Jain Society Houston TX 1995 11 Pratistha

Author(s): Jain Society Houston TX
Publisher: USA Jain Society Houston TX

Page 60

Celebrating Jain Society of Houston Pratishtha Mahotsav 1995
JAIN SOCIETY HISTORY Jains in Houston...the beginning...
No one really knows when a first Jain arrived in Houston. However, the significant inflow of Jains in Houston occurred in early 70's. It was during this time that the booming oil industry in Houston welcomed a lot of young Indian engineers. During the early influx period, the Jains quickly felt a need to satisfy spiritual fulfillment for themselves and to provide religious heritage to their offspring. A few young Jains started meeting at each others' houses to chant religious songs and do samvatsari pratikraman. The meetings were irregular, however.
During all these years the society was renting different places to met. This rented places were not big enough for our needs. Often classes were taken in aisles. Often during dignitaries' lectures in Houston, the gathering to hear the sermons were so large that there was hardly any standing room. Everyone realized a need for a bigger and permanent place. A tidy sum of money was needed and the community accepted the challenge. The result of the hard work of many resulted in the purchase of the present JAIN Center on Arc Street.
During the following year, the Society's activities kept growing. A notable sadhu/sadhvi or scholar was invited from India for every Paryushan Numerous guests were invited to give sermon every year.
The first Samvatsari Pratikaman was performed in 1974 at Ramesh and Rashmi Shah's house. The first milestone occurred in January 1981 when the first monthly Bhavna was held at Krishna Gosavi's house. He started a tradition of meeting once every month, an unbroken tradition the Jain Society has continued until today. Several visits by Acharya Sushilkumarji during this time encouraged Jains to organize themselves into what is today the Jain Society of Houston. The Jain Society of Houston (JSH) was chartered in 1982.
The list of Tapasvis was growing. There were more and more Athais(fasting for 8 days) every year. Fasting for sixteen days by Ms. Neepa Sanghani and Ms. Zarana Sanghani, two youngsters, provided encouragement to many. A month fasting (mas khaman) by Mrs. Ansuyaben Mehta was the enlightment for the community. Varsitap, a year long penance, was done by many adults as well as young adults.
A Jain library was initiated by Mrs Pallavi Mehta, Mrs. Rashmi Shah, Mrs. Mala Shah, and Nilesh Meisheri. The library started with a modest collection of books is now a full scale library with 88 videos, 850 audio cassettes and 900 books.
The members were meeting regularly every month. Many members, notably Ashok and Ujjawala Singhavi, Suresh Sutaria, Prabodh Mehta and Pradeep Shah felt a need for some program for younger generation. Their persistence resulted in the beginning of Jain Pathshala in May 1986. The first class was taught by Shri A.L. Mehta and a tradition of meeting and learning religion every Sunday started, has continued and still flourishing today. Only about eight young children and their parents attended the first class. It was customary for parents to sit in the class with their children and many learned the basics of religion with them. Soon adults felt a need for a separate class for them. Three more classes were added to the pathshala to meet the needs of the different age groups better. Shankheshar Parshvanath Pooja Mandal was formed in 1984.
Leaders of the community felt a strong need for an expansion. The center was too small for the society's activities. Again the members donated with open hand (and check books). The result of the hard work of the leaders, the unsung heroes of the community, is what we all are seeing now. The Jain community is finally seeing the fulfillment of their long time desire, a temple and the pratistha.
During 1988, a few young adults of the Jain community under the leadership of Sandhya Sanghani and Kalpesh Shah founded the 'Jain Fellowship Group' to better meet the need of young Jains.
"There is no limit to the amount of good a man can do if he doesn't care who gety the credit"
(Author Unknown)
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