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 9

JAIN CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
A Historical Perspective
The Jain Center of Southern California was estab- lished in 1979 as a nonprofit religious institution to provide a forum for Jains to observe and perform the Jain auspicious events, to preserve Jain culture for future generations, and to promote fellowship among all Jains. It caters to the needs of about 500 Jain families in Southern California and most of these families live in the Los Angeles metropolitan аrеа.
Jain Bhavan is an oustanding facility which has been custom designed to serve the religious, cultural, and social needs of the Jain community. It consists of a temple, a large meeting hall, dining hall, kitchen, library, and two study rooms. It is a show case of Jain community spirit, dedication and cooperation. It is a symbol that any Jain can be proud of.
The Center took the initiative and helped organize the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA). It hosted the first ever Jain Convention in North America in Los Angeles during May 1981.
The Center is growing rapidly. There are over 200 life members with a mailing list of 500 which includes individuals and institutions in the U.S.A. and abroad. More than 700 people participate in the observance of Paryushan. Current activities include:
The Mahila Mandal was chartered in 1981 and Puja activities were started on a regular basis. The Jain Center Youth Council (JCYC) was initiated in 1982 with the objectives of teaching Jain religion and Gutarati language to the Jain youngsters and to help develop youth fellowship and community service.
• Paryushana observances and other Jain celebra
tions · Mahila Mandal and twice a month Pujas • Swayamsevak Mandal (Youth Council) • Jain pathshala (classes) and children's camps
Swadhyay/Mumukshu Mandal with 2 meetings
per week • Jain library with about 500 books and periodicals • Lectures by visiting munijis, Jain dignitaries and
scholars
Shibirs (camps) with Jain scholars and Munijis • Participation in Jain Federation activities
A beautiful hand carved teakwood replica of the Palitana temple (one-sixth scale) was owned by a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Center played a leading role in securing the custody of this replica in 1987 after protracted negotiations.
Ever since its inception, the members of the Jain Center had a strong desire to have their own temple as well as a meeting hall and classrooms to conduct a pathshala for youngsters. The year 1983 saw significant movement and planning in that direction when a fund raising drive was launched. The con- certed efforts and hard work by many members finally resulted in the acquisition of land in 1985. The ground breaking ceremony took place in march, 1987, and construction began in June, 1987. The completion of the Jain Bhavan was accomplished in a record time of about ten months in April, 1988.
As it approaches the end of the first decade, the Center can be proud of its many activities and accomplishments with the crowning achievement being the completion of the Jain Bhavan. A good rapport has been established with other Jain organizations and local Indian associations. The Center hopes to host the next (fifth) biennial convention of the Jain Federation in Los Angeles during the summer of 1989.