Jain Digest 1999 07

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

Page 16

REGIONAL NEWS (continued)
Southwest
Jadavji Kenia, Regional Editor
North Texas (Dallas area)
Jain Society of North Texas had a fair representation at the 10th Biennial JAINA Convention. Among the dignitaries we started with Shri Niraj Jain in June. He gave discourses on the importance of Bhakti (worship- how it keeps you on the right path to salvation), Karma Bandh and Science of Living. Sunandaben Vohra came in July and discussed Kalpa Sutra and its contents in a story form (without reading the Sutra itself). This year he covered several stanzas of Samay Sar explaining what the soul (Atma) is and what it is not. He also emphasized the importance of Atma-Dhyan (meditation of the self) as he pointed out that such meditation is what every soul is doing when one overcomes Ghatia karmas and obtains Keval Gyan.
During August we had several sessions of Preksha Meditation and its explanation in scientific terms with Arunbhai and Mayuriben Zaveri. They covered such topics as Human Existence from physical to soul, Concentration of Mind, Stress Management, Goal Setting and achieving the desired results, Retarding Aging Process, Achieving and Maintaining Physical and Mental Health and Jain Philosophy with its scientific explanation. Pandit Dhirajbhai Mehta continued his discourses on the Tattvarth Sutra where he had left off last year. Topics included detailed explanations of the types of Jiv and Ajiv. These discourses with his simplifying teaching style are very helpful in understanding rather difficult subjects. JSNT contact is President Sudhir Mehta at 972/612-1144 or sudhir_mehta@yahoo.com.
Houston, TX
Jain Society of Houston now has over 350 family members. During the last elections held in April/May this year 12 executive committee members were elected. Current office bearers are: President - Vijay Sanghani, Vice President - Meena Kapasi, SecretaryKirtibhai Sanghani and Treasurer - Kanti Shah. In addition, six trustees also look after the affairs of the Jain Society. Current Chief Trustee is Udai Jain. Udai Jain and Parimal Desai are JAINA Directors representing JSH.
Every year we invite 5 to 6 Jain scholars for enhancing Jainism knowledge and spiritual uplifting. We had Niraj Jain in June followed by Dr. Bharill in July. Babubhai Kadiwala arrived in July who conducted Chintamani Parshvanath Puja and Padmavatimata Puja. Manak Muniji provided religious discourses during early August followed by Pandit Dhirajbhai Mehta who continued with chapters 3-4-5 of the Tattvarthadhigama Sutra. Sagarmal Jain will guide us during Paryushan/Das Lakshana. Swami Vatsalya is scheduled for October 3, 1999. Tentatively Tarlaben Doshi will also visit us during October.
14/JAIN DIGEST⚫ FALL 1999
Jain Education Intemational
For our youth, Pathshala classes are conducted every Sunday and we have approximately 100 students divided into 5 groups starting with age 4 through ages 14 and up.
Jain Center remains open everyday from 11 to 1:30 and in the evening from 4 to 7 p.m. Our library is open every Sunday. We have over 1000 videos/cassettes and a few thousand books. Last Sunday of every month we hold bhavna followed by a sangh jaman. We publish a monthly publication called "Jai Jinendra.".
JSH contact is president Vijay Sanghani at 281/499-2594 or Parimal Desai at 281/859-3661.
Tulsa, OK
Members of the Tulsa Jain Sangh had the pleasure of listening to the religious discourses of Sunandaben Vohra in July. She spent about a week with us and talked about several aspects of the Jain religion and its philosophy.
In August, we had the privilege of having the company of Arunbhai and Mayuriben Zaveri for about three days during which they introduced us to the principles and art of "Preksha Dhyan" and how important meditation is in our life, particularly in conjunction with the practice of the Jain religion.
Tulsa Jain Sangh contacts are the president Kanti Shah at 918/ 369-3163 or KANARU@aol.com, or the secretary Biren Ajmera at bajmera@hotmail.com.
Phoenix, AZ
Jain Center of Greater Phoenix has created a Web page. Our Web site is listed under www.azindia.com. Under the listing of associations please check out "Jain Center". Jain center's news, event calendar, etc. will be posted on this website.
Jain scholars Subhashbhai Sheth, Dr. Hukumchand Bharill and Shantibhai Kothari visited Phoenix during the past months. Many people attended the lectures given by these scholars. Rajendrabhai Kamdar, a Jain scholar well known to Phoenix Jain community, will be visiting Phoenix, AZ during Paryushan to be celebrated from Sept. 8 to 15, 1999.
About 10 families from Phoenix area attended the JAINA convention held from July 2nd - 5th in Philadelphia. About 60 Jain families attended the Jain Picnic held on May 2, 1999 at McCormick Railroad Park. Members enjoyed themselves with variety of activities. Kids and adults enjoyed bingo. Food was excellent. The center would like to acknowledge hard work and planning put together by the event coordinator, Sandhya Shah. After the brief summer break, the Pathshala activities will be reinitiated in September. JCGPh email address is Jain_phoenix@hotmail.com. You may also contact Bhakti Gosalia at 623/561-2148.