Jain Bhavan Southern California

SR No.: 528521
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center Southern California
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California
Total Pages: 12
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Bhavan California, & USA
File Size: 2 MB

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JAIN BHAVAN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM
INTRODUCTION
With a sense of great pride and accomplishment, we recently celebrated the 11th anniversary of the inauguration of the Jain Bhavan. Our Jain Bhavan was the first custom designed facility in North America to meet the religious, cultural and social needs of the Jain community. It has been a showcase of community spirit, dedication and cooperation amongst the Jain community of Southern California. Our Jain Bhavan has become a symbol of identity for the pursuit and practice of the Jain religion and cultural heritage.
Following the inauguration of the existing facility in July 1988, the Jain Bhavan has been fully utilized for all the intended activities as planned. For the past 11 years, the Jain Bhavan has been a focal point for religious, educational, cultural, community service, and outreach activities. Over these years, the requirements as well as the size of our community have increased steadily, and we now need to re-plan our facilities to fulfill the demands of our expanded community. Our goal is to integrate and develop the existing Jain Bhavan and the adjoining two properties into a multipurpose Jain Bhavan Complex which will once again fulfill the needs of our community well into the next millennium. In brief, our plan is to renovate and enlarge the existing Derasar; build a large meeting hall, a dining hall, and adequate number of Swadhaya and Pathshala rooms; and provide for ample parking. In addition, we plan to accommodate a priceless wooden replica of the famous Palitana Jain Temple, a museum, and the JAINA National Library, which is a very valuable resource for scholars and students of Jainism. These amenities will propel our Jain Bhavan into a prominent destination of international repute for pilgrimage, tourism, and scholarly pursuits.
uncovered that the City of Buena Park had rezoned the entire block, including both of our properties, whereby not only we could not proceed with our expansion plan, but also the use of our existing facility was in jeopardy. At this stage, our immediate priority was to ask the City of Buena Park to reverse the zoning. We filed our case with the City, attended their study session, presented our case at the Planning Commission meeting and finally received their favorable ruling, which put us back on the track again to begin planning for the expansion. After several meetings, discussions and debates, the first set of layout plans were prepared and published in June 1996 for review by the entire community. In the meanwhile, the Jain Center purchased a neighborhood vacant lot for parking, approximately 12,000 square feet in size, located next to the Airport Inn.
During the 1996 Paryushan program, our fund raising effort for the expansion project gathered strong momentum. However, our focus and priority changed when the adjoining Post Office building was offered for sale. Following the consent of the entire community, the Jain Center bought the Post Office building in August 1997. Additionally, in 1999 the Jain Center acquired the Volvo property located across the Jain Bhavan to meet the parking code requirements.
During 1998 and 1999, we continued with our efforts to develop a master plan for an integrated, multipurpose Jain Bhavan Complex which would incorporate elements of grace and beauty of the Jain culture and heritage. Careful planning and great emphasis have been exercised on the renovation of the Derasar which will increase in size and will be the most aesthetically pleasing component of the entire complex.
PROPOSED PLANS
The proposed master plans for the expansion and renovation of our Jain Bhavan were introduced to our community during the 1998 Paryushan program. Based on the input received from our community members during the past four years and the discussions with the City of Buena Park officials, the capacities of the proposed facilities and amenities have been maximized to serve the religious, educational, cultural and social needs of our growing community well into the next millennium. An integrated, multipurpose Jain Bhavan will include - a religious complex, a cultural complex, and an Atma Sadhana Kendra. The proposed Jain Bhavan Complex has been designed into three functional areas as follows:
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PROJECT HISTORY
The roots for our Jain Bhavan expansion were firmly planted with the purchase of the adjoining vacant land in 1993.
During the 1994 Paryushan program, the Executive Committee conducted a survey of our community members to ask their opinions about the development of the adjoining vacant lot and the renovation of our present facility. Based on that survey, a "wish list" was compiled that included a large meeting hall, a library, a larger kitchen and dinning hall, a space to display the wooden temple replica, office rooms, storage facilities, a souvenir shop and a bookstore, exhibit areas, waiting areas, adequate number of rooms for Pathshala and Swadhyay, a play area for children, ample parking, residential quarters for a custodian and guests, and additional rest rooms. There was also an overwhelming request to keep the Derasar in its present location. Further, in 1994 the Jain Center took possession of the wooden temple replica that was donated to us in 1987.
During the 1995 Paryushan program, a color rendering of a proposed new facility was presented to the community. During this historical event, graced with the presence of Shri Chitrabhanuji, our community members gave enthusiastic consent to proceed with the expansion and renovation project and backed it up by pledging nearly $500,000 in donations within 45 minutes.
In January 1996, capabilities of several architectural firms were carefully evaluated and one was selected to develop the Jain Bhavan expansion plans. During this process, we
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A religious complex which will include the Derasar and Gyan Mandir. It will be located in the existing Jain Bhavan building which will be renovated. A cultural complex which will include a large meeting hall, a kitchen and dining hall, the wooden temple replica, a museum, several Swadhyay rooms, and an underground parking facility. It will be located in a new building to be erected next to the existing Jain Bhavan facility. Atma Sadhana Kendra which will include several facilities for Swadhaya and Pathshala activities. It will be located in the existing Post Office Building which will be renovated.
Detailed layouts of the proposed plans and amenities are included in this brochure. These plans will be submitted to the City of Buena Park within next 60 days for formal approval.