Jain Digest 2009 03 Vol 28 No 1

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

Page 21

Jain Texts to Detroit Temple Library At our Diwali celebration on October 26, the Society received a donation of 52 rare books from the extensive collection of Professor Madhav Deshpande, a world-renowned faculty member and Sanskrit author at the University of Michigan Center for South-Asian Studies. The books received include several which are out of print, over 70-80 year old original English translations of important Jain scriptures, such as The Tattvartha Sutra of Umaswami with the Sukbabodba of Sri Bhaskaranandi, The Sastravartasamuccaya of Acharya Haribhadrasuri, and Vacaka Sri Jinmanikayagani's Ratnakaravatarikadyaslokasatartbi.
Detroit Jain Temple and Society Members Figure Prominently in TV Documentary An hour-long film titled "Our India Story" was shown all over South East Michigan by ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV-7 on December 20th, 2008. It was a documentary about the contributions of the 75,000 strong Indian community in greater Detroit, and the producers devoted nearly a quarter hour showing the Detroit Jain Temple while describing Jain Way of Life, including Jain youth performing Snatra Puja at 2008 Paryushan Swapna Day, and members chanting Navkar Mantra in observance of Thanksgiving Day. Respectfully submitted by JAINA Director, Manish Mehta, Ph.D. (734) 604-7989
us at Detroit temple and made the Yatra a combined memorable event. From Detroit we went to Toledo Hindu-Jain Temple, where we did bhavana, arati and managal divo. We are highly appreciative of Rev. Acharyashri Mahapragyaji for accepting our invitation for Parvushan Parva and Samaniji Mangalprajna and Samaniji Rituprgna traveled all the way from India to celebrate Parvushan Parva at Jain center of Cincinnati-Dayton. They kept all of us quite busy, old, adult, youth and children with different religious activities e.g.Samayik, Pratikraman, yoga, chanting of Bhaktamar strotra and lectures (even for youth and children in English). We conducted Daslaxna Puja. The center also did all the tapasvi bahuman on the same day. We held 9/11, 24 hrs Akhand Namokar mantra jap in the memories of 9/11 disaster. The Akkhand Namokar Mantra Jap created pleasant, positive and powerful vibrations and left us with wonderful feelings. Chanting in front of Bhagvan Mahavir, Bhagvan Adinath a Bhagvan Parsvanath, especially from eleven p.m. to early morning was a unique experience and unable to express in words. In October we celebrated Ahimsa day and Diwali program. For Ahimsa Day our center invited Samani, Akshya Prajna, Samani, Vinay Pragyaji. It was a two day program and each day we had Yoga/Meditation and lecuture in Hindi and English especially for Youth. Diwali program started with the general body meeting where we thanked the old executive committee and welcomed the new executive committee for the next year. For the Diwali celebration center invited Raj Pandya and group for a musical night program. Every body enjoyed the program. On the day of Diwali we held Bhavana at the temple. Narendra Nandu and Group conducted Bhaktamar Poojan in December.
***
The Jain Center of Greater St. Louis
IS
Jain Center of Cincinnati - Dayton, Year in Review Jain Center of Cincinnati Dayton celebrated the Mahavir Jayanti Program in April with Pravinbhai Shah (Director Jaina Education) who provided two days of educational lecture series. In May our centre was visited by The Pittsburgh Jain Sangh during their three days yatra. We all prayed together, shared Puja Bhavna, Namokar Mantra Jaap, Arti and Divo. In June we invited Swami Shrut Pragyaji for three days Yoga/ Meditation/lecture program which was very educative as well as motivating. Yoga and Meditation sessions were packed and Swamiji wonderfully stressed the importance of strong body, healthy heart and sound mind. Question Answer session brought out our own stars sparkling with their originality. In July our center did Sangh Yatra to Detroit and Toledo Temple - a memorable event. Cleveland Sangh joined
The jain Center of Greater St. Louis was honored to have Shree Girishbhai Shah for Paryushan Parva 2008. Many people enthusiastically assembled to listen to him. Merit scholarships were given to the Pathsala students. The Pathsala students presented outstandingly Karma theory and Samyag Darshan, Shaileshbhai Shah has been elected as President for 2009. Hemalbhai Sanghvi has received deep affection and respect for serving as President from 2006 thru 2008. Children Pathsala, Adult Pathsala, Jnan Pujan, Puja, and Bhakti Bhavana are key activities performed regularly.
***
Jain Digest Winter 2009
19