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Orlando, FL
The Jain Society of Central Florida, Orlando held Paryushan and celebrated Mahavir Jayanti on September 12th. More than 150 people from all around Florida attended the event. On the agenda was stavans singing and the cultural program presented by children. It was followed by gheeboli of swapans and dinner. More than $13,000 was collected towards the Jain
a
temple to be built in Orlando area. One of its members, Mrs. Darshana completed sixteen upvas, Mrs. Rita Parikh and Mr. Dipak Shah completed atthais and Mr. Shashikant Shah did five upvas.
NORTHEAST Dinesh Chheda, Regional Editor
Rochester, NY
Jain Society of Rochester invited Pravin C. Shah of North Carolina and organized a workshop on JAINISM on Nov.6 and 7, 1999. About 90% of the members of the Jain Society of Rochester enthusiastically attended the workshop. This was the first time in its history of 20 years that an event of this type was held and more importantly the participants showed such a high level of interest on a serious topic. Most attendees felt that although they had picked up basics of JAINISM in bits and pieces in the past, the workshop offered them an excellent vehicle to study it in an orderly fashion. The talk on some of the major religions of the world was also very informative and shed a different light on our views of other faiths. About half a dozen mature youths also came to this workshop and went away very satisfied with what they learned. Our problems stem from ignorance and this kind of workshop is a very effective step in the right direction. For questions, please call Anop Vora, 716-473-9290.
Jain Education International 2010_02
EssexFalls, N.J.
A total of about two months of Swadhayay lectures were conducted by Shri Kiranbhai Parekh, Smt. Diptiben Shah, Cherry Hill, NJ Smt. Sunandaben Vohra and Smt. Tarlaben Doshi. Arunbhai and Mayuriben Zaveri gave discourses on Preksha Meditation and showed how our religion is also connected to science.
Paryushana Mahaparva was celebrated
with vigor and enthusiasm under the auspicious presence and everyday vyakhanmala
of Shri Kumarpal Desai. Jain Center had a record number of Tapasyas this year, Tapasvis were felicitated on September 19, 1999 at the derasar. This year aayambil oli had two weekends, there were about 75 to 85 people each day doing aayambil at derasar.
Diwali was celebrated on Sunday November 7th, with Mahavirswami Panchkalyanak Pooja followed by a procession from Derasar. About 300 people walked in the half mile procession along with a small band and children on ponies. The day ended with a bhavna at night. Thirty six hours of continuous Navkar Mantra JAP were held at our derasar from the evening on Diwali day to the morning of New Year to celebrates the 72hour Akhand Deshana (message) given by Bhagwan Mahavir before his Nirvana. The New Year festivities began on November 9th, with Mangalik followed by Snatra Pooja and Bhavna. More than 800 people took part in atleast one of the activities of the day.
Mr. Diwakar Shah has taken over the Presidency of Jain Center of New Jersey till the end of the present Executive term expiring in December 2000.
A Health Fair was organized for Sunday November 21, 1999. More than 15 doctors volunteered their services for EKG, Blood Tests, Dental Care, Diet guidelines, children's health, etc.
Dedicated members keep the Derasar open on every Sunday in the afternoon. If you are visiting New Jersey / New York
For Private & Personal Use Only
City area and would like to attend a pro gram, please call Mr. Diwakar Shah at 908 -754-0891.
Sangh celebrated "Tapasvi Bahuman' on September 19th. Sundanaben Vohra ha accepted our invitation to celebrate Paryushna Mahaparva with us during the year 2000. Merit Scholarship awards ($500
each) were given to Ketan Gala and Nee K. Shah. The Jain Sangh is nonprofit orga
nization. Dehrasar is located at 3401 Cooper Ave. Pennsukan, NJ 08109. Dehrasat phone: (609) 662-1076. For further information please contact current President Kirti Shah (609) 983-2974.
Washington, DC
The Jain Society celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Temple on Sunday, August 22,1999. As part of the celebration, a Snatra Puja and 18 Abhishek were performed by Mulchand Talakshi Gala of New Jersey. In all 24 families participated in the performance of the Puja and Abhishek.
Tarlaben Doshi from Bombay helped us to celebrate the Paryushan Parva from September 7 to 14, with a series of lectures, Swapna ceremony, and samwantsari pratrikraman. Swapna ceremony attended by about 600 members was held on Sept 11th. Samvatsari Pratrikraman was held on Sept 14th, followed by Raja Kumarpal Aarti and Sanjji to felicitate the Tapasvis. There were 7- Atthai (8 Upvas).
Vajubhai Ajmera from Rajkot, Gujarat helped us to celebrate the Das Lakshana Parva from September 14 to 24, with a series of lectures and pratrikraman. The Pratrikraman was held on Sept 24th. Kamini Shah did 10 Upvas.
Everything about New York is big. When they decide to do anything, it has to be the biggest. So when the Jain Center of America decided to visit our Temple they had to make it a very big occasion and to
JAIN DIGEST WINTER 1999/9 www.jainelibrary.org
