Jain Spirit 2005 06 No22

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

Page 16

NEWS FEATURES
news features
Opposite: High hopes for the Jain Center of Buena Park under construction
TEMPLE PROFILE: JAIN CENTER OF BUENA PARK
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
itin Shah reports on the growth of one of the most successful Jain Centres and their ambitious plans to expand.
performance of a Pratikraman on every chaudas, all Jain events are celebrated and there are regular visitations by Jain dignitaries and scholars to direct major festivities and poojas and to offer religious discourses and yoga classes - for nearly 90 days per year. These are just a few of the activities taking place at Buena Park!
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The Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) is located in Buena Park, a suburb of Los Angeles. It was established in 1979 and has grown significantly since then. Its current membership includes over 700 families. The existing Jain Bhavan was inaugurated in July 1988, and it was the first custom-designed facility in the USA and Canada to address the religious, educational and cultural needs of the Jain community. This has been reflected in the astonishing range of activities at the JCSC, which include: bi-weekly Pathshala attended by over 360 children and youths, aged 5-18 years, Swadhyay and language classes for various ages. There is a
With a growing Jain community and an increased interest in religious and cultural activities, the JCSC realised that the existing Jain Bhavan would soon be inadequate. A vision to start a large-scale programme of expansion, from which it is hoped that the whole Jain community in North America will benefit, began in 1999.
The task of achieving this goal was formidable. Community meetings were convened to discuss and address the concerns, needs and aspirations of
Jain Edu
on International