Jain Center Los Angeles CA 2008 09 Pratishta Souvenior

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

Page 4

President's Message
JAI JINENDRA!
It is with genuine excitement I welcome you all to this history making day for the Pratishtha Ceremony (Jirnodhhar) of newly reconstructed Religious & Spiritual Complex of Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC). JCSC was started in 1979 as a very unique collaboration between different sects of Jain Religion. Members were committed to the ideal to love truth and seek it above material things." The Founding Principles emphasized the desire for cohesiveness and unity amongst all! JCSC has made significant strides
in last 29 years including a creation of stand alone Jain Bhavan in 1988. Today the role of JCSC for our members is significantly different than when it began in 1979. Our mission has extended far beyond that of just religious rituals, practices & education of children to become much more of a catalyst in creating a strong communities not only for our members but also for others in Southern California and beyond!
JCSC is also the founding member of Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) that was started here in Los Angeles in 1981. We are very fortunate that JAINA has chosen Los Angeles to be the site of next JAINA Convention in July, 2009.
The Sangh continued to grow & has prospered to develop three phases expansion of Jain Bhavan - a very novel concept! We opened the Cultural Complex in 2005 & now we are ready to inaugurate the Religious & Spiritual Complex consisting of Derasar & Aradhana Hall! The third phase will encompass a Research & Study Complex. We faced turbulent time in 2008 about Mulnayak & Anjanshalaka. Members showed an unprecedented awakening by requesting a general body meeting on the issue. After making Sangh aware as much as we could we have been able to resolve the matter amicably.
Jain Center of Southern California's Progress and Future:
Pathshala - Our Jewel!
The growth of Pathshala is unparallel; JCSC is very proud to be able to graduate children with sound Jain principles committed to intellectual pursuits with emphasis on ethical & spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development.
Cultural Complex - Our Crown!
Auditorium with a capacity of almost 900 people opened up new horizons for the community. Use of the facility has gone beyond the religious rituals to many celebratory functions like Drama (Apurva Avasar), weddings, birthdays, anniversaries etc., to visit of dignitaries including Swami Ramdevji, Sam Pitroda, Nithyanandji, Hira Ratan Manek, Kalyanji (
Music Director), and Many Jain Scholars!
Many religious & fund raising activities have taken place for JCSC, Anekant Community Center & also for other organizations. My favorite one still remains the Kashmir Earthquake fund raiser of March 2006! For the first time in Southern California, Pakistani & Indian community came together for a fundraiser to help survivors of Kashmir Earthquake in India & Pakistan where in performers entertained the audience pro bono! JCSC has also done fundraiser for Earthquake in Bhuj, India & to help survivors of Katrina!