Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1998 07 10th Anniversary of Jain Bhavan

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

Page 134

Personal Perspectives of Members on Impact of Jain Center in Their Lives
Amrish Parekh, age 17
The Jain Bhavan has done many things to my life, so many that I do not believe can put them into words. The Jain Bhavan has given me the opportunity to learn a great amount of information concerning Jainism which consequently allowed me to gain the important knowledge to know who I am, and where I am from.
I attend our Jain Bhavan every other Sunday to learn more about our religion. However, this is not the only reason I go. I go to see new friends, people who have the same interests and background as I do. The Bhavan is a place where I can meet my friends while learning about our religion, and the combination of both made going to the Bhavan not only fun, but inspiring also.
The Bhavan inspired me to become a new person, a person that would not only be able to learn about my religion, but also to live my religion. It gave me a place of being, a place where I knew I had friends, and a place where I could spiritually be happy. It no longer was a dull and boring place where I would just sit in a class all day, but is now a place where I can talk to my friends and play some football in the parking lot. People that I met from the Bhavan became my closest and dearest friends.
Without our Jain Bhavan, my basis of Jainism and cultural identity would not exist because I would have no place to explore my religious beliefs. I am very grateful that I live so close to such a place. The people and ethics of the Jain Bhavan changed my life and gave me a sense of belonging.
I would like to practice more Jainism which will take me closer to my goal-moksha.
- Bijal Mehta (11)
Jain Education Intemational