Jain Digest 2007 11 1

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

Page 39

JAIN DIGEST Winter 2007
Jain Society of North Texas
काराव
Pathshala: 78 students, Swadhyay: 8 adults We have 6 age-based levels. Basic principles of Jainism are taught in an interactive and very interesting way; this promotes a lot of curiosity and awareness. There are 2 Swadhyay groups - Hindi and Gujarati, with the Hindi group drawing participants from all sects.
We have a single-level classes that meets monthly. JAINA materials including Jain Skits, Stutis, lessons, first step of Jainism. coloring & dot-to-dor books, puzzles. lain games etc. are used for the classes. Interactive mode of teaching is used, with two hours of time equally divided in different categories such as Recital, Hands on activity, Story time, Puzzles & Games etc. The classes are having good impact on children, and there is great interest in increasing the frequency of the classes. After one of the lessons about "Jiv and Ajiv", a 4-year old boy was talking about not killing a small spider and not wanting to do "Hinsa". Swadhyay group holds religious discourses and discussions 8 - 10 times a year. In addition, Mr. Ram Gada, a Jain Scholar conducts monthly Swadhyay /Jain Satsang meetings and gives lectures related to Jain philosophy and religion by taking random topic with Jain traditions/festivals in mind. Bhakti- Bhavna is a part of Swadhyay Jain Satsang meetings and includes Snatra Pooja, Panch Kalayanak Pooja, Stavans etc.
Jain Center of Greater Phoenix
Jain Center of New Jersey Pathshala: 60 students, ages 5-18, Swadhyay: 50 adults We have 4 age-based class levels. Curriculum is set up according to cach level with emphasis on knowledge and practice. It includes sutras, meanings, their application in samayik, introduction to Jain Agams and other scriptures. Besides classes, activities include Jain plays, dances, practice of darshan, chaitya vandan, samayik, chaitya paripati, community service, etc. The emphasis is on Jain Way of Life, which the students can apply throughout their life. In the future, some of the students will volunteer to teach or help in some other way. The center has a Swadhyay class for parents, which is held simultaneously, various topics are discussed. Regular Swadhyay has changed lives of many attendees as they have learned how to live more pious life.
Jain Center of North Carolina, Raleigh
Pathshala: 75 students, ages 2-16 There are 4 age-based classes, (one for adults) that meet weekly. A book compiled by Dr. Kirit Gosalia is used in the 3 children's classes. We use various teaching styles depending on the age of the participants. For example, for children aged 2-6 we use more playful activities/ drawings/story book/plays etc. For students aged 7 and above we use interactive style with examples and instructions along with written and verbal tests. For the class of age 14 and above we use teaching session, interactions, presentations, live examples through newspaper articles, debate session on Jainism topics e.g.' War in Iraq', 'How to survive being vegetarian when I go to college', site visits etc. We also have a Jain camp once a year where we study Jainism in a group setting through various fun activities, debate sessions, drama or play, hiking and essay competition. Even after graduation, and when away at college, former students regularly visit Pathshala and participate in other temple activities when visiting JCGP does not have a formal Swadhyay group. However there are several individuals who regularly conduct Swadhyay in a group format once a week. Several families conduct Swadhyay on their own on a daily basis. In addition, whenever we have any of the Acharya, Guruji or Religious figure visiting, we have regular morning, afternoon and evening Swadhyay session, Bhajan-Kirtan, and lectures followed by Q & A. Once a month (Sunday) we conduct Dev-Shastra Guru Puja and once a month (different Sunday) we conduct Snatra Puja at our temple followed by Bhakti & Pravachan. It would be helpful if JAINA can form a committee to benchmark Jain centers in North America (ar a minimum) to see 'best in class' centers for Pathshala and then share the knowledge and methods of teaching with other centers. I would be more than happy to serve on this team and assist.(Usha Shah - President of JCGP 480-235-6523)
Jain Society of Tampa Bay, Florida Pathshala: 13 students, ages 7-14; Swadhyay: 22 adults, ages 38-82. With few families and no Jain Temple in the area, weekly classes are held at homes of various host families. Keeping different
Pathshala: 15 students, ages 4-13, Swadhyay: 40 - 50 adults, ages 20-80 The Center uses books developed by JAINA and kids love the books. An interactive approach is used. Something unique we have tried is have the kids create a spreadsheet to stick on their refrigerator, with activities listed with the points. Examples of the activities are bowing down to parents (10), recite a minimum of 7 Namokar mantras (10), attending pathshala (50), visiting the temple (10), etc. This has been very effective. This center is lucky to have several Jain scholars who lead the Swadhyay. Topics and materials are selected by the speaker. Bhakti-Bhavna is incorporated into the Swadhyay by singing 5-7 stavans at the beginning. Social activities following the Swadhyay keep folks coming back.
Jain Education Intemational