Jain Digest 2005 11

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

Page 32

CANADA Dr. Mahendra Mehta, Regional Editor
TORONTO, ON
REGIONAL NEWS.
on the stage and many old acquain- tances were renewed.
The Peace Garden event to mark the 22ND UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE was organized on 21st Sept.2004. Our Jain Society's 'Ahimsa musical-dance item prepared by Puja Amin was very well received by every- one present. The inter-faith service was also nicely done.
The Aymbil Ori Parva and Snatra Puja were performed at the Jain Centre. Some 30 people took part and many ladies and few men had done full 9 days
Tap.
Shri Jain Mandir at Park Lawn celebrated Dash Lakshana starting on Sept. 18 through Sept.27. Panditji Anantramji gave a series of Pravachan on ten Lakshana. Dr. Vastupal Parikh and Anjaliben also spoke on Sept.24 & 25. Every morning, there was Abhishek and Puja followed by Pravachan, Aarti and Bhajans.
A grand "Navgraha Puja" was organized on October 31st, 2004 under the guidance of Satyavatiji from India.
leading a good Life. Topics were on daily personal and spiritual management.
The auspicious festival of Paryushan Parv and Das Lakshana Parv started with blessings, inspirational songs and lectures by Sadhviji Shilapiji from Veerayatan. She conveyed the message of ahimsa, true forgiveness, and the message of Tirthankara Mahavira to all age levels, young and old. Sadhviji told stories to our youngsters at Pathshala. Although she told stories the children had heard before, she took them one step beyond just the simple moral of the stories. Mr. Prakash Jain presided during the Das Lakshana parv and gave inspirational lectures every day. He got his spiritual education through intensive training from Todarmal Smarak Trust, which imparted all the four ANUYOGAS with special emphasis on Panch Parmagams.Our center had many Tapasvis with 8 to 11 upvas. Our children, many of them, performed tap of various types for all 18 days. We had Bahuman celebration for all the tapasvis.
Diwali was filled with celebration with good food, meeting friends and community. We then had the Pathsala program of reciting the Namokar Mantra from our Rookies group with solo flute playing of Namokar Mantra and Maitri Bhavanu. This was followed by dances, garbo and skits. The two skits were "The Soul Lives On" showing the Kashays and "Sati Anjana". The program ended with dandiya raas for all. We had the traditional jaap on Thanksgiving day.
We were fortunate this year to have three learned individuals to help us celebrate Paryushan and Das Lakshana.
Shri Pravinbahi Shah from Ahmedavad was our second major speaker who delivered a series of lectures on Barsa Sutra Darshan and Explanation on Kshamapana. He spoke three times everyday, 10-12 in the morning, 2-4 in the afternoon and an hour or so after Pratikraman. Pravinbahi covered a huge volume of scriptural knowledge during his talks and answered many questions from the audience.
Shri Rakesh Kumar Jain from Jaipur was a young 25 year old talented teacher of Jain Scriptures. He held a series of lectures on each of ten Lakshana followed by interactive small group of interested listeners in private homes. At the conclusion of his visit, the grateful audience asked Panditji to come back to Toronto during 2005 Das Lakshana. He consented to the request provided his Guruji concurs.
Shri Rajubhai Desai was our third young 32 year old learned speaker who gave a series of six lectures on "Six Padno Patra". The Pratikraman, every evening, was very well attended and during Samvatsari Pratikraman, the overflow had to be accommodated at Sri Jain Mandir on Parklawn.
The 19th Chaitya Paripati was organized on 17 October 2004. Some 60 or so participants took part in the puja and Stavan singing. The celebrations ended with a many dish lunch. Everyone enjoyed this year's Dadawadi.
Annual DIWALI DINNER of Jain Society was organized by EC members on 21st November and over 900 people attended. There were children's dances, play and music items presented
EDMONTON, AB:
Jains participated prominently in the centennial celebrations of the city of Edmonton on September 26 at the City Hall before 700 people and dignitaries.
The community gathered for meditation and other discourse at Rasik & Taraben's house on October 10.
Nirvana Day was celebrated as the main event in Hindu Cultural Centre as the main event of Sunday on November 14,2004.
BOSTON, MA
Jain Center of Greater Boston, Norwood, MA has been buzzing with activity for the last few months. We ended the summer with Saman Shrutpragyaji and Saman Schitpragyaji with week long topics of Points of Jainism and Principles of Jainism for
Jain Directory of North America
Jain Center of Greater Boston has undertaken the project to publish fifth edition of the Directory of Jains living in North America and Canada. Our anticipated date of publication is first quarter of 2005 with an estimation that this edition will contain listing of over 10,000 families ! Continuing our tradition, most of the work will be done by the volunteers and we plan to mail the directory at no cost to each Jain family listed in the directory.
Jal
WINTER 2005onal
For Private & PeFoareceive JAINA SPECTRUM log on www.jama.org