Jain Digest 1995 06 Vol 11 No 02

SR No.: 527058
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1995
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 8 MB

Page 25

HISTORY OF JAIN CENTERS IN NORTH AMERICA
The Jain Center, Alberta, Canada
The first settlement of Jains in Alberta, Canada began in the mid-1960's. The Jain population begin to increase in the early 1980's at the height of the oil boom. Many came from Africa, India and England. The Jains became very active and participated in community service with various Indian groups and societies. The Jains became an intregal part of many of these societies and held high positions in them. Jains are highly respected by all communities.
In 1988, the family of Mahendra Jain brought Bhagwan Mahavir's Pratimaji to Edmonton. The Hindu Culture Center gladly offered a space in their Center to install the Pratimaji. In 1989, the official Pratishta was conducted in Edmonton and Bhagwan Mahavir's Pratimaji was installed with a traditional celebration and with much religious fervour. This event was attended by representatives of all the Indian communities from all over Alberta. Nearly 600 people came, making it the largest gathering of its kind for a religious function. The ceremony was performed by Shree Sushil Kumar Kalia and a Souvenir Book was published and distributed to all free-of-charge. This was an important step in bringing the awareness of Janism to Albertans. Since that event all important religious days and festivals are observed regularly in the Hindu Culture Center.
The Province of Alberta is one of the richest provinces in Canada, with 255,285 sq. miles and a population of nearly 2.3 million. Edmonton is the largest city and capital of Alberta with a population of 700,000 people. The first settlers came to Alberta in 1861. It's economy is based on oil, gas, coal, wheat, forestry and their related industries. It also has a flourishing tourist industry.
There are over 30,000 Indians living in Alberta. There are 35 Jain families. Most of them live in the two major centers of Alberta - Edmonton and Calgary. There are six temples of various denominations and six gurudwaras, one of which is the largest outside India. A replica of Golden Temple of Amritsar, is nearing completion in Edmonton. There are three Hindu Temples and six Gurudwaras in Calgary and several others in other towns in the Province.
In 1992, the Jain families with the blessings of the Hindu Cultural Center and Jains all over Alberta, began raising funds to build a Jain Temple within the Hindu Temple complex in Edmonton. The Temple was officially opened during the Mahavir Jayanti Celebration in 1993. Over 400 people gathered to participate in the Pratishta ceremony, in spite of a severe snow storm. A second souvenir book was published. The new resident priest, Shree Shiv Shankar Dwevedi, conducted the ceremony. The priest now conducts all of the ceremonies on all important occasions. Thus Jainism has reached an important milestone in Alberta.
As the number of Jain families has increased, the Jains began to celebrate some festivals such as Puryushan and Nirvana Day privately by late 1970's. These celebrations began to influence other communities, especially the Hindus. Jains have always maintained a small prayer room in their homes.
In 1990 and 1993, His Holiness Shri Charukirti Bhattarak of Moodbridi, India visited Alberta and addressed many including an address at the University of Alberta. His visit was widely publicized because it was the first visit by a Jain Monk to Western Canada. In 1990 the first home Chairyalaya (Jain Temple) was established in the home of Jitendra and Savita Shah in Edmonton. Pran Pratishta was conducted by Shree Charukirti Maharaj. Mulnayak (principle idol) is Bhagwan Parswanath. Everyone is welcomed for darshana and pooja at their home.
In 1980, Mrudula Mehta observed an eight day fast during Puryushan and all the Jain families met at Mehta's house to celebrate this occasion. This event began the community's aware- ness for the need of a regular meeting place where dialogues and observances of important festivals could take place.
Jain families conduct pooja every Sunday at the temple and meet regularly during the year. Two more Pratimajis of Bhagwan Rushbhadev and Bhagwan Parswanath have been ordered from India and will be installed in the Temple in near future.
Jains celebrated the Mahavir Jayanti officially in the Hindu Temple, Edmonton in 1986. Many Jains travelled from all over Alberta to participate. A pooja book was published for this occasion. Shree Sushil Kumar Kalia, the Hindu Culture Center's Priest who conducted all poojas for the Jains gave them much encouragment.
This is a first in a series of articles that will chronicle the development of the Jain movement in different parts of North America. If you have the history of your Jain Center chronicled in your area, send it to the Jain Digest in care of the Editor in Chief.
The Jains in Calgary are also very active. They meet regularly and celebrate all the important festivals. On many occasions all Jains, from all over Alberta travel to Edmonton where a Jain Center has been established.
June 1995 Jain Education International 2010_02
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