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 41

Phenomenal Growth Continues: 1992 - 1993
Shree Girishbhai C. Shah
During 1992 our community grew rapidly. We were mailing about 700 mailers. The hall became crowded for about 1200 people attending Mahavir Janma Kalyanak during the Paryushana. We had outgrown our current facilities in less than five years since the opening of Jain Bhavan doors. We also started plans to incorporate our Jain Center
Next Door Land Acquired: Our big achievement was the acquisition of the next door land. With the blessing of Lord Mahavir we made it possible. The Kumbh Ceremony was performed in the presence of Pujya Shree Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji) on August 22, 1993.
Paryushana and Das Laxna Parva: The Siddhachakra Poojan and 108 Arhant Abhishek Poojan at our Jain Bhavan were performed by Shree Babubhai Kadiwala and his talented group of musicians during Memorial Day weekend in 1992. Paryushana was celebrated with Sadhvi Shree Vibhaji & Sadhvi Shree Yashaji from Veerayatan. Das Laxna Parva was celebrated with Shree Rajendrabhai Kamdar from Rajkot. The 1993 Paryushana was celebrated with late Shree Charukirti Bhattarakji from Mudbidri, Karnataka. Two young Shamanji from Ladnu, Rajashthan taught Preksha Dhyan during Das Laxna Parva.
Ahimsa Day: The first Ahimsa Day was celebrated on October 2, 1993 with a Pictorial Exhibition of Mahatma Gandhi's life provided by Shree Jagannathbhai Desai. The Mayor of City of Buena Park attended the Exhibition.
During 1993, the planning for next year's Jain Art Exhibition at LA County Museum of Art started. During summer several dignitaries and scholars visited our Jain Center.
Educational Activities: The JCYC classes for over 70 children were scheduled for twice a month all year round. The simultaneous adult class continued with about 30 people attending. As we grew, we needed more teachers and volunteers. The JCYC Winter Camp was a good incentive for the children to attend the classes. The children were learning Jain Philosophy and Gujarati language.
Jains don't believe in one God, they believe that God is our guide to Moksha and we are the
followers. - Vrinda Shah (11)
Jain Education Intemational