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 49

The Expansion Years: 1998 - cont'd
Shree Kantilal Shah
The current year is full of excitement and enthusiasm as we embark upon expanding our horizons and build a larger Jain Center for multitude of activities we conduct.
The Center conducts Paryushana, Das Laxna Parva, Tirthankar Kalyanaks, Pathshala (religious) classes, language classes, JCYC graduation, winter camp, poojas, ayambils, medical expo, Ahimsa awareness, community Outreach programs, and many special events.
In addition, we are blessed with visits by numerous religious monks, scholars and educators to give insightful discourses on Jain religion and its role in our day-to-day life. Shree Chimanbhai Mody, Dr. Hukamchand Bharil, Sadhvi Shree Shilapiji, Shree Narendrabhai (Nandubhai) who performed Siddhachakra Poojan, Pujya Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji) and Pujya Sunandaben Vohora have already visited us during 1998.
This year Paryushana and Das Laxna Parva will be celebrated from August 19 through September 5, 1998. The dignitaries visiting us during those auspicious days include Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and Pundit Dhirajbhai Mehta, respectively.
We need larger facilities to accommodate large number of members to take advantage of all these activities and dignitary visits. The Jain Center expansion plans include larger Derasar, larger meeting hall, more study rooms for Pathshala, larger kitchen and increased parking facilities. The plans would maximize use of the available space. We will also erect our beautiful wooden replica of the Palitana Temple.
The recently acquired "Post Office Building" is already used for JCYC classes and is being established as an educational / study section. Following the educational conference in Boston, our education team is working to prepare an expanded curriculum for studying our Jain religion, philosophy and understanding our culture and value in life.
We are working to accommodate the JAINA national library, which will be transferred to us from Texas. It will give an easier access to the Jain texts and literature for study and understanding our Jain religion.
Finally, on behalf of the Board of Directors, coordinators, teachers, volunteers, well wishers, and silent supporters, let me express our renewed confidence in our community and youth to utilize the expanded facilities, to enjoy and cultivate greater awareness of Jainism and to have a deeper sense of belonging to our Jain Center.
Thank you, Jai Jinendra.
Humans can do anything they decide to achieve.
- Krupa Shah (12)