Jain Digest 2007 11 1

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

Page 2

Jain Center of America – JCA- New York
Jain Unity with Diversity in Practice
ILL
Established in 1976, the Jain Center of America (New York) (JCA) was one of the first Jain centers to be established in North America. The center purchased it's first Temple building in 1981. The JCA celebrated its Pratishta Mahotsav in June 2005, whereby a newly constructed four-storey complex with cellar on the original site established a unique example of Unity in Diversity within the Jain community. The new 4 story complex with cellar represents all of the various traditions of our faith: Shri Adinath Temple (Digamber), Shri Mahavir Temple (Swetamber), Sthanak Hall (Sthanakvasi), Dadawadi Temple, Srimad Raichandra Meditation Hall and the soon-to-be-inaugurated Asthapad Teerth Mountain, with Seventy Two Murtis of our past, present and future Tirthankars, all made of Precious Gemstones (diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, etc.). The basement of the JCA complex contains an exhibition hall where artwork and other material related to Jainism are exhibited on rotation basis. A well-furnished library with an expanding collection of Jain books and shastras is situated beside the Meditation Hall on the third floor. On the fourth floor there is a spacious Bhojanshala, fully equipped with modern cooking facilities, capable of seating 200 people at a time. Daily, and especially on weekends, visitors can participate in the activities and rituals of one or all Jain traditions and discover the extent to which the basic precepts of all of our traditions are alike and finish off by enjoying a Samoohik Swamivatsalya. Since the inauguration of this complex in June 2005, there has been increasing participation of our younger generation, both youths and well as professionals, in ritual, educational and cultural activities. The JCA complex is fast becoming an example for Jains throughout the world as a model of Jain Unity despite Diversity of our Traditions, following the central Jain principle of Anekantvad. The JCA complex is situated in Queens, New York and easily reachable by subway or bus from all the boroughs of New York. Location: 43-11 Ithaca Street, Elmhurst, Queens, NY 11373 • Easily Accessible by Plane, Train & Roads. Tel. 718.478.9141 Open Daily 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM - Email: DRMK Pandya@gmail.com