Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 22

Samvatsari Pratikraman
Since 1988 the annual rite of Samvatsari pratikraman is performed by our Center. We do separate adult and children samvatsari pratikraman. The adult pratikraman is done traditionally and it lasts for about 3 hours.
The Pratikraman for children was compiled in English in 1989. This non-traditional one-hour long pratikraman performed by Youths includes transliteration of some original sutras, and their meanings along with meditation and kayotsarg rites.
Essay Competition
For many years, the young children of our center participated in the national essay competition organized by the Jain Center of Boston. Every year, our children have won 35% to 50% of the awards given at national level. Many of these award-winning essays are available on our Internet site. Please refer to the chart on page 33 depicting Essay Competition Standings.
33 de award. Children the natio
Humanitarian Activities
clothes. We haveer relief programs, and not keep any
The Center has supported several relief (Jiva Daya) activities in India, USA, and around the world by donating money, food, and clothes. We have supported several Panjarapoles and Institutions, the Eye Campaign, local and national disaster relief programs, and used clothing drives. Every year, we collect and distribute $1000-2000. The Center does not keep any percentage of the collected amount. Please refer to the chart on page 23 depicting key humanitarian projects conducted by the center.
Ahimsa Day
Since 1992, the Center has observed the first Sunday of October as Ahimsa day. For several years, we distributed food and clothing to the needy and homeless people in our area on this day.
Jain Camp
The Center has organized several religious Camps for the benefit of adults and children. The participants spend a weekend at Umstead State Park or just a day at Optimist Farm. The camp activities include Yoga, meditation, religious discourses, and recreation. The first camp was organized in 1982 with Acharya Shri Shushil Muni. Since then, we have had camps with several monks and scholars like Amerendra Muni, Rupachandji, Manekmuni, Prof. Toliya, Pandit Shri Dhirajlal Mehta, and Shri Atmanandji (Dr. Soneji).
National Jain Conventions
The Jain Center has actively participated in all national JAINA conventions beginning in 1989. Please refer to the chart on page 34 depicting convention activities.
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Jain Education Intemational
Education Intermational