Jain Spirit 1999 10 No 02

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 10

Global news
CALIFORNIA GETS A SPIRITUAL UPLIFT
NORTH AMERICA NEW JAIN COMPLEX IN SAN FRANCISCO
The Jain Center of Northern California (JCNC) has embarked on a project to build a temple and community centre (Jain Bhawan) in the city of Milpitas in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a 24,000 sq.ft. two-storey building on a 1.75-acre piece of land, and includes an exquisite temple and Bhakti Room catering to the needs of all Jain sects including Shewtambar, Digambar, Sthanakwasi, Terapanthi and the followers of Srimad Rajchandra in a single integrated 5.500 sq.ft. area. The
temple is on the second floor to provide complete sanctity and isolation from the multipurpose community area on the first floor. It has been designed with a major emphasis on the needs of the young generation who are the torchbearers of our tradition. In addition, there will be an Internet Centre which will broadcast live programmes and host world conferences. People will be able to visit the temple from anywhere in the world through their computer screens. The entire project is expected to cost five million dollars. Potential donors should contact: Dr. Parveen Jain, Chairman of the Board of Directors on 408-559-6987.
TEMPLE EXPANSION IN LOS ANGELES The Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) was established in 1979. It was the first custom-designed facility in North America to meet the religious, cultural and social needs of the Jain community. The doors of the Jain Bhavan opened in 1988 and today JCSC has grown to serve a local Jain population of approximately 800 families. JCSC has established a long and impressive list of accomplishments and become a showcase of collective spirit for Jains in Southern California. Over the years, the size of the local Jain community as well as their level of involvement in JCSC have both steadily increased, creating the necessity to expand JCSC facilities to match these growing needs.
The existing Jain Bhavan will be fully integrated with two adjoining properties into a multi-use Jain Bhavan complex, serving the needs of the local Jain community for at least the next 15 years. The existing Derasar will be renovated and expanded to accommodate more people during Pujas and other religious ceremonies. Properly-equipped classrooms will be made available to support Pathshala and Swadhyay activities. This will be located in the existing Post Office building which will be renovated for this purpose. Plans call for building a dining hall, an expanded kitchen and more restroom accommodations. Facilities for housing the JAINA National Library will also be included. The expanded library will house a collection of over 8,000 books, audio and video tapes, and CDs, establishing a very valuable resource for scholars and students of Jainism.
A brand new cultural complex will be located in a new building to be erected next to the existing Jain Bhavan facility. It will house a museum, a large meeting hall (8.000-10,000 sq. ft.) and an underground parking facility which may also be used as a play area for children or as a dining area. Additional parking will be available on a neighbourhood lot now owned by JCSC. A very exciting part of the renovation plan calls for the cultural complex to provide a new home for a priceless wooden replica of the famous Palitana Jain temple, popularly known as 'The Gateway to Luck'. This magnificent temple (20ft_20ft 35ft high), is intricately and exquisitely hand-carved of teakwood and weighs close to 14 tons. Considered by art critics and experts on oriental architecture as one of the truly outstanding works of Indian art in the world, the temple will be a prominent feature of the entry foyer and will be fully integrated with the adjoining museum.
October - December 1999 • Jain Spirit 9 For Private & Personal Use Only
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