Jain Digest 2000 03 Vol 16 No 1

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

Page 20

though we were one hour late arriving Koba, Shri Atmanandji addressed the assembly and gave his blessings. They had also made very comfortable arrangements for night stay of all the yatris and the Patni's staff.
This last day was now looking like a very long day. By the afternoon as we reached Hathesingh Temple everyone was tired. Yatris Rashmikant and Bakula Jhaveri sponsored the lunch and that did revitalize us. A small ceremony was held to thank 11 member Patani family who had made all of our travel arrangements. Our Sangh's resident poet, Ila Mehta of Ohio dished out a very moving poetry praising their efforts and expressing feelings of the Yatris. They fed us wonderful meals, took care of us and arranged 15 day Yatra very comfortably, not just as customers but as though we were members of their family. We presented a JAINA plaque of "Excellence in Service" to them. Tears were on many faces as every one realized that yatra 2000 was about to end, and separation from newly acquired friends was inevitable.
In the morning, the last day of our yatra, once again the Yatris got to hear Atmanandji as he participated in Bhav Pooja. Next door to the Ashram stands a beautiful temple, Jain art exhibition and Poostak Bhandar. Koba is commendable job of cataloging old manuscripts of other Poostak Bhandars like that of Jaisalmer and Patan in the country. Their plan is to copy the INTERNATIONAL NEWS..
material digitally for preservation and world wide distribution. It would be a fitting memory of this Sangh to fund latest equipment (Scanners, computers and a CD burner) so that our Jain heritage is preserved for the future generations.
From Koba, we proceeded to Tapovan. The serene atmosphere in this Jain Boarding School for about 350 students is a sight to behold. A neat and clean establishment with a Goshala, beautiful temple, and learning halls with names like Nalanda. Bright young boys Veer Sainiks of tomorrow in their white uniforms won hearts of the yatris. We saw their computer class room and noticed many of their computers were so old that they could not load Windows on them and students were using WordStar for word processing! Outside the classrooms Yatris raised within minutes enough money to buy one Pentium II based computer. We also donated money to sponsor one student for full four years. Students presented an inspiring program on the stage and as we left Tapovan with the feeling that institutions like Tapovan will assure bright future for Jainism.
Our last stop was L D institute of Indology. Jain art exhibition at the institute could not possibly be seen or enjoyed in the couple of hours we had on hand. Lalit Kumar, curator of the museum was so knowledgeable and so giving that the Yatris
felt guilty rushing out to the library and the research facility next door. Again, time was short but the elderly gentleman at the library patiently showed how they were preserving the old manuscripts and showed some old writings on palm leaves.
The Yatra was now complete. Conscious efforts and goodwill of all the yatris to achieve something great did result in
18/ JAIN DIGEST. SPRING 2000
a memorable experience of a lifetime. The success of the yatra was also a result of excellent teamwork of the group leaders.
Jain Education Intemational
After dinner at a restaurant, many stayed behind in Ahemdabad and others took train to Bombay. Soon planning for the 2001 Yatra will have to begin.
(The writer wishes to acknowledge gratefully very valuable help of Dr. Jwala Prasad of Cincinnati in preparing this article)
SAMANS VISIT USA AND AFRICA
Saman Sthitpragya and Saman Ashwanipragya, disciples. of Anuvrat Anusashta Acharyashri Mahapragya, successfully completed a six-month tour of USA and Africa. After a three-month stay in USA, Samans left on a tour of several African countries that included Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Harare, Tanzania, Kenya and Dubai. In Nigeria, the Samans presented lectures on Stress Management and Preksha Meditation to the Nigerians. In South Africa, they addressed the Indian communities in Johannesburg and Durban on he topic of Anuvrat Lifestyle. The Samans had an opportunity to give a presentation on "Preksha Meditation" to nearly 8,000 participants who attended the Parliament of World Religions in Cape Town. In Mauritius, the Samans were interviewed on the topics of "Anger Management" and "Peaceful Family Life" which were aired on the radio and TV. In Harare, nearly 600 students attended their program on "Science of Living". A workshop on meditation and yoga was well received by the Indian community in Tanzania. The Samans participated in an eight-day program hosted by the Jain Samaj in Mombasa, Kenya. In Dubai, the Jain community had an opportunity to learn from them about the teaching of Lord Mahavir. Following such an extensive tour, the Samans returned to India on January 9, 2000.
GURUDEV SHRI KANJI SWAMI CELEBRATION OF 111TH JANMA JAYANTI
Mumukshus in North America and UK will celebrate the 111th Janma Jayanti of Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami, during NJ. Three days Adhyatmik Shibir is the main feature of this Memorial long week end (May 27-29) this year at Siddhachalam, event. Eminent scholars from India will conduct the Shibir. Besides this, multimedia presentation, Pooja, Bhakti and other programs are also included. Many Jains from North America and also from UK are expected to participate. For more information,
please contact Jyotsana V. Shah, Phone: 570-287-7457 or Hasmukh M. Shah, Phone: 734-394-1731. Email. kahanguru@hotmail.com