifloods in Gujarat, Latur earthquake in Maharashtra, coastal floods in
Orissa, Gujarat-Kutchhaearthquake, tsunami ofTamilnadu and many other
natural calamities. It also arranges Paryushan lecture series by eminentJain
scholars.
We came back to LA, and started meeting with the friends and
community members. We explained the purpose and function of JSG
activities, Met with the Jain Center ofSouthern California (JCSC) officers
before the Group formationto explain the purpose ofJSG as socio-cultural-
religious,whilethatofJCSCasreligio-socio-cultural. Bothare

Page #25
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complementing sister Jain organizations, expanding and reinforcing the
Sadharmik Vatsalya among our Jain community. There was very favorable
response. Thisdialogcontinuedforalmostayear.
Finally, we had the first formative, founding dinner meeting in May
1984. There were 60 members and 10 invited guests from Jain Center
Committeeandcommunityleaders. Therewasopendiscussion,constitution
was proposed and adopted, andthefirst Executive Committee was elected
with Mahendra Khandharas president, Kalpana Shahas vice president, Jitu
Shah as secretary, Harshad Modyastreasurer, Harsha Patadia as public
relations and Malti Maheta, Pallavi Sheth, SuryakantBelani & Vinod Mehta
as membersat large. With almost 50 % ladies in the Executive Committee,
includingVPandPRofficers,itwasfirstinJSGhistory.
JSG-LAwas formally inaugurated in Sep 1984. More than 150 JSG
members,officers from several groups, Federation officers and friends came
from India. There were many invited VIPs anddignitaries,e.g., well known
philanthropist Dipchandbhai Gardi, Prof. Padmanabh Jaini, JAINA founder
president Lalit C. Shah, Jain Center Presidents Shirish Seth (current) &
Kalyanjibhai Mota (former), Vice President Dr. Manibhai Mehta, Chicago
JSGfounderpresident Dr.Arvind Shah, Dr. RashmikantGardi and others. It
wasagrandsuccessfulfunction. .
The founding period of 1984-86, saw stabilization ofour group with
moderate growth. Being in both the executive committees, the Jain Center
and Jain Social Group, I was able to develop good rapport with our larger
sister organization LA Jain Center. Succeeding Administrations have done
wonderfuljobofgrowth,varietyofprograms andbrotherhood(JSG mottoof
work and walk together). The next administration of Anil Shah was on
explosive growthpath, almost doubling the group size. Then, chronological
administrations ofSudhir Sheth, RajendraVora, Subodh Sheth, Dr. Mahipal
Shah, DhirenMehta,PradipDalal,Raj Dhami andMaheshSanghviprovided
growth and leadership. Pradip Dalal contributed the special leadership of
unityandstabilitybymultipleterms.
Over the years JSG-LA has donated money to charities. Four
membership directories have been published. JSG always supports Jain
Center fully in all its endeavors. Our JSG group contributed $15,000 to
JCSCforallkitchenequipmentandutensilstofirstJainBhavanin1988(th

Page #26
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presentvalue would be more than $50,000 now). Underpresident Rajendra
Vora, JSG started free medical expo and after sometime, Jain Centerjoined
us. With that spirit of cooperation, the annual medical expo (in
March/April), has become very successful with hundreds taking advantage
offreeconsulting, diagnosticsand lab work inmanymedicaldisciplines. In
Marchofthis year, almost 400 people took advantage, regardless ofcaste,
creed, color, religion ornational origin. Ithas amajorpositive impactonthe
local community. Thanks to our good friend and former president ofJain
CenterDr.NitinShah.
JSG-LA contributed money and services to Red Cross and others
during earth quake,wild fires, floods and othernatural calamities in US and
India. Ourgroupname isNOTonlysocialgroup,butitisJAINsocial group.
AllJSGactivitiesand foodmenusarestrictly inaccordancewiththetenetsof
Jainism and scriptures. JSG often arranges meetings and dialog with Jain
dignitaries. In the past, we had meetings with Dr. Kumarpal Desai, Dr.
HukumchandBharrill etal.
With the humble beginning of60 members in 1984, the JSG-LAhas
outgrown to more than 250 members with a waiting list. Our growth
continued unchecked,to the point that another JSG group wasstarted in LA
area under the dynamic leadership of Rajendra Vora, who also served as
International VP in the JSG Federation. I am indeed very proud ofJSG-LA
progressandveryhappywiththegrowthofJSGactivitiesandexcitedwithits
bright future. The JSG-LA group has completed 25 years of wonderful
programs. Just recently, it celebrated its grand function of Silver Jubilee.
The members and Executive Committees ofthe past 25 years deserve many
congratulations.
JSG-LA has served our Jain community very well and contributed
toward unity and brotherhood in Jain Sangh. Various committees and their
members, and others helped to makeit successful. It is all team spirit and
genuine effort. Following humble beginning in 1984, the organization
blossomedinto one ofthe best in the area. JSG-LAhelpsbring its members
together(social networking)andpromotesunityandlove. Maythisendeavor
ofbringing closeness amongst our community and fostering deeper bonds
betweenmemberscontinuefordecadestocome.

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LastthingIwantto sayisthatby ourpastgood deeds andPunya
Karmas, weall gotthis human birth and goodlife here. Let us continue
that tradition of helping others and community service. Bhagwan
Mahavir says that the way to be happyis to make others happy and
servicebeforeself.
Our very best wishes to JSG-LA for continued success, growth and
achievements. MayMahavir SwamiandShasanDevblessall. JaiJinendra
andJaiPrabhu.

Page #28
SudhirKothari, (714) 309-4340, kothari_sudhir@yahoo.com
MahendraKhandhar, (714) 404-7011, mkkhandhar@hotmail.com