Jain Digest 2007 11 2

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

Page 22

NEWS & EVENTS
Jain Digest-Winter 2007
effective way of interfaith dialogue and a true example of an open mind. He thanked the members of the MCWRET for actively participating in the 2007 JAINA Convention by writing an article for the Convention Journal and by providing two representa tives on the panel of "Women in Religion". He also thanked International Jain Sangh for participating every year in this program along with other religions. Dilipbhai also discussed the progress on a project the Jains were working with Monmouth Center on an effort to establish Ahimsa Center in Monmouth University. He said that JAINA will continue to support any effort for Ahimsa and make our bonds stronger with the Monmouth Center. The JAINA President later joined a reception, visited the statue and discussed the need to promote nonviolence with MCWRET members.
Jain Society of Greater Cleveland celebrates Bhoomi Poojan
The Jain Society of Greater Cleveland festively celebrated the Bhoomi Poojan and Khanan Vidhi ceremonies on October 20-21, 2007 as the first steps toward building a Jain Center/Temple Complex in Richfield, OH a suburb of Cleveland, OH. The entire ceremony was performed at the Jain Center site according to the Jain Scriptures by well known Vidhikar Shri Naresh Shah of Long Island New York. On each of the two days 200-250 members representing the entire Jain community in the Greater Cleveland area participated and enthusiastically supported this auspicious occasion.
The ceremonies included Snatra Pooja, Navgrah Pooja, Das Dikpal Pooja, Ashta Mangal Pooja, Aarti, Shanti Kalash, Bhoomi Shuddhi and Khanan Vidhi. Shri Naresh Shah kept the audience fully involved in the program with his explanations of all the poojas and vidhis as they were performed. Jinendra Bhakti and a
Education International
cultural program involving children and adults from our own community were a tremendous success. We were also fortunate to have Shri Chandrakant Mehta from New Jersey, a noted Jain scholar and lecturer, join us for the occasion. His insightful and inspirational lectures were a highlight of the celebration.
The planned center will have a Shikharbandhi Temple, a hall for community gatherings and space for a library and classrooms. The total area will be 9600 sq ft. The next steps are a Shilanyas program in spring 2008 followed by construction of the complex and
a Pratishtha Mahotsav in fall 2008 or spring 2009. We invite the entire Jain community in the USA and abroad to participate in this auspicious endeavor by contributing and participating in our celebrations. For more information, please contact Kushal Baid (440) 357 -6148 or Ashwin Turakhia (440) 526-5807.
Jain Center of Greater Phoenix SHILANYAS Ceremony
On October 26-28 2007, The first slab of marble has been laid in what the Jain Center of Greater Phoenix community believes can become America's grandest Jain temple when it is dedicated in December 2008, with some 3,000 Jains from all over the world expected.
Through a majestic arch of pink sandstone, followers will pass into a spacious temple with floors of white marble, featuring statues of the 24 Tirthankars, surround 51" Main idols Adinath and Mahavir. The south Phoenix site will become the center for area Jain prayer, meditation and other activities.
Capping three days of festive celebrations on Sunday, members of the approximately 150 Jain families in the Valley as well as about 250 people from all over the North America dressed in their finest and most brilliant and colorful clothing from India to witness the historic "Shilanyas," or foundation stone ceremony. It included the burying of a time capsule and rites led by religious leaders from India.
In rhythmic rituals, energetic chanting, dancing, feasting and ancient traditions, the Jains took the sacred first step in development of their 12,000-square-foot "Derasar," The ornate $3.5 million Derasar is being built on four acres, at 6202 S. 23rd Ave., just south of Southern Avenue,