Jain Digest 1999 04

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

Page 11

REGIONAL NEWS
Canada
Dr. Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor Toronto, ONT
Toronto Jain Society comes of age. During the Canadian long weekend of May 21-23, 1999 the Toronto Jain Society celebrated its 25th year of existence. The history of humble beginning of our Society in 1974 to its present full-fledged status as a major North American urban Jain organization will be described in next issue.
The celebrations started in earnest on Friday with Dandia Raas evening. Nearly 600 people came to dance to the energizing music of professional music group of 'SurSangeet'. Delicious snacks were provided by the food committee and the dancing went into wee hours of Saturday. The celebrations kicked off with good feelings amongst all the members.
Saturday was the busiest day of the celebrations. Guruji Manek Muniji cut the ribbon in presence of Samnijis Madhu
Midwest
Manubhai Doshi, Regional Editor
Chicago, IL
The Society has been having Snätrapujä and Digambar Pujä every Sunday.
The religious classes are held on the third Sunday of every month. The campaign for increasing the attendance in the classes has been highly successful. The current registration for children classes stands at more than 200. Adults too are participating on substantial scale and more than 70 people have started attending the adult class. Chicago can now claim to have the maximum strength of students in the North American Jain classes.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on 28th march. The declension contest was the highlight of the occasion. 28 students enthusiastically took part in the contest. The contestants were divided in three age groups. The subjects of presentation were i) Realization of Ahinsä through Jainism for the age group
Pragyaji and Akshay Pragyaji and declared the day's celebrations to commence.
The exhibition and display committee had put in hours of hard work to present Memories Past and Present, a collage of photographs, explanations, crisp poetic verses on some of the happenings and guided tour from the committee members. There was tremendous interest in viewing the presentation and to many of us, it brought many happy memories of our friends, outings such as dadawadi, religious retreats with Muniji Kirtichandraji and other sadhujis and sadhvijis and of course those regular annual Jain picnics. We also laughed at the toll 25 years had taken on all of us with balding heads and increasing midriff. We also remembered friends with happy faces that death had robbed from us.
A sumptuous lunch was provided by the food committee. The generosity of the
10 to 14, ii) Relevance of Jainism to Modern Youths for 15 to 19 and iii) JainismIntegration, Philosophy and Practice for above 19. The contestants had prepared themselves very well and the presentation was highly satisfactory. About 700 people listened their presentation with rapt attention. Prizes of 101,51 and 25 were awarded to the three winners in each of the first two groups. Moreover, complementary prize of $5 was given to each contestant. The prizes were given on behalf of Indira Mansukhlal Doshi Memorial Trust.
Arrangements for Ayambil were made. on March 27th and 28th on the occasion of Chaitri Oli.
Shrimad Rajchandra Samadhi day was celebrated on April 11 and that of Laghurajswami on April 25. Both the programs were well attended.
donors of the food was most remarkable.
The afternoon program started with discourses from Manek Muniji, Samaniji Madu Pragyaji and Akshay Pragyaji. The Young Jains presented a skit entitled KarmaIt's Your Call. This was followed by recognition and honoring of Presidents and Trustees of Jain Society for last 25 years and some 20 volunteers for their exceptional services to the Society. In later part of the afternoon, the audience was invited to voice their comments, criticisms and suggestion for improvement of the functioning of our Soci
ety.
The evening meal was another delight for the palate. We are sure to have put on few pounds during this celebrations!
The evening cultural program was the crowning glory of the celebrations. Innumerable people had put in 3 months of Continued on page 13
St. Louis, MI
The center holds its meetings on the third Sunday of every month. March meeting was held on 21st when Manubhai Doshi of Chicago, who was invited for the purpose, gave discourse on Search For Happiness. The discourse was followed by questions answers session.
Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated on April 18th. The discourses were given by Virendra Shah and Dharmendra Tapodhan of New Jersey who were invited on the occasion.
The Center has planned its Pratishtä Mahotsav on 29th and 30th May at the time of Memorial weekend. The idols of Lord Mahavir and Lord Parshwanth will be installed in the Hindu temple of St. Louis. Panch Kalyanak and other Pujan, Swamivatsalya, cultural program etc. have been planned on that occasion.
Continued on page 13
JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1999/9 www.jainelibrary.org