JAINA Convention 1991 07 Northern California

SR No.: 527513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 108
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Convention JAINA, & USA
File Size: 12 MB

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“Extending Jain Heritage to the Next Generation"
Lord Mahavir. The activities consist of religious teachings for children, adult discussions, reading of Jain literature, listening to cassettes on a variety of metaphysical subjects, Stavans and "dhuns", a few rituals, the celebration of Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan Parva, and visits by religious dignitaries.
Our most recent activity has been an annual weekend retreat to Siddhachalam. Typically, 60 to 70 people attend this retreat.
Our future plans are to invite a fulltime Jain professor at a local university to speak to our members, to expose Jain views amongst the non-Indians in North America, and to work in cooperation with JAINA and other associations to bring unity among the Jain population. Our successful Pathshala will fan out via a correspondence course, and we hope to continue our essay competition to encourage young Jains to learn more about their religion. We also hope to promote vegetarianism by printing and distributing literature to the general public.
The Jain Center of Greater Boston will continue to serve the community and work hand in hand with JAINA in promoting Jain ideology, ethics, and rituals in North America.
New Jain Center established
The Jain Center of Central Ohio was established on May 12, 1991 with headquarters in Columbus, OH. The idea for having a Jain Center was enthusiastically put up by Manubhai Bhatt and was welcomed by the Jain families during a visit of two of the Samanis at Bhartiya Temple in Columbus last year.
With further follow-up by Surender K. Jain and Girish Parikh and the advice of Dr. Sulekh Jain (President, JAINA), Jain families were contacted and invited to formalize the center. The executive committee consists of the following members: Girish Parik, president;, Surender K. Jain, co-president; Jitendra Shah, vice-president; Asis Jain, general secretary; Naresh Shah, treasurer; Shailesh Parikh, program director; and Varsha Krishnaswami, education chairperson. Dr. Sulekh Jain, Kirit Kapadia, and Manubhai Bhatt will remain as advisors. For further information, call Girish Parikh at (614) 8644581.
Presidents, Dr. Anant Jain (19821986), Dr. Jay Shah (86-87), Mr. Janak Daulat (87-88), Dr. Birendra Jain (8889), Mr. Atul Khara (89-90), and Mrs. Hansa Varia (90-91), have established a very rich tradition. From the outset, the uppermost emphasis has been on the education of the children.
On June 30, 1988, the society purchased an old church (approx. 2800 sq.ft.) at538 Apollo Road in Richardson, and is now considering adding 850 sq, ft. for a temple adjoining their present meeting hall.
The Society provides an excellent balance between the ritualistic and the intellectual needs of its members. A very active youth forum has also evolved, functioning independently under the guidance of adult members. The first Sunday of every month is Digambar Jain Puja; the second Sunday is Youth Forum and all regular board meetings; the third Sunday is a general body meeting of all members; and the fourth Sunday is Snatra Puja.
The membership has grown to about 100 families. The meeting starts with chanting of Navkar Mantra followed by Stavans, an adult education class in parallel with a children's education class, followed by a youth lecture and Aarti. At the end, a simple meal is served.
The society publishes a monthly newsletter which provides information regarding upcoming activities.
Jain Study Center of North Carolina
Every Saturday, The Jain Study Center of North Carolina has Lord Mahavir's Puja and Prayer at 11 a.m. On Sundays, the center holds monthly religious meetings, children's presentationon religious subjects, a children's religion class, and an adult discussion of religious topics.
Every Monday at 8 p.m. Khusal Mehta hosts a Swadhyay. Other activities include sales of religious books and audio cassettes, a relief fund activity (Jiva Daya, Donation of clothes, etc.), and a library.
The society keeps separate accounts for these various activities If you would like to contribute, please send your contribution check to the Jain Study Center of NC, 1119 Flanders St., Garner, NC 27529. Your donation is tax-deductible.
Jain Society of North Texas
In November 1982, Mrs. Daksha Shah and Mrs. Hansa Varia had a spontaneous idea of bringing together the Jain Community of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The two ladies joined forces in cooking together and inviting practically every Jain family in the area to Mr. Manoj Shah's (Daksha's) residence. About 30 families came out for the occasion. Upon the suggestion of the host, Dr. Anant Jain delivered an impromptu plea to the group to motivate them for the need for a temple and to form their own society. The group responded onthusiastically and thus came into exist ence the Jain Society of North Texas.
St. Louis Jains have very active center
The Jain Center of St. Louis was the proud host to Dr. Nathmal Tatia, the renowned Jain scholar, and his wife from Feb. 1-2.
In other news, The St. Louis Center awarded several scholarships at their Sapana Day program. The scholarships were endowed by a fund of $2000, started last year. The following members are thanked for their recent donations: Drs. Ravi and Usha Mehta, Satish and Kalpana Goela, Ashok and Saroj Bavishi, and Dipak and Kokila Shah. other various services.
The Jain Study Group of Charlotte
The Jain Study Group of Hindu Center in Charlotte, North Carolina has been in operation since 1981. They meet regularly every month in the Hindu Center in front of a gracious idol of
6TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION
JULY 1991
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