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Jain Center of Cincinnati and Dayton
by Dr. Surendra Singhvi, Cincinnati,
Ohio
The Beginning
A handful of Jain families celebrated Mahavir Jayanti and Samvatsari Pratikraman programs in Dayton, Ohio during 1970-77. This is the time period when Gurudev Chitrabhanu (1970) and Acharya Sushil Muni (1975) came to the U.S. to promote Jainism. In order to invite spiritual leaders and celebrate Jain festivals, the Jain community of Cincinnati and Dayton founded a Jain Center in 1978 with initial membership consisting of 20 families. The first president of the center was Dr. Surendra Singhvi, who drafted the center's constitution. The first Vice President was Mrs. Vina Shah, who organized the swapna-diwas/ghee boli in 1979. The first treasurer was Mr. Pravin C. Shah who got the tax exempt status from the IRS. The first secretary was Vijay Bimawala who published bi-monthly newsletters and prepared the first 12-page membership directory in 1981. It should be noted that our center, which serves the tri-state (Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana) area is one of the first few Jain Centers established in North America.
Center's Objectives
The center's objectives are to: (a) promote Jain religion's doctrines and beliefs; (b) provide academic, cultural and intellectual interchanges with the Jain community; and (c) celebrate auspicious Jain events and festivals.
Major Activities
To achieve these objectives, the center generally organizes the following activities during a typical year: (1) Organize monthly programs which include prayers, discussions, youth activities and lectures; (2) Organize samayik program on the first
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Sunday of each month; (3) Celebrate Mahavir Jayanti in Spring; (4) Conduct or participate in youth camps in Summer; (5) Organize an annual picnic in Summer; (6) Celebrate Paryushan/Daslaxna festival in August/September; (7) Organize Ahimsa Day on first Sunday in October and participate in community projects; (8) Celebrate Mahavir Nirvana (Diwali) Day in October/November; (9) Celebrate Parshvanath Jayanti in December/January; (10) Encourage youth members to write essays on Jainism; (11) Invite distinguished speakers; (12) Provide Jain literature to interested persons.
A lot of members practice penances (tapascharya) during Paryushan. Mr. and Mrs. Ramanbhai Shah observed "Varshitap" during 1990-1991. Numerous adult and youth members have fasted for continuous eight days since the early 1980s.
Guest Speakers
For the last 6 years, the center has invited speakers during Paryushan/Daslaxana. These speakers include Shri Bhattarakji (Moodbidri), Amarendra Muni, Atul Shah (now a Jain monk), Acharya Chandanaji, Sadhvi Vibhaji, Kumari Meenaxi (now a Jain Sadhvi), Pundit Naresh Doshi and Professor Pratap Tolia.
Other speakers who visited our center since 1979 include Acharya Sushil Muni, Gurudev Chitrabhanu, Shri Balbhadra, Dr. Hukamchand Bharill, Sadhvi Madhusmita, Sadhvi Jayasmita, Prof. Malook Shah, Mr. R.K. Jain, Shri Dhirubhai, Samani Madhu Pragna and others.
Center's Organization
At the Mahavir Jayanti program each year, the General Body consisting of all adult members (18 years and over) elects a 9-member Executive Committee which consists of the following positions for the 1992-93 year: President - Mr. Chandu
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Shah; Vice President - Dr. Alka Shah; Secretary Mr. Navin Rambhia; Treasurer - Mrs. Vina Jhaveri; V.P. Youth - Mrs. Surbhi Shah; V.P. Education - Mrs. Jiten Sheth; V.P. Food Planning - Mrs. Manjula Shah; V.P. Membership - Mrs. Ila Punatar; V.P. Temple - Mr. Pravin C. Shah.
The Executive Committee appoints committees for special projects such as temple construction, fund raising and constitution revision. Mr. Chandu Shah has been preceded by nine presidents: Dr. Surendra Singhvi, Mr. Ravi Bafana, Mr. Prem Jain, Mr. Dinesh Punatar, Mr. Niranjan Shah, Dr. Sulekh Jain, Mr. Damaroo Shah, Mr. Rajnikant Shah and Dr. Vinod Jain. During 1992, the center was incorporated in Ohio.
Youth Participation
Every month, the center organizes at least one program for youth members with adults or separately. A number of youth members have been participating in the essay contest organized annually by Boston Jain Center. Mr. Sandeep Punatar's essay, "Message of Bhagwan Mahavir for the 21st Century", won the first place in 1991. Reshma Shah (18 years) observed eight continuous fasts in 1991. Mitesh Shah( 17 years) and Nirali Shah (14 years) observed eight continuous fasts in 1992. A number of youths have attended summer camps organized by the Federation of JAINA, Siddhachalam and local Jain Center. A lot of youths participate in English Pratikraman on the Samvatsari Day. Haren Punatar and Mihir Parekh visited JAINA Library in Texas during the summer of 1992 to learn about Jainism.
Center's Membership
The center has more than 110 family members or about 300 voting members. About 80 families out of 110 are life members. Membership is open to all persons interested in
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