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JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA - PARYUSHAN 1984
JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA An Historical Perspective by Dr. Narendra K. Sethi, Ph.D.
Founder - President BACKGROUND
The flourishing Jain Center of America has had a modest beginning in early 1965. Dr. D. C. Jain, Dr. M. K. Pandya, Dr. J. Sheth, Dr. S. Singhvi, Mrs. Kiran Sethi and myself were the pioneering founders of this association. In the early days, there were just a handful of Jain families residing in the area. The meetings were held in Earl Hall of Columbia University and the Meeting Hall of the Consulate General of India. A brief library of books was assembled and organized by Dr. L. C. Jain. One of the earliest non-Jains to join the Center was the late Rev. Wayne H. Steele, Retired Professor of Religion. He was later converted to a Jain at a small ceremony.
FOUNDER MEMBERS
In addition to the people mentioned above, the other regulars were Mr. D. C. Jain, K. C. Surana, A. K. Nahar, Ambassador N. P. Jain, K. R. Jain, P. Koradiya, J. Shah, and Vakani. Many new members and their families became active in the early 1970s. Meetings were held at the Consulate Hall and the audience was comprised of interested Jains from the tri-state area. Visiting Jains from India, Europe and the African Continent participated in these activities.
PURPOSE AND AIMS
The Center was originally named as JAIN CENTER OF NEW YORK and was subsequently changed to JAIN CENTER OF AMERICA, in light of its increased scope and operations. The early objectives were to disseminate the philosophy of Jainism to the people in the United States and to provide for a socioreligious forum for the local resident Jains. A corresponding unit was created in India to collaborate with the New York activities and its responsibility was assigned to the late Mr. M. C. Sethi of Indore. Many fund-raising meetings were held and early donors included Messrs. K. C. Surans, P. Luniya, and the Sethi family. Similarly, funds were collected in different cities of India. PROBLEMS AND SUCCESSES
The early difficulties were organizational. The members were few and meetings were sparsely attended. Inspite of these problems, meetings were held to celebrate Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Parva, Diwali, and an annual social event of community picnic/get-together. A newsletter was prepared and the 2500th Anniversary of Mahavir Nirwana was very gracefully celebrated.
Efforts were made to organize Jains in other areas of the U.S. Affiliate organizations were created in Detroit, Boston, and other large towns. I visited many principal Jain centers with the assistance of Dr. Bhaiji, Dr. Pandya, Dr. Duggar, and Mr. J. Shah. Dr. Lokhande was invited to visit the U.S. centers and address them about the philosophy of Jains.
Ambassador Mr. Kaul presided at one of the largest meetings organized in the history of overseas Jains in New York. Ambassador Mr. N. P. Jain also addressed dozens of our get-togethers. A brochure was prepared and over 3000 copies were distributed.
I wrote many articles in local and Indian Jain press to publicize our major achievements during this period. The New York Times carried our story in one of its editions. Gurudeva Chitrabhanu and H. H. Munishri Sushilkumarji were the pioneering Jain monks to bless the Center's multiple activities.
In view of my humble efforts, many Jain communities in India and the United States honored me and gave me civic welcome. I attribute my good fortune to the service of Jains in the U.S.
EPILOGUE Indeed, the chronicle of the Jain Center in New York is one of struggle but also one of triumph. The early years were marked by a pioneering zeal and devotion; the later years, by a sense of accomplishment and tradition. Many old scholars and Jain thinkers have since left this area, but the fragrance of their memory persists. It is my hope that the future activities of our organization will mark a new chapter in the historical annals of Jains in far-off lands.
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