Jain Digest 2000 07 Vol 16 No 03

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

Page 22

R
IDERS
INTERNATIO
AL NEWS
UPCOMING MAGNIFICIENT JIN MANDIR AND
TIRTH KSHETRA IN INDIA
The JVB Center in Houston was established on December 11, 1999 and is presently guided by Samani Akshaya Pragya and Samani Sanmati Pragya. Regular activities at the center include Swadhyay, and classes on Preksha Yoga, Meditation, and Relaxation for adults and children. Various books and audio/video cassettes on Pravachan, Yoga, Meditation and Songs are available for purchase. Counseling services to address personal problems are also available.
The Orlando JVB Center is located at 7819 Lillwill Ave. Orlando, FL 32809 and can be reached at 407/852-8694 or by e-mail at jainvishwa@hotmail.com. The Houston IVB Center is located at 1712 Highway 6, South Houston, TX 77077 and can be reached at 281/596-9642 or at jvbhouston@hotmail.com. Additional information is available at www.jainvishwabharati.org website.
JAANA A new organization, Jain Adhyatma Academy of North America ( JAANA] “ has been started recently with focus to preserve,propogate and perpetuate Jain Adhyatma to the next generation. For infomation call: Atul Khara (0)972-424-4902 (H)972-867-6535;insty@airmail.net .Mahendra Shah (0)305-3712149 (H)305-595-3833;bhitap@bellsouth.net
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai, Prime Minister of India inaugurated first Thirthankar Bhagwan Shri Rushabhdev NirvanMahotsava Celebration on international level for one year, on February 04, 2000. at Red Fort, Delhi. Many dignitaries including JAINA President Dr. Mahendra Pandya were present on this occasion.
In the spirit of commemorating such grand international celebration, Shri Pawan Kumar Jain, well known Philanthropist. Industrialist is building a huge and open Jain Temple at Aligarh, UP with many attractions and facilities. Bhagwan Shri RUSHABHDEV statue in padmasan of 11 feet height, which will be placed on the artificial mountain of around 40 feet. "Manastambha" of Bhagwan Shri Rushabhdev, 63 feet height will be built in the entrance of the Jin Mandir. Besides this, domed temples of Bhagwan Mahavirswami and Bhagwan Bahubali will be built. This complex will have a big Swadhyay Bhawan/ huge library wherein charans (footprints) of Acharya Kund Kund and other Acharyas will be installed with photos and “Paramagams". In the second phase, a Jamboo Dweep, Nandishwar Dweep, Samavsarn are proposed to be built.
Shri Pawan Kumar has compiled a huge volume "JINAGAMSAR” which is more like an encyclopedia on Jainism.
Shilanyas ceremony for the above project, which is named as "Mangalayatan", will be performed on December 27, 2000.
For more information please contact Hasmukh M. Shah. 727-376-7290.
Email: kahanguru@hotmail.com
SAMANS VISIT ASIA AND AFRICA
KOJAIN SAMMELAN-2000 KOJAIN (Kachchhi Oswal Jain Association of North America), an affiliate member of JAINA, had a very successful three day convention at Cherry Hill, NJ from July 28-30, 2000. More then 400 Kachchhi community members attended the convention.
The three day event was full of activities for adults and chil- dren. Some of the highlights of the program included a performance by Musical group "Khelaiya" with dandiya raas and a cultural program performed by young community artists. A panel discussion on career choices, parent and youth discussions on Interracial Marriages and Growing Up in the midst of two cultures, a medical discussion by community doctors, a Drought Relief presentation by community youths were also well attended during the weekend. "Who wants to be a Kachchhi Scholar" game, generated by Mr. Sudhir Shah, was a huge success. While young children enjoyed fabric painting and embroidery work- shop, adult were fortunate to have yoga classes conducted by pujya samnijis, disciples of acharya Tulsi maharaj.
The gathering was addressed by keynote speaker Kantisen Shroff chairman of Vivekanand Research and Training Institute. Other speakers included Tulsi Gajra Managing Trustee of VRTI, Dr. Dhiraj Shah, past president of JAINA, Vijay Chheda, Dr. Chandravadan Haria, Hans Maru and Dami Rambhia, Tansukh Maru, Dinesh Chheda, secretary of KOJAIN, concluded the session. The food arrangement was monitored by Mr. Bhavanji Lodaya and his team.
Saman Shrutpragya and Saman Sthitpragya has successfully completed a tour of several Asian and African countries from April 12 to June 10. The Samans were invited in Bangkok, Thailand. A ceremony to present Jain Agams (scriptures) to the Silpakorn University was jointly organized by the Jain Vishwa Bharati Institute, Ladnun, India and the Bangkok Jain Sangh. They spent two weeks in Malaysia and visited Kaula Lumpur, Malaka, Johor Baru and Penang where they gave lectures on the teaching of Lord Mahavir. At the Birla Group in Johor Baru, the teaching of L Samans directed a workshop on Preksha Meditation and health management. During a one-month tour of South Africa, the Samans visited Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and several other cities where they gave lectures on stress management, anger management, and on Anuvrat lifestyle. Following their inspiration and prompting, a Jain Sangh of South Africa has now been established in Durban.
20/ JAIN DIGEST-FALL 2000
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