Jain Digest 1995 04

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

Page 9

REGIONAL NEWS
CANADA Mahendra Mchua Regional Editor
Edmonton, AL
The Jain Society has announced its 1995 program. The following events are planned: March 20 - Interfaith Prayer at the
City Hall April 16. Mahavir Jayanti September 10 - Samvatsari at home
of Mahendra and Aruna Mehta October 29 - Nirvana Day * December 17 - Parasnath Jayanti * *at the Hindu Temple in Edmonton.
Everyone is cordially invited to these celebrations.
has evolved into full acceptance from all members of our Society. Everyone is wel- come at these activities.
Our members East of Toronto have been organizing Pathshala, Samayak, Discussions on Jain Philosophy, Senior and Youth Activities regularly. For more information please ccontact Arvind Shah at 416/282-3113.
The Annual General Body Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 26, 1995 at the Jain Centre in Etobicoke.
The Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti cel ebrations will take place at Jain Center, Etobicoke on Sunday, April 16,1995. If you wish to participate in the celebration, please contact: Arhant Jain at 905/827- 7494 or Kumud Bhimani at 416-2933564.
The 1995 Paryushan Parva in August promises to be another outstanding and memorable celebration. The mahaparva will be graced by the presence of Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta who will give series of lectures on various aspects of Jain philospohy. His lucid style in Gujarati promises to attract a large attendance during this celebrations. Look for more information in the next issue of the Jain Digest.
On the actual anniversary of Mahavir Nirvan November 2, 1994 there was aarati of 108 lamps with an overnight chanting of Mahavir- swamipargatay Namah and Gautam-swamisarvajnay Namah.
Jnan Panchami was celebrated on November 6, 1994 when the agamas of the library were displayed and identified.
The birthday of Shri Hemchandracharya and Shrimad Rajchandraji which falls on Kartiki Purnima was celebrated on November 20, 1994. Many people participated in the Atmasiddhishastra and other compositions of Rajchandraji. The picture of Shantrunjaya Tirtha was also displayed that day. People felt gratified to have the Darshan of the holy Tirtha.
The Society has decided to have Pratishtha Mahotsava from June 28 to July 1, 1995 which will preceed the 8th JAINA Convention. Various committees formed for that purpose have begun to meet and plan for this event.
Aspecial program of Atmasiddhishastra was organized at the Center on December 17, 1994 in the memory of Sanjay Jain.
On February 4, 1995, Peace Group, Chicago organized workshops for different religions in Du Page College. The workshop on Jainism was conducted by Uttam Jain and Manubhai Doshi.
As usual, Snatra pooja and Digambar Pooja are held every Sunday. Sthanakwasi Swadyay takes place once in every month. Gujarati classes are held on the second Sunday and religious classes are held on the third Sunday of every month.
MIDWEST REGION Manubhai Dosbi Regional Editor
Toronto, ON
For the Jain Society of Toronto, 1994 ended with a happy note when Jainism was recognized by being granted membership in the Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care.
The 1994 Shri Roop Lal Jain Lecture was delivered by Professor John E. Cort of Southern Asian Institute at Columbia University, New York on "Defining Jainism: Reform in the Jain Tradition." He gave an erudite presentation of historical development and changes that occured within the Jain community, especially among the Swetambar of western India from beginning up to 1947. This was the fifth in a series of annual lectures endowed at University of Toronto in the memory of Shri Roop Lal Jain.
Our Jain Centre in Etobicoke has grown into a busy meeting point of all Jains of the metro Toronto and surrounding towns. We regularly hold Mahavir Pooja on first Sunday, Shrimad Rajchandra Bhakti on second Sunday, Snatra Pooja on third Sunday and Samayak and Pathshala on fourth Sunday of every month. This ar- rangement, which was first started in 1990,
Chicago, IL
On the occasion of Mahavir Nirvan, students and young children were encouraged to give talks at the Jain Center on October 30, 1994. Thirty children participated in that program. All of them were given token prizes. After the children's presentation Jyotindra Doshi, Manubhai Doshi and Tarla Doshi gave talks explaining the significance of Diwali and Mahavir Nirvan.
Detroit, MI
The temple is open every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There is Swadhyay every Sunday. Religious classes are held every month.
The Center celebrated Diwali with enthusiasm and held Snatra Pooja on Meru Tirath at the end of January.
March 1995 Jain Education Intemational
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