Jain Digest 2009 03 Vol 28 No 1

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

Page 19

Regional News
Those, whose birthdays fall in the month concerned, are felicitated with birthday cards, cake cutting and happy birthday greetings. The center conducted a tour to Galena in September and Chaitya Paripäti covering Milwaukee in October. Since last year the education classes are held on first and third Sundays of every month. The attendance ranges from 250 to 300.
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Jain Society of Greater Detroit, Inc.
29278 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4108, (248) 851-JAIN (5246) December 31, 2008 2008 was a banner year for Jain Society of Greater Detroit. The following are just a few highlights of the many happenings involving our temple and its members.
MIDWEST Report for Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago Paryushan Parva was celebrated from August 27 to September 3 and Dashlaxana Parva from September 4 to 14. During Paryushan days discourses of Tejmuni were arranged, which were attended by large number of people. Over 2,500 people attended the celebration of Mahavir Janma Vanchan on Sunday, August 31 when Janma Vancban ceremony was performed in a colorful way with descending of Dev Viman as a part of displaying 14 dreams of Trishalädevi. The entire center was beautifully decorated during the Parva days. JSMC members zealously participated in various religious rituals and cultural programs, which were organized during the Parva. Programs like Sarvatobbadra Poojan, Aribant Vandanavali, Bhaktamar Stotra Pathan, and Navakar Rang Jäp were attended by about 2,000 people. During the weekend a record breaking fund raising drive was conducted that generated more than $2.2 million in donations and interest-free loans. Within less than an hour more than 175 member families declared their financial support by donating for the construction and expansion project, As usual various types of austerities were observed during Paryushan Parva. 16-year-young Eva Mehta of Evanston celebrated her sweet sixteen with 34 days of fasting. There were more than 40 Atthäis (Fasting on all the eight days), two persons observed Maun Atthai (Fasting while remaining silent) and one person observed Chauvihar Atthäi (Did not take even water for the eight days). All observers of austerities were felicitated on the occasion of Tapaswi Bahumän. Annual General Body meeting of JSMC was held on November 16 when the accounts for the year 2007 and construction report were placed before the members and the same were approved. The meeting was informed that the temple reconstruction work was expected to be completed during the 2nd quarter of 2009 and a 10-day celebration of installation ceremony would be organized from June 19 to June 29. The new JSMC directory was also released that time. It covers the information about JSMC, alphabetical list of life members, Index search and certain relevant statistics. This 114 page unique publication is dedicated to the members of the society. On the occasion of Ashwin Oli arrangements were made for observing Ayambils on October 11 and 12. About 200 persons took advantage thereof. From January Mahavir Senior Center has started celebrating the birthdays of its members every month.
Jain Youth Featured at Detroit Interfaith Event Jain Society of Greater Detroit participated in the World Sabbath of Religious Reconciliation in January 2008. This event is held annually as an interfaith holy day dedicated to making peace among the religions from nations of the world. The goal is to teach the diverse population that building the community of justice, equality, and peace is a responsibility we all share. It was a wonderful celebration with spiritual presence from several faiths who presented their prayers and musical offerings. The event included Children of Peace from faiths like Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Baha'i, Sikh, Jain, Native Americans and Zoroastrian who decorated the Peace Banners and walked in a procession. Twenty-one children from Detroit Jain Society participated both, as the Children
Detroit Jain youth dressed in colorful costumes, perform "Jivan Anjali Thajo" to promote interfaith understanding and harmony in January 2008
Jain Digest Winter 2009 Jain Education Intemational
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