Jain Digest 1997 11

SR No.: 527069
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 8 MB

Page 10

REGIONAL NEWS (continued)
30 and there is a potential of 200 members. The youths have already completed two events, an annual picnic and a Toronto Raptors basketball game at the Skydome. They are now planning a slate of Christmas programs which include a religious seminar with Dr.Bruce Costain (Balbhadraji). A special committee is struck to encourage all youths to attend Pathshala classes held at Jain Centre and in East Toronto.
Midwest
Manubhai Doshi, Regional Editor Chicago, Illinois
Usual Activities. Snatra Puja and Digambar Puja are performed every Sunday. Sthanakwasi friends get together on the first Sunday of every month for chanting of Navkarmantra etc. Raj-Bhakti is performed on the third Sunday in Jnanamandir. Panchakalyanak and other pujas are performed sometimes. Arati and Mangal Dip are done every evening in the temple and Jnanamandir. Religious classes are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 noon.
Paryushan and Das Laxana Parva. Paryushan Parva was celebrated from 30th August to 6th September. Kiranbhai Parekh gave discourses and Natwarbhai Soni recited devotional songs at Bhavana. Mahavir Janmavanchan was organized on 31 August when about 1500 people were present. Samvatsari Pratikraman was performed in English as well as Gujarati on 6th September. Samuh Parana, the collective termination, was organized on the 7th. The Parva witnessed the observance of austerities on a large scale. 41 persons inclusive of teenagers observed Atthai (Eight days' fast) and 3 persons observed longer fasts. 82 people
West continued from page 11
on Wednesdays which were hosted at the homes of various members, and taught yoga, meditation and religious classes on Saturdays and Sundays. We celebrated Anant
8/JAIN DIGEST WINTER 1997
Jain Education Intemational
Edmonton, Alberta
The Alberta Jain Society together with the Alberta Gujarati Association celebrated Navratri and Diwali this fall. The Alberta Gujarati Association is hosting the 3rd Biennial Gujarati Folk Dance Festival of Western Canada/U.S.A. from August 1-3, 1998 in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Nirvana Day was celebrated at the temple on Sunday, Nov.2nd, 1997 and the
observed fasts ranging from three to seven days. All of them were honored by the Society for their performance. Das Laxana Parva was celebrated from 7th to 16th September in the presence of Dr. Ajitkumar Jain. Daily Puja and other religious rituals were observed during that period. The Samvatsari Pratikraman was performed on the last day.
Prof. Joe Grabill of Illinois State University, normally visited the temple along with his students on September 23rd and the Theosophical Group of Wheaton visited on 6th October under the leadership of Joan McDougal. Those groups were guided by Manubhai Doshi who also gave necessary information about Jainism and its historical background.
Discourses Etc. Discourses of Dhirajlal Pandit were held at the JainCenter from 8th to 14th October. The birthday of Laghurajswami was celebrated on October
26.
Diwali Celebration. Diwali celebration was organized on November 2. The program started with the Puja which was followed by a discourse of Sudhaben Sheth. There was a Bhavana program of a musical
Chaudharsh and the ghee boli for the sapnas, raised nearly $6,000.00 for the center. Diwali was celebrated on November 2 and the children presented several items on the topic of Lord Mahavir's Nirvana and his tapasaya
main puja was attended by 150 people. On Dec 28, 1997, a mass puja will take place at the temple in Edmonton to celebrate the Parsvanath Jayanti.
The Jain Society of Alberta has been invited to speak to their audience on Jainism by following organizations:
Bahai Faith, Royal Alexandria Hospital and North American Interfaith Network.
group after Sadharmivatsalya. That program continued till midnight and was attended by more than 1000 people.
Collection of Usable Clothes. A drive was conducted for collecting usable clothes for distribution to the needy people and 160 parcels were transported to Baltimore for shipment to India.
Detroit, Michigan
The Center conducts weekly Swadhyay for adults and the educational classes are held every month. The construction of the temple is almost complete and the installation ceremony has been tentatively planned during the independence week next year.
St. Louis, Missouri
Paryushan Parva was celebrated from August 30th to September 6th. Prof. Pratap Tolia was invited on that occasion to give discourses etc. Different Supans were earmarked for adults and youths and bids for them were invited ahead of the time of celebration. This helps in cutting down the time usually spent for Gheeboli. The Center is actively associated with the Hindu Temple project of St. Louis.
in the forest. Various members participated in preparing the dinner. Additional religious functions are being planned. For more information, please contact Jagdish Shah at 916/685-4716 or Naresh Jain at 916/4882601.