Jain Digest 1995 06 Vol 11 No 02

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

Page 12

celebrations organized by the JCNJ. A special tribute was paid to him at a Bhavna, at Siddhachalam on April 22, 1995.
Vinodbhai died on April 16, 1995 in the Westchester County Hospital. The Jain communities throughout the United States were shocked and saddened by his untimely death. He was well known for performing poojas including the Pratishtha rituals at various Jain centers all over North America. He was a founding member of the Jain Center of New Jersey, and was very active in the Jain Center of America - New York and Siddhachalam. He was the Chairman of the Pooja Committee of JAINA.
Vinodbhai was born in 1947 in Ahmedabad, India to a devoted Jain family of Shri Umedchand Master. He attended Jain Pathshala at a very early age. After coming to the United States, he became very active in religious activities and performed his first pooja in 1975. Bhakti Sangeet (devotional songs) was his special way of practicing Jainism. He traveled everywhere and any where in North America to perform pooja with his family and musical instruments.
A large gathering of people representating various Jain centers, JAINA, IMJM and other organizations assembled at Siddhachalam on April 22, 1995, to pay tribute to him. The assembly recognized Vinodbhai's selfless service to the Jain community. Many of his favorite devotional songs were sung and the assembly recited twelve Navkar Mantras in deep silence. All prayed that the departed soul have peace.
Vinodbhai is survived by: his wife Hemabehn and their two sons - Amit, 13 and Atit, 10; two brothers Kirti Shah and Virendra Shah in USA, plus three brothers in India.
The Center elected a new Executive Committee in January, 1995.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 16, 1995. A program of Snatra Pooja and cultural events highlighted the days events. Over 100 people participated in Ayambil on April 8, 9 and 15, 1995 during Chaitra's Ayambil Oli.
Every other Sunday there are pathshala classes for students ranging in age from 5 to 18. Swadhyaya on Tatvartha Sutra is held twice a month at the Temple and at Piscataway.
Jain Location International 2010_02
A pictorial presentation of Tirth Darshan which includes its history has been prepared and is available for other Jain Centers to use.
For more information please call: 201/ 226-2539.
New York, NY
The Jain Center of America (JCA), New York celebrated Bhagawan Mahavir's Janma Kalyanaka on Sunday, April 30, 1995. The celebration began with Snatra Pooja at the Temple in Elmhurst and was followed by a cultural program.
About 200 children and youg adults participated in a cultural program that was based on religious stories and included songs and dances. The program was a great success and everyone enjoyed it very much.
During the program, Munishri Roopchandji gave a discourse on Bhagwan Mahavir. About 1,500 people celebrated the event.
The Jain Community of New York was shocked at the passing away of Vinodbhai Shah. The Center expressed its deep sorrow over this loss and the community observed two minutes of silence.
Rochester, NY
Jain Society of Rochester (JSR) holds prayer meeting once a month at the India Community Center of Rochester. At these meetings, the members recite Stavans and young adults hold discussions on Principles of Jainism. There have been three guest lecturers so far this year with five more planned. Last year, there were discourses on nutrition and the vegetarian diet. The JSR's goal is to provide the next generation with a rational understanding of the principles and practice of Jainism.
Washington, DC
Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) celebrated the Mahavir Jayanti on April 15, 1995 with great enthusiasm. Over 500 area Jains attended a cultural program of Raas and Garba based on the religious songs, Deepak and Manjira dances, skits, Jain stories and recitation of Bhaktamar Stotra. A skit that was based on the theme of "Substance, Attributes and Modifications" was presented by the adult Jain class. A unique musical presentation on the fourteen dreams highlighted the day's events. An exhibition of Jain books
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was also held on the same day. The cultural program was followed by the traditional swamivatslya dinner and Bhavna program.
Washington Jain Center will hold a religious camp for children and adults with Gurudev Chitrabhanuji from July 27 - July 30, 1995. A religious youth conference will also be held during the same period.
SOUTHWEST REGION
Jadavji Kenia Regional Editor
Dallas, TX
The Jain Society of North Texas Jain Youth Group invited the young people from the Southwest region to come to Dallas to see "The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art from India" exhibit at Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. Young people from Houston, Tulsa, Lubbock and from local area attended this magnificent exhibit on March 18, 1995. It was a rare opportunity for the visitors to see Jain art in U.S.A. in one location.
The Jain Society of North Texas hosted Narendra and Sonal Sheth of San Diego, CA and took advantage of their presentation on "Jiv Daya in Daily Life" on March 19, 1995.
The Society celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on Sunday, April 16, 1995. The day began with a Snatra Puja followed by performances by young people which included a Divo dance. The Jain Youth Group presented a game for adult participants based on Pictionary using Jain themes and places. Young people ranging in age from 10 to14 presented various accounts and incidents from Bhagwan Mahavir's life. The program was concluded with aartis and Shanti Path followed by swamivatsalaya lunch.
The Jain Society hosted Shri Shekhar Chandra Jain - a Jain scholar from Ahmedabad, India from April 26-May 2, 1995. He gave discourses on Bhaktamar Stotra explaining it in great detail and led meditation (Samayik) based on Namokar Mantra recitation and true nature of aatma (self realization). Scholars who will be coming this summer include: Dr. Hukumchand Bharill, Mr. Rajendra Kamdar and Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta.
June 1995 www.jainelibrary.org