Jain Digest 1990 11

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Mahesh and Indu Varia.
JAIN All of the children did some tapascharya on the first and last day of paryusana. The following adults did the Athai or more: Lalit Banker - Navai; Rekha Banker - Athai; Chetna Fofaria - Athai.
Jain Society of South Louisiana Mr. Hemant Shah completed Maaskhaman Tap (one month of fasting) and fast-breaking ceremony was celebrated on September 1, 1990. Over 400 people attended the celebration. It was blessed by the attendance and discourses of Acharya Shri Chandanaji, Sadhvi, Shri Shubhamji and Miss Mangalam Kothari. The program also included Swamiji Vatsalya and Garba party. Jain society of New Orleans is an active society with 30 Jain families scattered all around New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. Recently Shri Charukriti Swamyji and others visited New Orleans. For more information on Jain Society, please contact Santosh Shah - (504) 340-4283.
The Jain Center of Greater Boston celebrated Paryushan Parva on September 8, 1990. The chief guests were Acharya Chandanaji, Sadhvi Shubhamji & Miss Mangalam Kothari of Veerayatan, India.
Acharya Chandanaji stressed the importance of attending spiritual aspect of one's life even if one is "too busy" with day to day routines. This was accompanied with beautiful Stavan's by Miss Mangalam Kothari.
In addition, past President Mr. Chander Khasgiwala described many accomplishments made during past 2 years by the Jain Center. New executive committee was announced during the program as follows:
President: Chandrakant R. Vora; Vice President: Aroon Shah; Secretary:Shrenik Shah; Treasurer:Neela Shah; Director-Building Operations: Ratan Singhvi; Director-Education:Kishore Shah; Committee Members:Mukund Mehta, Chandresh Doshi, Surendra Shah, Amit Jain, andHemant Shah.
Samanis Inspired Paryushan Celebration
amani's Madhuprajnaji and Bharitprajnaji spoke on
and about practicing medi
tation in Bhartiya Temple at Columbus, Ohio, on September 15 and 16 to a large audience consisting of Jains and nonJains. Their lectures created so much impact that it was suggested by Manubhai Bhatt (member of Board of Trustees of the temple) to initiate efforts towards celebrating Paryushan Parva every year in the temple by inviting Samanis or other religious gurus again.
Correction of Mailing Address Jain Association International Brandweg 5
2091 Gartedt (Near Hamburg) Germany Tel: 04173-8711
Contact: Hermann Kuhn-President Ajit Kumar Benadi-Vice President
DIGEST
I think Jains have been networking for centuries. They could write the book about it.
Pride in their religion and their culture was dramatized again and again. It seemed to me that just about every Jain was knowledgeable about his religion and practiced it. They weren't participating just nominally. For them, it was an important, living faith that illuminated their everyday life. Again, it's easy to overestimate and commit a sin of hyperbole. But I saw real enthusiasm, genuine appreciation, such that I had to conclude that this faith is far more than mere pretense. Sometimes, the beliefs and the traditions of a small minority, like the Jains, get crushed and wiped out in every day touch with a much larger, and differently oriented group of people. In the case of the Jains, their fervor and steadfastness seem to have been affirmed and strengthened by the fact that they are a tiny island in a vast sea.
I could go on and speak glowingly and honestly about how their principles of "ahimsa" have had a positive, rippling effect in many other parts of the world, including the US, and among peoples who have never heard of Jainism. I could also talk about the splendors of their many temples, some centuries old, and some presently being constructed. I could go into greater detail about how they have used their talents to earn leadership roles in commerce, industry, public life, education, and science and the arts, so that they have achieved important positions in just about every field of activity.
There are exceptions to every rule, and human nature being what it is, undoubtedly there are Jains who fall short, perhaps far short, of the high ideals of their group. But I did not meet any. Those that I met were a delight.
The whole experience was intense for me, because for nearly 50 days, I was separated from a way of life and way of looking at things that I found comfortable and reassuring. Suddenly, I was plunged into a new culture and thrust among strangers. But their graciousness and unstinting generosity no let me use a better word, their friendshipmade my visit among them in India wonderful. It gives me great pleasure to talk about it to my friends.
It was such a good experience that I look forward to meeting more Jains. Thope that some of the fine qualities that I've discovered among Jains have rubbed off on me and made me a better person.
A cynical person might say, "Of course, you're going to write only good things about people who have invited you into their home, fed you, and provided for your every comfort." Perhaps so. But as I've reviewed my memories, I must tell you candidly that I can't think of anything truly negative or damning to put down. I mean it.
My hope is that every young American Jain - every Jain boy and girl born in the United State will have the opportunity as a teenager to visit India and to see first-hand what a fine people he/she descends from, and what works of art, architecture, literature, commerce, and science they have contributed to this world of ours.
Editor's Note: Mr. John Laplante of Worcester, Massachussettes visited India in December 1989 to January 1990 along with JAINA executive members. He is a free-lance writer and an advisor to Jain Digest.
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