Jain Digest 1995 11

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

Page 13

REGIONAL NEWS
CANADA Mabendra Mehta Regional Editor
Hall - Council Chambers on June 29,1995. The Jain Society congratulates Keshubhai for this great honor and is proud to have him at the helm of our Sangh.
Edmonton, AL
The Jain Society of Alberta was well represented at the 8th Biennial JAINA Convention in Chicago. It was a great opportunity for Canadian Jains to meet and get to know one another.
Pathshala and pooja are held once each month in a member's home. These events have proven to be very popular and include the participation of many younger Jains. The October 14, 1995 session was sponsored by Mahendra and Kanti Jain, Edmonton.
The Samvatsari was celebrated on September 9, 1995 at the home of Mahendra and Aruna Mehta.
A new pratima of Bhagwan Rushabdev was brought to Edmonton by Narendra and Devila Mehta.
He narrated the lives of Jain acharyas such as: Acharyas Haribhadrasuri, Hemchandra, Sidhsen Diwakar, Bhadrabahu, Sthulibhadra and Yashovijayji whose writings are read, studied, researched and we have revered. Punditji was loved and revered by all.
The executive committee deserves congratulations for their excellent organization. Special thanks to Manjubhabhi whose work in kitchen fed us all, Anil Vora for overseeing the entire celebration and Ashok Shah for organizing Panditji's pravachans.
The Parnas for all the Tapasvis were performed on the morning of August 31, 1995 in presence of well wishers.
Last year Arvind Shah conducted Pratikraman in English for the benefit of the younger members. This was appreciated and we hope the tradition continues.
Gyan Chand Jain, President, announced on Samvatsari Day that the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees are considering relocating Digambar Murtis on the south wall of the new Gabhara. These murtis will face north and members will be able to do parikrama and perform pooja. A plaque of Namokar Mantra will be installed on the south wall.
Daslaxana Parva was from August 30 - September 8, 1995. Daily Poojas were scheduled. Dhoop Dashmi was celebrated on September 4, 1995 and Anant Chaudash on September 8, 1995. For more information, please call Arhant Jain at 905/8277494.
The youth members of our Society are working hard to bring the 1996 JAINA Youth Convention to Toronto. We are all hopeful that our young people will be successful in their bid.
The Toronto Jain Sangh was represented in full force at the JAINA Convention. Our members took part in activities of the Convention and the Pratistha. Highlights were the election of Gyan Chandji to the post of Vice-President of JAINA and the performance of our younger members in the Youth and Junior Garba. Congratulations for bringing home trophies.
Keshav Chandaria The Paryushan Mahaparva was celebrated this year with great enthusiasm, piety and numerous tapas-charyas. There were 15 tapasvis who fasted for eight days, 1 for seven days and 3 for six days. Our hearts swelled with pride when the first three recipients of the eight day fast were young people ranging in age from 12 to 16. With this kind of response our younger members will carry Bhagwan Mahavir's message into the future.
Panditji Dhirubhai Mehta from Surat, India celebrated the Mahaparva with us. His series of pravachans (lectures) were in Gujarati and explained the complexities of Sanskrit and the complex philosophical and scriptural arguments. He included numerous anecdotes and gentle reminders to the congregation of the pitfalls of the North American life-style. He was very convincing in his conviction that a pious life, with a true understanding of Jain Darshan, is a way of attaining Moksha.
In his lectures, he dealt with the Kalpasutra with an emphasis on ten Kalpas of Sadhus and Paryushan Kartavyas (duty). He explained the fourteen dreams of Trishala Devi, celebrations on the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir, his sadhna, the upsargs (endurances) he suffered, the parisaha he exhibited and his great abhigrha in context with life of Chandanbala. Panditji also touched briefly on Bhaktamar Stotra, Logas Sutra, Pratikraman Sutra, Gandharvad and explained various Pachkhans.
JAIN DIGEST
Hamilton, Ont.
McMaster University and the IMJMC sponsored a lecture and slide presentation by the internationally recognized Jain Art Historian, Dr. Saryu V. Doshi on the subject of Manuscript Tradition Among the Jains. The Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, Dr. Peter George and the Indian Consul General, Mr. Rajiv Bhatia honored Dr. Doshi at a reception prior to her public address. For more information please call Harish Jain at 9051525-9140, ext. 23952.
Toronto, Ont.
Keshav Chandaria, a member of Board of Trustees of Jain Society of Toronto, President of Comcroft Ltd., philanthropist, poet, Rotarian, and an outstanding member of Indian Canadian community was recognized and honored during Canada's 128th Birthday Celebrations on July 1, 1995. He received Canada's Birthday Achievement Award at Toronto City Sept./Dec. 1995
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