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EDMONTON, AB
CANADA Dr. Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor
REGIONAL NEWS....
The local Jain community is participating in the Centennial Celebrations of Alberta by joining the processions, singing and display of photographs of temples with historical records of arrival of Jains in Alberta. The Samvatsari Pratikraman is organized at the home of Mrs.Devila Mehta.
WINNIPEG, MB
Paryushan Celebration, an annual event in Winnipeg, occurred with a bang this year too. Although a small Jain community, we had 2 big tapasvis Nirmala Dhruve with Athai (8 upwas) and Nishant Dhruve with Atham (3 upwas) and Chhath (2 upwas). At the end of this auspicious celebration, we (the Dhruve family), hosted parna at our house inviting close to 120 people, both jain and non-jains'. On this day we had prayers and then closed off with a few words of non-violence and forgiveness.
Everyone enjoyed the Annual Jain Youth Camp and the fourth one is in planning
The Adult Jain Arhum Yoga Retreat was held at the same place August 6-8. Panditji Dhirubhai Mehta returned to Toronto after missing last year's visit due to SARS epidemic. Panditji continued with the last four of eight Yashovijayji Maharaj's famous work entitled "Aath Drastini Sajjay". Pandit Abhay Kumarji gave a series of talks at Sri Jain Mandir, Park Lawn during the week of 19-26 July. Panditji conducted Puja and gave discourses both at Sri Jain Mandir and at the Jain Centre.
TORONTO, ON
The Annual Picnic of Jain Society of Toronto was organized at Petticoat Creek Conservation Area in Pickering on Sunday 25 July 2004. Over 250 adults and children took part in socializing, eating good food, playing communal sports and Bingo and generally enjoying a nice summer day. Samnijis Mangal Pragya and Amit Pragya of Jain Vishava Bharti, New Jersey came to Toronto and held classes on Preksha Meditation and Women's Health at the Jain Centre during their July 11-22 stay in Toronto. Samnijis spoke to congregation at Sri Jain Mandir, Parklawn.
The Pathshala Picnic was organized on Sunday 22 Aug.,2004 at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton for the children and parents of Pathshala at the Jain Centre by Mr. Ramesh Varia and other Pathshala teachers. The occasion was a great venue for parents and children to interact with Pathshala teachers and with one another.
The Jain community in Winnipeg is growing strong and is proud to be involved in a number of functions. We have for example, hosted and celebrated Mahavir jayanti at Hindu temple every year and have also hosted the first ever snatra pooja. We also meet at each other's houses to have pooja and group prayer on a monthly basis. These activities have gone on for approximately three years and we hope to continue them strengthening our pride in the Jain religion.
Tarlaben Doshi came to Toronto at the beginning of September 2004 and has been giving series of talks at the home of Arhant and Vandana Jain.
MONTREAL, PQ
13 members of Jain Samaj of Montreal planned a JATRA for two days, on Labor Day weekend. Their first stop was in Boston and the Jain Sangh welcomed the 'Yatris' with usual comforts followed by a Pravachan from one of the Samans.
The Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care advises and helps in dealing with Ontarians of different faiths in private and public institutions, Courts, Prisons etc. Prakash Mody, our indefatigable representative is working to include needs of Jains regarding Worship, Diet, Festival Celebrations, Health, Medical, Death and Funeral requirements in the Official Handbook used by various authorities. The EC of Jain Society is helping these efforts with financial contributions.
Shree Rajubhai Desai from Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur, India came to Toronto at the beginning of September and finished seven evening discourses at the residence of Jitu and Jayshree Sanghvi. Rajubhai will also speak at Jain Centre during Paryushan Celebrations. Rajubhai is accompanied by Ms.Charuben Chitalia whose opening rendition of various stavans creates ideal ambiance for attentive listening to Rajubhai's discourses on how to realize one's Atma and start one's journey towards Moksha.
The next stop was at Burlington, 40 min. drive from Boston. There was a Samuh Chairya Vandan with welcoming from Vasantbhai and Sarojben. The third and last stop was at Albany N.Y. After another Samuh Chaitya Vandan, the group headed for home. Everyone on the trip enjoyed the outing thoroughly.
The International Mahavir Jain Mission held the third Annual Youth Camp at Loretto Centre, Niagara Falls on July 30 to Aug. 2, 2004. Shree Amrendra Muniji was the special guest. There were yoga and meditation group activities but also cricket, soccer, kabadi and to top it all, water balloon fights! 24. JAIN DIGEST FALL 2004
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