Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1988 07 Jain Bhavan Inauguration

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 20

These organizations have been founded with several common objectives:
Math. The latter two have been credited with their voyages to the West to spread the gospel of the Tirthankaras. Sri Virendra Heggade, the Ecclesiastical Head of Dharmastala, is also credited with carrying the message of Jain heritage to the West.
A) to practice, promote and propagate the Jain Re
ligion with no fundamental difference. In other words, an integrated and unified Jain Faith with views and values of different dimensions but no sectionalism.
Acharya Sushil Kumar Jain came to North America with his Muni Sangha. Pujya Chitrabhanuji has succeeded in establishing a Jain Meditation Center for preaching Jain ethics, rites, and rituals.
B) to have a Jain Bhavan which will house the
temple for worship and a meeting place for social and cultural gatherings.
Many Jain scholars have visited North America and have contributed significantly in the enrichment of our Jain heritage here. They include:
C) celebrate major Jain festivals
D) hold regular Jain classes for children
E) arrange youth group activities
F) disseminate local and national news about Jain
communities.
Dr. Ratan Kumar Jain from Nagpur Dr. Hukum Chand Bharill from Jaipur Dr. Prem Suman Jain from Udaipur Dr. Kumarpal Desai from Ahmedabad Dr. Soneji (Atamandji) from Koba (Ahmedabad) Dr. Manharbhai Shah of Ahmedabad, editor of Dharma Dhara Induben Dhanak, singer and devotee of Shrimad Rajchandra Prof. Pratapkumar Toliya, founder of Vardhaman Bharti in Banglaore Prof. Bhagchandra Jain of Nagpur Dr. Vrashabh Jain, Editor or Ahimsa Vani from Aliganj (U.P.) Shri M.K. Dharma Raja, Editor of Gommatavani Dr. T. G. Kalghatgi of Madras University
While these organizations cater to the needs of their respective members, there are other organizations at the national and international levels. One such organization is the Federation of Jain Associations in North America, founded in Los Angeles during the summer of 1981. Its objective is to foster fellowship and unity among Jain communities in North America.
Jain Meditation International, an organization founded by Pujya Chitrabhanuji, caters mainly to Western non-Jains seeking the spiritual immersion of Jain meditation, yoga, vegetarianism, peace, friendship, and salvation.
Visits by these Munis, Bhattarakas, scholars and other dignitaries have brought a keen sense of awareness into the Jain communities of North America. However, it is a monumental task to channel the strengths of interested individuals into a cohesive force of an organization. Nevertheless, efforts in this area have been very successful. Many Jain Societies and Centers have been established across North America. They include Jain Centers in Boston, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Southern Califor- nia and Northern California. (A complete list of these organizations in North America is included elsewhere in this brochure.)
Siddhachalam, a community of Jain monks and nuns, shravakas and shravikas is a beautiful 108 acre hilltop place. It calls for the establishment of Pancha Tirth. Acharya Sushil Kumar's divine inspiration has brought Siddhachalam into reality.
The practice of Jainism in North America has emphasized the idea of the oneness of being a Jain.