Jain Digest 2007 04

SR No.: 527103
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 60
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 9 MB

Page 43

NEWS FROM CANADA
Our first major function after the cold winter was Mahavir Jayanti celebrations on 31st March 2007. Due to phenomenal growth in number of Jains in Greater Toronto in last few years, we have to hire huge halls to accommodate over 1000 people.
The venue this time was Swaminarayan Mandir Meeting Hall. The program started with puja at 2 o'clock. We had a special guest, Dilipbhai Shah from Philadelphia and First Vice President of JAINA.
This year's program was organized by our youths and was extremely successful and well received by young and old. The main feature was a play on 3 of 27 past lives of Bhagwan Mahavir.
In Act One, Bhagwan Mahavir born as Naysar helps group of Sadhus lost in jungle with food and directions. Bhagwan's soul achieved Samyak Darshan (Right Faith) in this life of Naysar.
In Act Two, Bhagwan's sixteenth birth, as Vishwabhuti, the young actors show how years of sadhna and diksha prayay were lost in a feat of anger when Bhagwan threw the cow up in air.
In Act Three, 23rd Bhav, Bhagwan born, as Priyamitra becomes a Chakravarti, then takes Diksha and practises intense sadhna and eventually acquires Tirthankar NamKarma that leads him into 27th Bhav when he becomes Tirthankar Mahavir.
This was very laudable effort by children of Pathshala of our Sangh and all the young actors, directors, producers and other helpers are to be congratulated for a job well done. The evening was concluded with speeches from our President and Dilipbhai Shah followed by swamivatsalya Bhojan.
On same evening, there was a fund raising dinner organized by IMJM. Jain Society's late Trustee, who died suddenly last month, was remembered.
A third function organized by members of Jain Society took place that same evening. Over $16,000 was raised for Child Haven, a charity that runs seven ashrams for orphans in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
On the sad note, we lost our energetic and popular Trustee, Sobhagyaji Khamesra last month to a massive heart attack. He was also very popular as President of the Society in 1997 when he successfully managed 9th JAINA Convention in
Jain Digest Summer 2007
Toronto. The large audience who came to his funeral attested to his popularity.
E
In the month of December, Dr. M. Emmanuel, author of Dravid Lineage and the Jains, came to Toronto and gave a talk related to his research. The material he delivered was new to many of those who attended the presentation at the Jain Centre.
The AGM of Jain Society on 15th April witnessed peaceful passage of the New Constitution that incorporates our Jain Sangh, thus indemnifying against future litigation and it also modified the structure so that it functions more
efficiently. The addition of 'Code of Conduct' affirms our Jain values.
Our next meeting will be to elect three new Trustees was announced.
THE JAIN ASSOCIATION OF MONTREAL, CANADA. celebrated Bhagavan Mahavir Swami Janma Kalyanak on 31 March, 2007. This time it was special because we were lucky to have Ashwini Prajnaaji from India. He gave a good lecture on Mahavir Bhagavan.
Beside this occation, he stayed with us for another 3 days and we had good Satsang at each other's house. We had a good gathering at Hindu temple where he spoke on ANGER (KRODH ) Managment. There was a big audience and everybody appreciated.
Temple management gave open invitation to come back. One day he kept a workshop of YOGA and MEDITATION. It was very very good. At this time he visited OTTAWA, ONT. also for Mahavira Jayanti and other pravachan. He left on 8th for Vancoure from Montreal.
Thus this Mahavira Jayanti was different than usual. Hope we have him again and again.
Events in Edmonton, Alberta
- The Hindu Cultural Centre where we have our temples, The Aymbil Ori started on March 25th and ended on underwent massive renovation projects and as a result, all the Murtis were disturbed. "A Jeernoddhar Ceremony has April 2nd. been planned for Jain Pratima to take place on Saturday, June 23rd, 2007
- Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 08 in the presence of over 200 people.
- With the Oil Boom in Alberta, more Jain families have
arrived in the Province.
-We have been permitted to organize a display on Jainism at the City Hall from September 09 - 27, 2007
NEW & EVENTS
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