Jain Digest 2011 04

SR No.: 527119
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 80
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 18 MB

Page 24

Society has created avenues of communication
among the Jain Northern American community.
The Jain community has clearly established its presence by building some of the most unique and exquisite Jain temples in many NA metropolitans. In some of the smaller cities, the Jain community has joined hands with the larger Hindu community to build a common place of worship. The unique Shikharji replica at the Siddhachalam inspired by the late Acharya Sushil Kumarji has become a Tirth in NA. The three JVB centers where Samanijis are present throughout the year, the meditation center of Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, and certain other Jain or Jain philosophy based meditation centers, established a firm footing for Jainism in NA. The full list of temples and place of Jain worship in NA is included in this edition.
Acharya Sushil Kumarji
Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago
435 Houte 50, Martin, IL 60103 (630) 837-1077/1099
Pratishtha of many temples in 1990s
Jain tradition for centuries has been kept alive by succession of Acharyas and their monk followers. They have not only followed the rigorous physical and mental discipline to purify their own soul but have also tirelessly preached the path of righteousness among the Jain sanghs. However, the tradition of Jain sadhus prescribed in the ancient Jain canons to avoid the use of vehicular travel, limits travel of such great saints to NA. However, most Jain sects have come up with their own solutions to spread the message of Bhagwan Mahavir in NA. To begin with, certain groups have accepted that modern time, requires changes to certain traditions and have effectively accepted limited vehicular means of travel. Frequent travel and eloquent lectures by monks like Acharya Sushil Kumarji, Acharya Chandanaji, Roop Chand Maharaj, Munishri Munichandraji Maharaj (and his younger brothers - Triputi) and Muni Amrendra
24ation International
JAIN DIGEST.. May 2011
have benefitted the Jain community of North America. Other Jain sects that refuse to accept vehicular travel for
sadhus have instead preferred to send their blessing or message to the NA Jain community via scholars or pundits. The late Acharya Tulsi of the Terapanth sect came up with a unique solution by starting a new order of Samans and Samanis, who were given limited freedom of vehicular travel, till their Guru allowed them to take the full diksha. From the Digamber Jain tradition, NA had visits from Bhattarak, scholars and in some cases Ailaka (trainee ascetics) who have been granted limited permission by their guru to travel. The eloquent Sri Rakeshbhai Zaveri, who is a follower of Shrimad Rajchandra, not only travels frequently to NA, but also uses long distance learning techniques to conduct shibirs. The influence of these scholars and monks, especially those who are mostly resident in NA, have inspired many members outside the Jain community to believe in certain tenets of the Jain philosophy. For example, Gurudev Chitrabhanuji has influenced Non-Jains to adopt vegetarianism. Similarly, samanijis at the JVB centers have a large Non-Jain following. Jainism In Northern America (Present) The Jain Centers and JAINA are very actively
Late Bhattarakh Devkirtiji- Digamber Influence in NA
Pathshala students performing at Jain Center of Southern California