________________
In addition, there are regular monthly programs for adults in which youth members also participate. Summer camps are also organized by local Jain centers for youth. During 1990, the following Jain centers organized summer camps:
Name of Center # of Youths # of Days Washington IMJM Canada
35
4
50
Phoenix
20
St. Louis
55
10
"Extending Jain Heritage to the Next Generation"
Buffalo
110
Pittsburgh Southern California 70 Connecticut
15
45
N. Carlifornia Chicago
50
Summer campsare planned for 1991 by the center listed above (except for St. Louis) plus the Jain Sangh of N.J., Atlanta, Toronto, and New York.
Southern Louisian
Southern California
10
3
3
3
7
3
3
Jain Essay competition is one of the youth activities organized by local centers. During 1990, the following Jain centers sponsored Jain essay competi
tion:
2
3
Name of Centers # of Youths North Carolina, Raleigh
9
IMJM, Canada
6
4 per month
3 per month
2 per month
1 per month
1 in 2 months
1 in 3 months Infrequently
Jain Education International 2010_03
Adult Programs
A typical program for adult Jains include prayers, snatra puja, meditation, lectures by Jain scholars and aarti. Such programs are generally organized once a month. The frequency of these programs is shown below: Frequency of Adult Programs # of Centers
1
1
4
15
1
2
15 N/A
1
25
Total
A few centers organize programs for adults which include group "Ayambil", group "samayik", "Panch Teerth Yatra", camp for adults, picnic
and the like.
Tapascharya
Fasting is one of the important activities for Jains, specially during "Paryushan" and "Daslaxana" time. The survey shows a lot of Tapascharya at numerous centers during 1190: Fasting Duration # of Individuals More than 8 days
17 67
8 days 2-7 days
156
Some of the Jain's fasting for more than 8 days are observing "Varshi Tap Sadhna" (i.e. one year's fast on alternate date).
In addition, hundreds of Jains observe one day fast or partial day fast (Ekasana). Some Jain centers conduct Tapascharya bidding on the Sapna Day during Paryushana and encourage members to get involved in some form of Tapascharya.
Paryushana/Daslaxana
This most important8/10days festival is celebrated by all centers; however, the duration of the celebration varies as follows: Duration of the Festival
1 day
2 days
3 days
8 days
18 days
Total
# of Centers
2
1
1
17
4
25
"Saamvatsari," the last day of "Paryushan," is celebrated on the actual day by all centers except four centers which celebrate it on the nearest weekend. Only eight centers conduct "Pratikraman" in English for youth members on Samvatsari Day. With the publication of two booklets on Pratikraman in English, more centers are expected to organize English Pratikraman for youths (some adults also attend it). Some centers celebrate "Anant Chaturdashi" the last day of Daslaxana, "Dhoop Dashmi" before "Anant Chaturdashi," and "Khamavni" the day after "Anant Chaturdashi."
On the "Sapna Divas", eleven centers conduct "Ghee Boli" to raise money. Except for five centers, which have temples, the "Ghee Boli" money is not restricted for the temple use only. It should be noted that the Ghee Boli
tradition is followed only by one segment of Jains (temple goer Swetambars) in India, and the money raised through Ghee Boli is restricted for maintenance.
The Buffalo Jain Community, for example, has replaced "Ghee Boli" with reformed method of raising funds. The community decides in advance a small amount of donation for carrying a sapna or doing other rituals. Those who want to participate in the ceremony fill out a form and drop in a box. Participants' names are drawn by lot by a youth at the time of the ceremony. People contribute the minimum, most of the time more than the minimum, but the amount is not announced individually. Additionally, each sapna is recited in English by a different youth. These reforms have generated renewed interest in the younger generation.
Many centers provide speakers on Jainism to non-profit organizations such as schools, Rotary Clubs, churches, YMCAs and the like. Some Kutchi Jains have started organizing medical camps in Kutch (Gujarat), India since 1989 to help sick people.
Publications on Jainism
Local Jain Centers, besides publishing newsletters and membership directories, also publish limited religious materials of the following type:
• Reprint of articles from Jain magazines.
Publication of out of print books on Jainism (N. Carolina-Raleigh)
.
•
Pratikraman in English booklet (St. Louis and San Diego) Pratikraman in English booklet (St. Louis and San Diego)
Jain essays prepared by local youth members
Book of Stavans (S. Carolina)
This is one area where the national Jain organizations could play an important role and provide the pertinent Jain literature to local centers at reasonable cost. Twelve centers have established a Jain library consisting of books, video and audio cassettes on Jainism for use by their members.
6TH BIENNIAL JAINA CONVENTION JULY 1991 39 For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
