Jain Digest 2006 07 Vol 24 No 3

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

Page 21

PHOENIX, AZ
our Derasar for the first time. We had several Tapasvis this year from the ages of 5 to 88 years. Swami Vatsalya was held for Tapsvi's Bahuman and young Tapasvis were specially recognized. Over 150 people attended this event. This is the first year we celebrated Diwali with Snatra Pooja, Mahavir Nirvan Pooja and a great lunch. On the evening of Diwali all Jains in the valley did a Jaap of Namokar Mantra; nearly 60,000 Jaap created positive vibrations in the Derasar. On the fifth day after Diwali, Gnan Pancham was celebrated with Vakshep Pooja of scriptures. All the pathshala children participated in this event.
The Jain Center of Greater Phoenix (JCGP) has been very busy for the past few months. The Jain community in the Greater Phoenix area has a lot to celebrate this year. A parcel of 4.0 acre of land parcel was purchased and will be donated to JCGP by a group of Investors. The land is fully paid for (it's free and clear). The JCGP has formed a Deraser Committee and this committee has established a project plan to build Deraser with an estimated Pratishtha date of November 2007. Bhumi Pujan on this future Deraser land was conducted on July 9, 2005 by Shree Rakeshbhai Zaveri from India. Nearly 400 people including guests from India and around the country participated in this celebration. There is approx.2200 sq. ft. house on the property, which is currently being used as temporary Deraser and Pathshala. We have one of the longest running Pathshalas in the country as we have been meeting once a week for more than 22 years. We conduct classes for children as well as adults. We now
have Yoga classes every Sunday and TULSA, OK
are planning to start language classes
soon.
JAIN DIGEST. Spring 2005/19 Jain Education International 2010_03
In addition Shram Yagna was held on Nov. 5th where several Jains got together at the Derasar property for cleanup. Guru Jayanti was celebrated on November 20, 2005. For further details, please contact Usha Shah, President & Chair of the Board of Directors of JCGP Email: ushashah@qwest.net Tel: (480) 813-1200 or Dr Kirit Gosalia BOD member, DIGJAIN@aol.com Tel: (602) 863-1073.
or
For information about The Tulsa The Jains of Greater Phoenix area Jain Sangh, please contact Sangh Presiare very excited as it is a step closer to dent Chandrakant Shah at (918) 258realizing our dream of having our own 4400 email Deraser. Deraser committee has al- chandrakantshahtjs@hotmail.com. ready bench marked other Derasers in the country and has tried to capture lessons learned by others to make this project successful. We will soon be submitting a proposed plan to the city of Phoenix for approval.
During the month of September 2005 we celebrated Paryushan Parva for 18 days. Everyday during Paryushan various lectures, Pooja and Pratikraman were conducted. Pandit Dineshbhai and Dr. Ujjawalaben Shah visited Phoenix during Paryushan. We celebrated Mahavir Jayanti with traditional Swapna Vidhi Pooja and Stavans at
CHICAGO, IL
Dr Rakesh Zaveri of Dharampur Rajchandra Äshram visited Chicago from 15th to 17th July and gave talks on various subjects. Many people enthusiastically assembled to listen to him.
Mahavir Senior Center organized a tour to Toronto and Niagara, Canada from 5th to 7th August and a picnic at Morton Alboratum on August 20. 48 people participated in the former and 30 in the latter.
Paryushan Parva was celebrated
in September. Shrutprajnaji, who was invited on that occasion, gave talks on different subjects during those days. Lords' bathing ceremony, Poojä, Ärati and Mangal Divo were also conducted during those days.
On September 3 Manubhai Doshi was felicitated for getting Jaina Ratna award at the Jaina biennial convention held in California.
More than 1500 people participated in Swapan Darshan ceremony. There was a Gheeboli of $52000 on that occasion. It was followed by Swämivätsalya and Bhävanä.
One merit scholarship of $ 1000 and four need-based scholarships of S 500 each were given from JSMC Heritage Fund on that day.
Samvatsari Pratikraman was performed in English and Gujarati. About 2000 people took advantage.
MIDWEST
Manubhai Doshi, Regional Editor DETROIT, MI
58 persons observed eight days' or longer fasts during the Parva. A procession was organized at Jain Center on September 11 in order to felicitate these tapasvis. It was followed by lunch and talk by Bhattarak Chärukeertiji.
Dashlaxanä Parva was celebrated in the presence of Bhattärak Shri Chärukeerti of Moodbidri Gurupeeth.
The Jain Society of Greater Detroit observed Paryushana Parva, concluding with the Parna event attended by over 600 community members. We had 28 adults and 6 youth members who completed Athai, 10 adult tapasvis who completed 9 fasts or more, including two who completed 16 fasts, one person performed Varshitapa, and one who observed
REGIONAL NEWS