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Until late 1960's, the number of Indians and Jains in the US were relatively few and limited to those who came for higher education and then established here. They practiced Jainism and Paryushana individually or in small groups, based on their family traditions and upbringing. There was little organized effort or established Jain Centers / Societies.
The Formatting Years: 1979-1981 Shree Mahendrabhai Khandhar
Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji came to USA in 1972, while late Acharya Sushilkumarji came in 1975. Both of them organized international institutions of Jain Meditation (IJMC) and Mahavir Mission (IMJM) respectively. With their inspiration and guidance, establishment of Jain temples began around 1980 across the US.
In the Los Angeles area, there were about 200 Jain families during the mid - 70's. Most of them followed Jain rituals in small groups, utilizing house-temple. Lalit C. Shah first conceived the idea of organizing Jain Center at local level (in LA/So Cal area) as well as at national level (in North America). Working hard, several informal community meetings ensued to discuss the local Jain Center over a period of 12 months, with particular attention to goals, constitution, organization, activities, location and finance. Finally, the Jain Center of Southern California was born on September 15, 1979.
The following are highlights and summary of the First Administration of Jain Center of So Cal, from Sep 15, 1979 through Dec 31, 1981.
1. It was agreed & firmly established that:
⚫ all work will be voluntary
Jain Center will have a broad base of Southern California (rather than Los Angeles only)
Jain Center will conduct its activities without any considerations of Jain sects
all its meetings (including dinner) will be free & open to all (member or not)
⚫ all its transactions will be fair, open & audited
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all committee members and account books will be accessible to all members at any time
a newsletter will communicate with the members regarding news/upcoming events/summary of past events/religious articles/prayers/children's comer/donations listing
Jain Center will have monthly/bimonthly meetings with an invited speaker from US/India as well as local experts
Jain Center meetings will have devotional songs & children's items
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Jain Education International
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Being a Jain and practicing Jainism brings true inner peace inside me. - Priya Sheth (15)
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| SR No. | 528132 |
| Book Title | Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1998 07 10th Anniversary of Jain Bhavan |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Jain Center So CA Los Angeles |
| Publisher | USA Jain Center Southern California |
| Publication Year | 1998 |
| Total Pages | 150 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center CA So Los Angeles, & USA |
| File Size | 5 MB |