Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

SR No.: 528542
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 122
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center NC Raleigh, & USA
File Size: 15 MB

Page 70

The Learning
This has to be the Center's most outstanding achievement. Like many who grew up in an environment of Jain families and attended Jain Pathshala during school years, I believed that I had some familiarity with Jainism. I would now say that it is the Jain Study Center that has provided me with a basic understanding of Jainism and introduced me to the immense breadth and depth of its philosophy and knowledge. I have learnt so much from Pravinbhai's step by step presentations, his encouragement of questions, and his repetition of these presentations several times over the years! Whether during monthly meetings at different members' homes, or the conversations during walks though the woods at Umstead Park Jain Camp, or the book readings and interactive discussions at the weekly Swadhyaya at his home, Pravinbhai has brought about a deeper understanding of Jainism. I have learned much from the questions asked by all our other members. In addition, we have had eminent visitors who have given us learned discourses and opportunities for discussions. I have benefited from the revered Jain monks, sadhvi-jis, and the outstanding scholars who have visited our Center.
Some Reminiscences There have been so many memorable moments in the past twenty years of the Jain Study Center. During this time, I have been fortunate to contribute to some noteworthy events. During the year I was President of the Center, we had the Pratishtha of Mahavir Swamiji pratima at the Hindu Bhavan. Acharya Sushil Muniji graced the event. As part of the Jain BBS Committee, Pravin Shah, Kamlesh Shah, Pratyush Mehta, and I worked on the first electronic Bulletin Board service to provide information on Jainism through computers. I arranged for our Center to become one of the earliest Jainism web sites on the Internet on the UNC Sunsite computer and now our Center has its own web site at www.jainism.org. In 1993, long before Internet became generally known, our BBS Committee had a computer demonstration at the JAINA Convention in Pittsburgh. Kamlesh and I made presentations about the future of Internet as a tool of information technology for Jainism, well in advance of where the Web is today.
Our home has been blessed by having the auspicious Paryushan meeting of Mahavir Jayanti, the traditional Samyantsari Pratikraman, and the English Pratikraman so well attended by children and youth.
Our Center's participation and presence at the JAINA conventions also evoke exciting memories. At the 1993 Pittsburgh JAINA convention, our Center had an outstanding drama presentation on Diksha Mahotsav. The 1995 Chicago JAINA Conventions had our youth advance in a competitive Jain Quiz Bowl. At the 1997 Toronto JAINA convention, Artiben Shah, Arvind Shah, and I were leading the morning Stavan Recitations at 6:00 am, while Pravin Shah was conducting English Pratikraman in another session. The most recent 1999 Valley Forge JAINA convention saw the JAINA Ratns Award to Pravin Shah. In addition, we have had several members receive JAINA Awards over the years and we have had very successful book tables and computer booths at these conventions. Given the small size of our Center, it is so remarkable for us to have such outstanding participation at the national level.
I have enjoyed very much the participation in the cultural programs, the friendship of the families, and the support of the group in our personal lives. And of course, our Food Coordinators have provided excellent support for all our meetings.
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