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spoke on the meaning and importance of Tapa in our lives.
The celebration concluded with the Swamivatsalya lunch sponsored by the Vora Family
SOUTHEAST
Surendra Shah Regional Editor
New York, NY
humming with activities as more and more Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated by the young people and adults have started to Jain Center of America (ICA) on April 24,
participate. 1994. It began with Shraddhanjali to
Over 50 menbers attended Samuha Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji. Children from
Aayambil on April 17, 1994. Twenty stu- ages 5 to 18 participated in presenting 13
dents and their professor from Georgetown skits and dances including a Nritya Natika
University also attended because they (dance-drama) depicting the life of Shri
wanted to learn about the Jain religion. Sthulibhadra. Congressman Gary
Their visit was coordinated by Sujal Shah. Ackerman, of North Queens, was the guest
After the welcome by Pravin Dand, Jaya of honor. He commented on the unity and Nagda, Ankur Gosalia, Tejas Doshi, Rajni progress of the Jain community.
Gosalia and Kanu Doshi talked about the ICA affectionately recognized Shree principles of Jainism. After a lively discusMohanlal Jhaveri, known as Gatukaka, forsion moderated by Niren Nagda the visi- his services to the Jain community and tors toured the temple and participated in presented him with a shawl as a token of Aayambil(lunch) sponsored by Bhupendra appreciation.
and Surekha Shah. We are sad to report thar Shree Jhaveri
From April 19 - 22, 1994 Dr. passed away on June 7, 1994 at 81. He was Shekharchandra Jain, a well-known Jain a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and was
scholar from Gujarat, gave talks on Jain very active at the JCA and Siddhachalam, scriptures at the center including Namokar devoting his life in service to the community.
Mantra Dhyana sessions. Many Jain Munis, Shramaniji
The Mahavir Jayanti celebration on (Samans) and scholars are scheduled to April 23, 1994 was attended by over 400 speak at the temple in Queens from now members. Dr. Shekharchandra Jain gave through September.
an enlightening talk on the life and teach-
ings of Bhagwaan Mahavir. The highlight Syracuse, NY
of the evening was a cultural program The Syracuse Jain Center has approxi
which began with the recitation of Namokar mately 13 member families. These families
Mantra, followed by skits, solo dances, and meet once a month for religious and social
Raas-Garbas presented by the children, activities on a Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the
young adults and a surprise item by the home of a host family.
mothers. The evening concluded with the These get togethers begin with
traditional Swamivatsalya dinner. Namokar Mantra. Young people ages 10
A prayer meeting was held on May 1, to 20 present stories they have written on
1994 at the center to offer tribute to Jainism. Discussions on Jainism, vegetar
Acharya Shushil Kumar Ji. Over 125 mem- ian diet and JAINA news are held. Every
bers attended the service. After reciting one is encouraged to participate.
prayers, two minutes of silence was obOccasionally a short "test" is given on the
served. principles and rituals of Jainism. The
On Sunday, May 8, 1994 the Jain winners are awarded prizes. At the end of
Center of New Jersey visited. About 100 of the evening dinner is served.
our members were present to greet the 153 April's meeting was held on the 17th visitors. After performing Chaityavandan, and was dedicated to Mahavir Jayanti. A
everyone proceeded to the Sherwood High few members presented stories on the
School where lunch was served. The group twenty-seven birth cycles of Bhagwaan
returned to the temple where everyone Mahavir and the fourteen swapnas (dreams)
participated in the Panch Kalyanaka Pooja of Trishla. May's meeting was held on the
performed by Vinod Shah and his musical 8th, a moment of silence was observed in
accompaniment. Gurudev Chitrabhanuji condolence for Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji.
gave a discourse on "Know(ing) your in
ner-self (Atma) and you will know everyWashington, D.C.
thing in English and Gujarati. Pravin Dand, the president of the Jain
On May 22, 1994 the JSMW cel
ebrated the Varshi-Tapa Parnu by Anjana Society of Metropolitan Washington
B. Vora. The celebration started with (SMW), reports that the society has been
Snatra Pooja. Gurudev Chitrabhanuji
Atlanta, GA
The Jain Society of Atlanta celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on April 24, 1994. The children presented a fine program. Over 250 people took part in the celebration and a dinner sponsored by Suresh and Varsha Shah and Narendra and Kusum Shah.
Kantaben Shah sponsored a Bhavana followed by dinner on March 6, 1994 for about 150 people.
Pathshala for young adults and children is held every Sunday. Virbala Jain and Hetal Jain teach the youth classes and Manhar Parekh teaches the adult classes. The youth group met at the home of Sarla Kothari to plan this year's activities.
Augusta, GA
The Jain community of Augusta celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on April 19, 1994 at the Hindu temple. Guests from the Atlanta Jain Society conducted the Snatra Pooja. About 200 people attended. Lunch was served afterwards. Jyoti Shah and Manish Ghelani have taken the leadership in starting the children's pathshala. The society can be reached on Prodigy (GPGVO2A) or Internet. For further information contact Navnir Shah.
Charlotte, NC
The Jain study group of Charlotte celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on the morning of April 23, 1994 at Hindu center, Vedant Hall. Jains and non-Jains took part in the celebration. Many families from the surrounding areas came to hear the guest speaker Chandrakantbhai Mehta. Mr. Mehta came from Parcipany, NJ and is a renowned Jain scholar who has studied Tatvarth in great detail. In the evening, he had a mini-teach-in of the Tatvarth Sutra at the home of Sanghpati, Surendra Patel. Surendra Jain, had a 24 hour Namokar
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