Jain Digest 1995 06 Vol 11 No 02

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

Page 13

WEST REGION Claudiakan Parell,
Regional Editor
Camp participants, Phoenix, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
Mahavir Janma Kalyanaka celebrations on April 15, 1995 began with a Snatra Pooja conducted by the Mahaila Mandal. Following a briefhistory of a wooden temple located in Las Vegas, Hasendra Shah solicited the support of the members to bring the temple to Los Angeles. Intricately and exquisitely hand carved of teakwood, the structure is a replica of the Temple of Palitana which was originally built by the British Government and displayed at the St. Louis Exposition of 1904. Subsequently the temple, which stands 35 feet high and 20 feet square at its base, was purchased and located at the Castaways Hotel in Las Vegas. Following persuasive negotiations, the Castaways Hotel donated the temple to the Jain Center. The temple has been dismantled and transported to Los Angeles. The plan is to incorporate it in the next phase of the expansion of the Jain Bhavan.
Houston, TX
The Jain Society of Houston celebrated Varsitap Parna for one of its members Bharatbhai Shah during November, 1994.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on Saturday, April 15, 1995. In addition to the festivities of the occasion, elections were held to fill two trustees and six executive committee positions.
The Society also celebrated Sheelanyas ceremony of its new temple (Derasar) on April 22, 1995. The Kurm Sheela was laid beneath the seat of Mul Nayak Bhagwan Mahavir Swami with great enthusiasm and a large number of members present.
The Pratishtha Mahotsava celebration is scheduled for November 18-26, 1995 ending with Pratishtha on Sunday, November 26, 1995. Kishor Doshi has been appointed as chairman of the Pratishtha Committee which includes Suresh Ghelani, Udai Jain, Bharat Shah and Kishor Shah. For more information please call, 713/ 561-9887
Theory, gyana (knowledge) Swadhyay for adults and Jain stories and coloring for youngsters. Outdoor activities included: hiking, volleyball and basketball. A talent show included skits, songs, dances and short dramas.
At the end of the camp, all participants took the test and celebrated their accomplishments with an award ceremony and sharing the positive points observed among the group.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on Sunday, April 16, 1995 at the Indo-American Cultural and Religion Center. The program began with the Namokar Mantra and Stavans led by our pathshala students followed by brief speeches and the Stavans. The junior pathshala group from north Phoenix performed a play on "Marichi” and colorful dances were performed by the group from Tempe. The last drama - Shalibhadra was performed by the middle and older age group youth from the north Phoenix pathshala. All participants re- ceived a plaque in appreciation of their participation. After aarti and Mangal Divo, the program ended with a delicious potluck dinner.
Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, senior curator of Indian Art and his assistants and colleagues from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), were the guests of honor at the Mahavir Jayanti program. They were presented with plaques to recognize their outstanding contributions in organizing the ground-breaking exhibition entitled The Peaceful Liberators: Jain Art From India. The exhibition highlighting 150 aesthetically and historically significant art works relating to Jainism. These works were being shown in the United States for the first time.
Phoenix, AZ
The Jain Center of Greater Phoenix conducted a two and a half day camp in November, 1994 in Prescott, Arizona. More than thirty young people and adults attended. The camp was organized by the pathshala's young adults. They scheduled and managed a majority of the events. The main activities included an overview of the principles of Jainism, time management and team building workshops, evening session on Preksha Dhyan and meditation classes on six Dravyas, basics of Karma
A catalogue of the exhibit that was compiled by Dr. Pal was presented to His Holiness Pope John Paul II. While accepting the plaque, Dr. Pal commented that in his 25 year career as curator with LACMA, it was the first time any community had recognized and appreciated their efforts in such a manner. LACMA is hoping to release a film, that was prepared for the exhibition, for television.
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