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Jain Digest
Sangh Yatra by Jain Society of North Texas by Pradeep Shah, Dallas, Texas
As an unprecedented event the Jain Sangh from the Dallas area visited the Jain Sangh of Houston during the weekend of April 24-25, 1993.
Following "Chaitya Vandana" and lunch, the members from both centers participated in an active exchange summarizing activities of both centers, common areas of interest such as Pathshala, library and youth activities, youth-adult discussions on the role of rituals and use of silk in puja and the role of the Jain Society among other Indian groups.
and conducted a session on experiences and benefits that they have achieved from attending the classes. A highlight of the event was the presentation of the nrutya natika on "Elachi Kumar". The performance given by the adult teachers of the Preksha Dhyan Classes was an outstanding success and received standingovation. The Swamivatsalya dinner was sponsored by Jain Shastra Sabha Group which has been conducting swadhayaya for the past 9 years.
From India." The exhibition is scheduled to open in Los Angeles on October 30, 1994 and will then travel to Fort Worth, New Orleans, and London. To draw upon the support and guidance from the local Jain community, Dr Michael Shapiro, Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, invited several Jain community leaders to a special slide presentation and the reception held at the museum on May 10, 1993. Dr Pratapditya Pal, Dr Janice Leoshko and Dr Stephen Markel, curators of the Indian Art Department, Professor Padmanabh Jaini from University of California, Professor John Cort from Denison University, Dr Siddharth Bhansali from New Orleans, and Dr John Guy from London's Victoria and Albert Museum, were also present at the meeting. Dr Pal emphasized that the support from the public in the form of financial sponsorship as well as active participation in organizing educational and cultural activities is crucial to ensure the success of the project. The project will cost approximately $600,000 which will have to be funded through government grants as well as individual and corporate sponsorships.
Phoenix Pathsala Group by Deepesh M. Shah
Participants of the "Elachi Kumar" Nritya Natika
The greater Phoenix Pathsala group celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on March 29. This year's theme was the Karma Theory. About 30-40 children participated. The Karma Theory was broken up into two parts: the 9 tatvas and the 6 leshyas.
Children between the ages of eight and 15 gave two-minute speeches on the nine tatvas. What are the nine tatvas? How does the karmas get attached to the soul? How can one get rid of the karmas? How can one achieve moksha? With samyag gnan, samyag darshan and samyag charitra, the soulcan achieve moksha, the ultimate and everlasting happiness. The pathsala is meeting regularly every week.
Western
- - Region Chandrakant Parekh, Regional Editor
Jain Center of Northern California •Mahavir Jayanti
Celebrations •Elachi Kumar Nrutya
Natika • Visit by Samans.
Stithprajna and Shrutprajna
The center has invited Samans Sthitprajna and Shrutprajna to spend an extended eight month period in the Bay area. The Samans will deliver an in-depth knowledge on the three dimensional approach to Jainism - Anuvrat Movement, Preksha Meditation, and Science of Living. The lectures will teach how to live and improve physical, mental, and spiritual health, how to change our behavior, and how to develop an integrated personality. A family camp with the Samans has been scheduled from June 25, 1993 to June 27, 1993. Kiranbhai Parekh, a prominent Jain scholar, is due to visit the center from July 15, 1993 to August 15, 1993. Further information on these visits and events can be obtained from Harilal Shah (510) 487-9380.
International Exhibition of Jain Art In Los Angeles
Mahavir Jayanti celebrations on Sunday, April 10, 1993, were attended by over 400 members. The event started with a Snatra Puja followed by a lecture and bhajan program given by Prabhudas Modi, a local resident who has published over 400 bhajans. The students of the Preksha Dhyan classes recited the prayers, sang several stavans,
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The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is formulating plans to organize a major exhibition entitled "The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art
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