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REGIONAL NEWS (continued)
tively celebrated the Parva by participating in Darshan, Puja, Angi, Pratikraman, Vyakhyan, Pachchakhan, Ekasana, and Upvas. 34 youngsters (18 and less) did various combinations of Upvas and Ekasana. Six adults did 6 to 11 upvas. Vajubhai Ajmera of Rajkot visited us from October 4th through 7th. He excellently sailed us through the art of recognizing, understand ing and knowing the pure form of Atma based on Pujya Kanji swami's discourses. Vidushi Tarlaben Doshi visited us during Diwali time. Her lectures were held on November 4th thru Nov 11th. We cel
ebrated Diwali on Sunday Nov 7th. The program included Snatra Puja, Tarlaben's lecture, Mahavirswami jaap, Ghantakaran Mahavir Jaap. On November 20 and 21st Tirthankar of Mahavidehkshetra shri Simandharswami maha puja and Shrimad Rajchandra Janma Jayanti celebration under expert guidance of shri Babubhai Kadiwala. November 25th: Derasar Pratishtha fourth anniversary celebration under direction of Babubhai Kadiwala. Our Jain fellowship kids will be attending a youth convention which is going to be held in Dallas during the Thanksgiving holidays. Jain Society of Houston contact is Parimal Desai at 281-859-3661
Perry.Desai@Jacobs.com
SOUTHEAST
Surendra Shah, Regional Editor Atlanta, GA
The last three months have been filled with various activities for the Jain Society of Atlanta. The biennial convention in Philadelphia provided the society the opportunity for the visit from several scholars and sadhvijis. The scholars included Arun and Mayuri Zaveri, Dr. Kalyanji Gangwal. Sunandaben Vora, Taralaben Doshiand Kiranbhai Parekh. In their unique style, they explained the principlesof Jainism that would help practice in our everyday life. This set thestage for the Paryusarna
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Parva.Shatavadhani (who can listen and Charlotte, N. C. recall one hundred items) Sadhviji Shri Shubhamji graced the Paryushana parva. Sadhviji explained the three jewels of Jainism, namely, Samyak Darsan, Gyan, and Charitraya. A Panchkalyanak Puja was also performed during the celebration. Gheeboli generated enthusiasm among youth and adults. This resulted in donations in excess of $100,000, which brings the goal of Jain center building closer to reality. Vinod and Shushma Jain provided the dinner for Mahavir Jayanti celebration.
This year saw the largest number of tapasvis. Smitaben Palavia extended her atthai from Paryushan to Daslakshna for a total of 18 days of fast. A number of athai tapasvi's included Pankaj Palavia, Nilesh and Nanda Chheda, Shirish Gandhi, Purnima Parekh, Kumudben Rambhiya, Amita Shah, Bharati Shah, Bhaskar Shah, Jatin Shah, Jiten Shah, Neela Shah, Niru Shah, Payal Shah and Pulin Sheth. Madhuben Sheth, president of the society has used her enthusiasm and energy and made this year filled with variety of activities with efforts of officeholders and volunteers.
Raleigh, NC
Jain Study center members meet regularly for swadhyaya. Bharatiben Mithani observed Khir Samudra and Poonam Mitha fasted for eight days during paryushana.
Other tapasvis had Ekasanas, Ayambils, and multiple fasts. Jain Study Center of North Carolina held elections for the year 2000 on November 7, 1999. The following officers were elected: President: Madhuker A. Mehta VP and Treasurer: Sunil Jain Hitesh Desai Secretary: Food Coordinator: Sumitra Jain Youth Coordinator: Pragna Dabdhawala
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This year our community was very fortunate to have scholar Diptiben Shah from Bombay for the entire Paryushan Parva. She uses charts and pictures to communicate in a modern style, which made her talk interesting and convincing. One of her discourses was the virtual pilgrimage of The Shatrunjay Mahatirtha. This year athai tapasya by Jain Youth Vijay Shah and Punam Mutha, Sudhaben Gandhi observed 10 upvas. She inspires her friends through such high order feats. Other Tapasya included dharma chakra tap, shatkaya tap, several athams, One and Two upvas, ekashana and ayambil, etc., for the entire 8 days of Paryushan. Diptiben introduced a unique tradition of Navakar Mantra Jap Boli for Swapna Darshan on the Lord Mahavir Janam Day. She explained the meaning of each Swapna and as the program was going on the Boli concept was getting stronger and stronger. The final count was 11,296 Navakar malas or 1,219,968 Navakar Jap to be completed in the next 6 months. The boli participants were adults as well as youth. Following the Jain principal of non-possessiveness, Navakar Boli is a new and welcome step cheered by all. Diptiben brought with her the rare Kalpa Sutra written in gold. Swadharmis did Gnan Puja. Diptiben continued and reinforced vowing 11 Navakar Jap Mala each, for the Gnan Puja.
This year we went to Raleigh, NC, Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. We received extremely warm, kind and very generous welcome and hospitality from the respective local Sanghs for which Charlotte Sangh is very grateful.
This year we have been blessed with the visits of several Jain scholars. Among these are Shri Manak Muniji, Rajni Bhai Shah, Diptiben Shah, Chandrakant Bhai Mehta and Pandit Abhay Kumarji Shastri. For information call Padam Dhakad Phone: 704-542-1765 or 704-543-6200 Fax 704-542-3717 email: dhakad@aol.com
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