Jain Digest 2001 07 Vol 19 No 03

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

Page 18

REGIONAL NEWS (continued)
NORTHEAST
Dinesh Chheda, Regional Editor
BOSTON, MA
Jain Center of Greater Boston is getting ready for Pratistha/Murti Sthapan in spring 2002 at Jain temple in Norwood Massachusetts. Further details of Pratishtha will be made available in the next issue.Many other Activities Paryushan/Dashlaxan Parva were celebrated for eighteen days. Daily discourses by Muni Roopchandji, and Dr. Shekharchandji of Ahmedabad were well attended. After the eighteen days of celebrations, Kshamapana, the day of forgiveness was celebrated on September 3rd. Dr. Bharat Shah of New York was the chief guest. The program was followed by swami vatsalya. As in previous conventions, JCGB played an active role and participated in Jaina Convention in Chicago, Level 4 &5, Pathshala students presented a game show Tic- tack -toe: Three Jewels in a Row. The intent of this show was to demonstrate that practices of Jainism in every day life are not difficult. The format of this show was based on the hit TV game show 'Hollywood Squares'. 27 children and adults took the open book exam and our participation was placed 2nd among all Jain centers. Level 6 Pathshala adult students presented the program, 'Comparative Study of Religions' viz. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism via interactive slide show, dialogue and discussions in a drama
like fashion.
Jain Center has joined with JAINA in the project Vardhaman Nagar' at Kutch, Gujarat. JCGB has sponsored a high school at Vardhaman Niagar. A donation of $30,000 has been pledged to JAINA for this project. Members of JCGB donated very generously for this cause .Ahimsa, a documentary by Michael Tobias was exhibited by Boston Vegetarian Society on August 19. This hour long movie shows the Jain way of life in great details. After the movie, the
16/JAIN DIGEST. FALL 2001
eager audience asked many questions which support from the members. Monthly JCGB members replied. Samuh Samayik, Pathshala, bi-weekly Swadhaya classes have started after the summer vacation. If you would like to visit desarar or attend a program, please call Diwakar Shah at 908-754-0891.
We always look forward to new ideas in promoting Jain principles. For additional information please visit our web site www.jcgb.org <http://www.jcgb.org>. For participating in any of the activities of the Jain Center, please contact President Mr. Suren Shah at 508-949-3914, or Vice President Dilip Gandhi at 508-872-6979.
ESSEX FELLS, NY
Sangh members were fortunate to hear the lectures given by Shri Jinchandraji Maharaj, Kumarpalbhai Desai and by Kiranbhai Parekh andDhirajbhai Mehta. Students of Pathshala were awarded certificates for completing / graduating a year and also had their annual summer picnic. More than 185 students attend Pathshala classes on a regular basis. Paryushna parva was celebrated with vigor and enthusiasm under the auspicious presence of Gurudev Chitrabhanuji and Pramodaben. Pramodaben gave lectures on MINNESOTA, MN the Life of Mahavirswami according to Kalpasutra and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji spoke on different subjects relating to Jain philosophy. Arvindbhai Bhandari again volunteered to be a speaker for youth. There were more than 75 Tapasvies who did 8 or more Upvas. Tapasvies were felicitated at the Derasar. Snatra Pooja was performed ev-7 years old. This program was attended by
eryday during Paryushna by Virendra Shah with the help from others.
about 350 people in the Hindu Mandir in Minneapolis. In addition, we participated contributed $4000 for this cause. Samanjis actively in Gujarat Relief Fund activity and Shrutpragya and Shitpragya visited MN in May and their lectures and prayers were
YJA Convention in 2002 will be hosted by youth of Essex Fells Centre. More than 95 members of the Jain Center took part in Chaitya Paripaty trip to Siddhachalam, Allentown, PA temple, Samarpan Temple in Philadelphia, and Pennsauken (Cherry Hill), NJ Dehrasar. Jain Center had pleasure in welcoming members of the Washington, D. C. Jain Sangh during their Chaitya Paripaty.
The fund raising drive for the Franklin Township site has started and getting good
WASHINGTON, DC
Paryushan Parva was celebrated with Pravachan in the morning and evening by Diptiben Shah, a Jain scholar from Mumbai. Swapna darshan ceremony held on August 18 was recorded by PBS TV station, and a 4-minute summary was broadcasted throughout the nation on September 26. Fifteen persons along with Diptiben Shah stayed at the Jain temple throughout the Paryushan Parva. Ramnikbhai Savla gave pravachans during Das Lakshan Parva. A series of Pravachans by Pundit Dhirajlal Mehta will be held on Sept 21-23.1
JAIN CENTER OF MINNESOTA celebrated 2600th Janmakalyanak of Bhagwan Mahavir with a skit on Abhay Kumar, bhajans, speeches by young children and Namokar Mantras by children under
held at various homes and at the Univer
sity of MN. We also celebrated Paryushan and Daslakshan parva and forgiveness day. Kapila Bobra is the President of Jain Center of Minnesota (JCM).