Jain Digest 2003 09 Vol 22 No 3

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

Page 29

REGIONAL NEWS....
Dhirajbhai Pundit, Smt. Diptiben Shah.
Students of Pathshala were awarded certificates for completing / graduating a year. More than 200 students at three different locations attend Pathshala classes on a regular basis. Graduating class of 2003 celebrated their graduation by having 108 Parswanath Poojan at Derasar.
Mahaparva Paryushana was celebrated with enthusiasm under the auspicious presence of Vir Sainiks Lalitbhai Dhami, and Yogeshbhai Shah. Lalitbhai Dhami conducted Bhavna everyday and Yogeshbhai Shah gave lectures on various topics relating to Jain philosophy that showed the greatness of our Jain religion and how a shravak can attain Moksha. Arvindbhai Bhandari again volunteered to be a Paryushana Mahaparva's guest speaker for youth. He was joined by Bipinbhai Shah. Jain Center had another great Paryushana and there were more than 83 Tapasvies who did 8 or more Upvas. Tapasvies were felicitated at the Derasar. Snatra Pooja was performed everyday during Paryushana.
Dedicated members keep Derasar open every Sunday afternoon. This year the
Derasar was also kept open on Saturday afternoons during months of April till end
of October with the help of members.
If you are visiting New Jersey area and would like to visit or attend a program, please call Shri Virendra Shah at 732-3293236.
SOUTHWEST Jadavji Kenia, Regional Editor
HOUSTON, TX
Every Sunday Jain Society of Houston has lectures of Samani Madhurpragyaji and Samani Parimalpragyaji. During summer we had visits from scholars like Dr.
Hukum Chandji Bharill, Manak Muniji Pandit Dhirajbhai, and Pareshbhai Maniyar. Around August 15th JSH participated in India Fest held at the Reliant Arena. JSH participated in a youth parade, and kept a booth to make general public aware of Jain Society and its activities in Houston. Dr. Verma gave a lecture on Patanjali Yoga on August 17th. Shri Girish Shah from Los Angeles visited JSH during Paryushana from August 24th to 31st. Dr. K. K. Jain is here for the Das Laxan Parv from September 1st to 11th.
Among the other news, JSH has decided (by majority votes) to keep and PHOENIX, AZ expand, as necessary, the temple in its current place at 3705 Arc Street in Houston, Texas.
For more information about JSH activities please contact JSH President Shanti Gala at 281-398-7402 or Navin Shah, JAINA Director at 281-565-9780 (navinrshah@yahoo.com).
DALLAS, TX
During the summer of 2003 we are having usual dignitaries starting with Dr. Hukum Chandji Bharill in June. Dr Bharill
used one of the Gathas of Pravachan Saar
to emphasize the nature of soul and its Guna of Gyan and how Dhyan of one's own soul can achieve getting rid of Mithyatva. Shastri Abhaykumar Jain visited in July and presented a series of discourses. July 11th was also the 10th anniversary of the Murti Pratishtha so we had a renowned Vidhikar Narendra Nandu and party for Pujas and Bhavnas. Shastri Abhaykumar also performed the Bhaktamar Vidhan (puja) during this celebration. We also had Pandit Dhirajbhai Mehta and Sunandaben Vohra.
Paryushan Maha Parva was celebrated in August followed by Das Laxan Maha Parva in September. Besides several upwas
(1's, 2's, 3's, 4's) and Ekasanas there were 7 Atthai locally and 2 in India by JSNT members. Over 250 people participated in the Swapana ceremony and in the Samvatsari Pratikramans. Pratikraman in English was done on August 10th.
JSNT contact is our current president Bhal Daulat at 214-824-1953, email: thewhiterocker@yahoo.com. JSNT website is www.dfwjains.org. JSNT members would like to convey Michchhami Dukkadam to all the Jain Digest readers.
Jain Center of Greater Phoenix celebrated Paryushan Parva with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Some of the events planned during the eight days were daily Pratikraman, Swadhyay, Mahavir Bhagwan's Swapana Vidhi, Bhavna,and
Samvatsari Pratikraman. A lot of adults and children did Tapasyas. The Tapasvi Bahuman and Swami Vatsalya are scheduled for Sept 21st. Das Lakshana celebration is continuing along with a visit by Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta. The weekly Pathshala for children and Swadhyay for adults have begun after a well-deserved summer break. Finally, Michchhami Dukkadam to all from the JCGP members.
For details on the Jain Center's activities, visit: http://members.tripod.com/ jain_phoenix. Email for JCGP: Jain_phoenix@hotmail.com or contact Mehul Rajparia at (602) 795-4987 email - Mehul.Rajparia@sybase.com. Current president is Mahendrabhai Shah.
TULSA, OK
Construction for our new Jain Center
is almost finished and the Gabhara assembly has been shipped from India. We are hopeful to finish this project soon and get ready for Pratishtha next year.
JAIN DIGEST. Fall 2003/27 www.jainelibrary.org