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REGIONAL NEWS (continued)
Mrs. Mehta with us for five days in October. Panditji gave discourses on Pujya Anandghanaji's poems written for twenty four Teerthankar. He also held several open
which the Jain Youth Group and other children participated as usual. Through annual Ghee Boli during the ceremony approx. $16K was raised. Samvatsari Pratikraman were conducted in English as well (for the benefit of our youth) on August 17th. During Das Laxana there were pujas in the mornings and Swadhyay sessions in the evening. A special Das Laxana Puja was held on Monday, the Anant Chaturdasi day, in the morning.
Swamivatsalya lunch was held on Sun- day, September 21, 1997. This year it was very special as about 70 members from Houston joined us as a part of their "Chaitya Paripati" visit to Dallas. We are actively trying to acquire land for future expansion of the Jain Center.
Among the Tapasvis this year Damjibhai Shah did 9 Upvas. Others who did Atthai included Ashok Daftary, Gautam and Shweta Daftary, Kirit and Pramila Daftary (of Waco, Texas), Bina Shah, Ila N. Shah, Kalpana Shah, Nalini Shah, Sonali Shah, Usha Shah and Minita Vora. Usha Daftary did Gupvas. Many others did fewer Upvas and Ektanas/Aayambils, etc. Our congratulations to all the Tapasvis and Michchhami Dukkadam to all local members as well as Jain Digest readers throughout the world.
Diwali meeting was held on November 2, 1997. Mahavir Jin Puja was followed by Jain songs from young children and a "Teerthankar Tour" - a slide presentation of various Tirth's in India, by the Jain Youth Group. Pradeep Shah, president of JSNT, presented details on possible land acquisition which was followed by Aarti and delicious lunch. Dallas area contact is president of JSNT Pradeep Shah at (972) 867-6255.
We were fortunate to have Bhattarak CharuKirthiji for fifteen days. He gave daily discourses and performed Das Laxana Puja. A Pratikraman was also conducted in En- glish for young Jains. We had Chaitya Paripati trip to Dallas. Seventy-one people participated in the Yatra. Muni Rupchandji Maharaj visited during the September 28 weekend for five days and gave daily dis- courses. During his presence the Sangh had yearly Swamivatsalya. Used clothes drive was conducted by our youth group on October 17th.
Shaman Shrut Pragnaji and Ashwini Pragnaji conducted Preksha Dhyan classes during October 14 through 28. Forty-five people attended the classes. On Mahavir Nirvan day (Oct. 30) we had Jaap. On the New Year day we had Panchkalyanak Puja. Members of Interfaith ministry visited our center on November 8th. Contact: Prabodh Mehta 281/820-9325.
are looking forward to Mumukshu Shree Subhashbhai Sheth to visit us in the month of November. This is his second Adhyatmik visit with us.
The significant Tapasya during this Paryushan Parva was as follows:
Adults: Dr. Kiritbhai Gosalia 10 Upvas, Ajitbhai Shah 8 Upvas, Prem Gandhi 8 Upvas with Khshir Samudra, Kusum Savla one month Ektana, Varsha Shah 8 Ambel/ ektana.
Young Adults: Maulik Bavishi (16 Yrs) 8 Upvas, Jainy Savla one month ekrana, Asmi Kapadia 8 Ektana, Mansi Shah & Jinesh Savla 8 betanas. Several other people did various kinds of Tapasya during the Paryushan Parva.
Phoenix area contact is Harshad Desai at 602/582-8437.
Phoenix, Arizona
This year the Phoenix Jain community celebrated the Paryushan Parva and Das Laxana Parva without any scholars or visitors from outside Phoenix area. We met everyday at Swadharmi Dr. Kiritbhai's place for Pratikraman and Swadhyay. The spirit of Tapasya as well as the religious activities was unusually high as many Mumukshus including young adults and children participated this year. Our annual Paryushan Mahavir Jayanti and the fund-raising pro- gram was successfully carried out by the young adults. They took keen interest in explaining the Trishaladevi's fourteen Swapnas. On Samvatsari day we had two Pratikramans, one for the adults and the other for young adults in English. Young adults performed their Pratikraman with - out any supervision or guidance from the adults this year. This was a great milestone for our Jain community. This Parva was concluded by a Swamivatsalya program honoring the Tapasvis. We were fortunate to have Pandit Shree Dhirajlal Mehta and
Tulsa, Oklahoma
"Michchhami Dukkadam and Happy New Year". This was one of the best Paryushan Parva we, Tulsa Jain community, had since we formed Sangh in 1990. Shamanji Shurt Pragnaji and Aswini Pragnaji blessed us with discourses, their knowledge, yoga and other activities. Our participation in all activities was excellent. Wecelebrated Mahavir Jayanti and Gheeboli for fourteen dreams of Mother Trishala. Families from Oklahoma City joined us and we raised a fair amount of money to build a new Derasar. It was followed by delicious Jain dinner. We had lots of Tapasya from 1 Upvas to 6 Upvas and eight days of Ektana. Some did it for the first time. Some children surprised us. Samvatsari Pratikraman was performed by Shamanji. We had 100% attendance and every body did with their heart. Shamanji stayed for 10
Houston, Texas
Jain Society of Houston celebrated Paryushan and Das Laxana Parva with great devotion and Tapascharyas. A special mention of Tapa was a Chauvihar (Nirjala - without water) Atthai by Mr. Kishor Shah.
Continued on page 19
10/JAIN DIGEST WINTER 1997
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