Jain Digest 2007 11 1

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

Page 38

JAIN DIGEST• Winter 2007
... Pathshala teachers:
faith programs, thus staying in touch with the core principles
that they have learnt and spreading them to the greater In countries like USA, Canada, UK, and Africa where many populace. We, the Guest Editorial team hope that this becomes Jains have settled permanently, children and young adults do the catalyst in the assimilation process of the Indians in the not have access to Jain literature in English. In order to make greater North American context and that it positively influence Jain principles known to the world at large, Jain literature must coming generations to a peaceful coexistence.
W uusi 174 be widely made available in English. It is also necessary to publish it in varieties of mediums for the English-speaking lain Society of Greater Atlanta people harboring interest in the Jain religion and its scriprures. The JAINA Education Committee has taken up this task. In 2006 was another very active for the Jain Society of greater addition, JAINA Education Committee organizes Jain Teachers Atlanta. The two-story, 15,000 Sq. ft. Jain Center built in 2000 Conventions during JAINA conventions, and occasionally at on a 3.75 acres land was buzzing with activities throughout other times to discuss the education material, curriculum, and
the year. The yoga and meditation classes, children's Pathshala a long term planning for Päthashälä. 75-80 teachers from
5-60 teachers from as well as classes for youth and adults followed by Aarti and various Jain Centers attend and participate and get trained
Mangal-divo and lunch have now become a regular Sunday during each conference. In large center many time the Pathshala
routine for the Jain Community. teachers are also trained by a local scholar.
All Pathshala children were beautifully dressed in their shiny
crowns, Indra-Indrani, ladies were in the chunddi and gharPathshalas and Swadhyays Across
chola, chanting mantras and distributing chandan, flowers and
rice, while all the members took turns in the groundbreaking North America
ceremony. - Compiled by Guest Editorial Team and Contributed by various Jain Centres
Jain Samaj of Greater Portland & SW Washington With a vision to impart Jain education to youths growing up
Pathshala: 12 students, ages 4-9; Swadhyay: 8 adults, ages 25in this country, the pioneering work done by Jain Center of
70. Greater Boston has blossomed in to Pathshalas across all major metropolitan areas of the country, irrespective of the size of the The Pathshala students meet twice a month, and are taught Jain population, or the existence of a temple. This is evident using the JAINA books. They are very eager to learn about from the size of the Pathshalas - from half a dozen to a dozen Jainism and applying Jain principles in their daily lives. students at smaller Centers to a whopping 350+ students at
The Swadhyay group has been meeting weekly, on and off for
this the Chicago center and everything in between. Similarly,
past 20 years, very regularly for the last 5 years. People from all starting with the photo-copied booklets of the initial shala days
traditions come together to discuss topics using specific books, to the fully organized and evolving Pathshala books (being now
being now
DVD
DVD or Video tapes. Discussion is followed by recap and review adopted by Pathshalas even outside the US) to the innovative
of the day's topic. Once a month, half an hour of the 2 hour ways of teaching and interactively presenting the principles of
Swadhyay session is devoted to Bhakti & Bhavna. Jainism and practicing them in the day-to-day context, the method of teaching has come a long way too. The Guest Jain Center of South Louisiana Editorial team feels that a lot of further and quicker progress can be made by learning from each of these Centers valuable
Pathshala: 4 - 10 students; Swadhyay: 3-6 adults, ages 35-60; experiences by JAINA Education Committee actively soliciting
Bhakti: 25-30 adults and incorporating some of these teaching methods and Students meet monthly to do brainstorming, and learn using materials.
JAINA materials in a very hands-on format. This provides If the formal Pathshala education is filling the pail of the
incentive for everyone to participate actively. Receiving feedback students with the knowledge of Jain principles, the Swadhyavs from the participants helps maintain interest of the group. conducted across the nation are the lighting of the fire of The Swadhyay group meets weekly to discuss chapters / topics spirituality. The first generation immigrants from India wanting from books as well as personal experiences and discusses selfto not only impart the knowledge of Jainism but practice it by improvement ideas. The Bhakti / Bhavna group meets monthly, discussions and scholar or peer-learning via Swadhyay is and includes Swadhyay in the activity, using JAINA material. understandable. But the college students and young professionals have taken this to the next level, using technology Jain Center of Minnesota like audio-visual presentations, conference calls, starting groups Pathshala: 7 students, ages 4-9; Swadhyay: 40 adults, ages 0of like-minded people at Universities, participating in Inter- 70 vears
Jain Education Intemational