Jain Digest 2005 07

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

Page 25

All activities are posted on JCSC's website SAN DIEGO, CA at www.jaincenter.net. For additional information, please contact Rameshbhai Doshi, JCSC President, at 714/995-8914 or rcdoshi@yahoo.com.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) has raised over $100,000 for the Tsunami Relief Fund through generous contributions and a musical concert organized by the local SEATTLE, WA artists. Preparations for the 2005 JAINA Convention to be held July 1-4 are well underway. Jain religious leaders, dignitaries and followers from USA, Canada, UK, Europe, India, Africa and other countries will participate in this four-day
event.
JCNC Education committee has introduced a new Shala event called "Samuhik Prayer Day" with the concept that "Prayer doesn't change things. It changes people and they change things". The first "Samuhik Prayer Day" was ded
icated to the Tsunami victims and their
families. The Jain Shala sleepover at the Jain Bhawan on February 28 was well attended. Approximately 75 children were organized in various groups and participated in fun activities that included Darshan, yoga, games, reading, and a talent show.
Astanika Parva, a Digambar Jain tradition, was celebrated March 19-20 with dharma sadhna led by Dr. Khem Chand Ji Jain. Astanika Parva is a celebration of an occasion when four types of
Devta perform puja on 52 Akritram ORLANDO, FL Chaitalaya.
Information about activities are published in the "JCNC Darpan" newsletter and are posted on JCNC's
website at www.jcnc.org. SACRAMENTO, CA
Jain Center of Greater Sacramento (JCGS) organizes a monthly swadhyay and various activities including religious celebrations, Preksha dhyan and meditation classes, and lectures by visiting dignitaries. For additional information, please contact Rajiv Jain, JCGS President, at e-mail: arham 108@aol.com.
Jain Society of San Diego (JSSD) organizes regular activities which include a monthly Jainshala for children, adult classes, swadhyay, and a weekly pooja every Saturday at Shri Mandir. For additional information, please contact Manjila Jain, JSSD President, at email: manjularjain@hotmail.com.
Jain Education Intemational
Jain Society of Seattle (JSS) organizes monthly programs on every 2nd Sunday of the month. For additional information about JSS and programs in Seattle area, please contact Devkumar Gandhi, JSS President, at 425/235-4848
or
log
on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jainsoci
etyseattle/.
to
celebrated Mahavir Janam Kalyanak and Jain Society Of Central Florida more than 200 people attended the celebration marking the 2,604th birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.
The program began with chanting of the Navakar Mahamantra, followed by stavans, drama on Charity Giving, dances and a speech. The entire program, children ages from 6 month to 15 years. except for the speech, was performed by The program concluded with the
Swamivatsalya.
Varshitap Parna: Mrs. Harshaben Nareshbhai Shah, residing in Cherry Hill, N.J. was doing her 5th Varshitap. She was visiting Orlando, and her wishes to do Varshitap Parna at JSOCF center, in Orlando. JSOCF organized a Parna ceremony at the center on Akha Trij Day, May11th. More than 40 members showed up for the Parna ceremony along with her guests from India. The Parna was done with 108 Ghadhas (tokries) with freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. After that one of the Samnijis gave a lecture and the program was concluded with the Swamivatsalya. Mrs. Harshaben Shah has already started her 6th Varshitap.
23. JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 2005
108 Parshvanath Pujan:On the eve of first anniversary of the Prathistha of temple/upashray, on August 6th, The JSOCF will organize 108 Parshvanath Pujan. It will be conducted by well renounced Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and group from India. JSOCF is inviting all Jains to attend this function.
CANADA
Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor TORONTO, ON
Jain Society of Toronto observed
Aymbil in April and June at Jain Centre with 30+ tapasvis taking part.
first major program at Jain Centre that Mahavir Jayanti is usually the from winter blues of January and brings out as many as 600+ members February. There was snatra puja, aarti, mangal divo followed by Swamivatsalya.
Trustee Elections: Of the five trustees of Jain Society of Toronto, two had completed their 5 year terms. The Singh Khamesra and Dr. Mahendra H. new elected trustees were Mr. Shobhagh Mehta.
Rajendra Kamdar from Rajkot, India and a renowned scholar on works of
Acharya Kund Kund and a student of Kanji Swami of Songadh visited the Centre in May and gave a series of dis
courses on self realization.
of the many members of Interfaith Jain Society of Toronto was one Organization that participated in the Open Day and our Centre had some 200 visitors on May 28, 2005. Mr. Dharam Jain and Mr. Jaswant Shah welcomed the visitors, showed them around and answered many of their questions. It was a practical demonstration how such exercises can bring interfaith understanding and enhance friendship and desire to learn other viewpoints on various issues. In July: Paulomi Gudka was bestowed with Youth award and Prakash Modi was given adult recognition award.
ized by the Pathsala teachers was a roaring The Jain Pathsala Picnic organsuccess. Over 150 children and their parents took part in the outdoor activities continued on page 20
REGIONAL NEWS....