Indo American News
By Seema Jain
HOUSTON: JVB Preksha Meditation Center hosted 8th Annual Paryushan festival at its premises under the auspicious guidance of Samani Kanchan Pragyaji & Samani Pranav Pragyaji (Disciples of Acharya Shri Mahashraman). The 8-day long festivities began on August 19 and concluded on August 26th. Paryushan is the most important festival among the Jain festivals; and it is observed during every Chaturmas in the month of Bhadrapad (August - September). For Jains, the real purpose of celebrating this festival is to purify our soul by staying closer to our own soul, to look at our faults and to ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have committed during the past year.
Guided by Samanijis, the entire JVB community became spellbound in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, felicity and Tapasya for 8 consecutive days by practicing spiritual parameters such as Swadhayay, Samayik Sadhana, Maun Sadhana, and Dharam Sadhana. Agama discourses on holy ancient scriptures called “Antakritadasao Sutra” by Samani Pranav Pargyaji and evening discourses on the detailed meaning of “Sadhana- Adyatmik Arohan Ki” along with Pratikraman for young and old were the daily morning and evening rituals of this auspicious week.
A fun Jeopardy style Jain God Contest was conducted by Samani Kanchan Pragyaji to motivate its members to learn about the Jain Dharma. A special spiritual Samayik practice called “Abhinav Samayik ka Prayog” was followed by all the attendees by sitting in a Swastika setting for 48 minutes. Some of the interesting topics of evening discourses by Kanchan Pragyaji were “Mastishk ka Rasayan- Swadhyay, Power of Paryushan, Tere Bol Bade Anmol, Mantra ek Samadhan, How to achieve peace of mind.” Samani Pranav Pragyaji encouraged young kids ages 4yrs and above to follow a spiritual routine for 8 days in her presentation about 8 days of Paryushan & its Significance. Kids Jain Jeopardy was also an interesting, fun & learning activity for all the kids during this special week. Parallel sessions for kids Pratikraman were also conducted in English.
JVB, Chairman Shri Swatantra Jain, Piyush Gosalia, Manasi Sapani and many others kept the tapasya chain going till the end of Paryushan Festival by observing Tela (3 continuous days fasting), Bela (2 continuous days fasting), Upwas (one day fasting) and Paushad. Young Gyanshala kids Siddhi Jain (7yrs.), Tanvi Jain (9yrs.) Neel Jain (9 yrs.) and Saachi Jain (11 yrs.) did tapasya in the form of Biyasana (eating twice a day), Ekasana (eating one time a day) and Upwaas. JVB Gyanshala senior group girls, Manya Jain (14 yrs.) and Anshumi Jhaveri (13yrs.) amazed everyone with their tapasya bhav by observing two days of continuous fasting without any food.
In Closing, JVB President, Seema Jain recognized all the Tapasvees for their immense belief and devotion during this festival amid the fear of Hurricane Harvey and heavy rains. She appreciated her EC team for their efforts on the successful completion of the event. 9 days of continuous fasting with no food (Navai) by one of the Gyanshala parent, Sachin Jain and 8 days of continuous fasting with no food (Athai) by Renu Shah were the milestones of this spiritual festival.
We are proud of our center, its beautiful surroundings, a unique pyramid shape meditation hall, and a very peaceful ambiance. It is located at 14102 Schiller Rd, Houston, TX 77082. On the first, 2nd & third Sunday of each month there is pravachan & meditation by Samani Ji. The theme of the pravachans this year so far has been: Transform Yourself. Our center is open to all irrespective of their religious beliefs.
Upcoming events include Kshamapana Divas & Bikshu Jaap on Sep. 10th from 10-12pm and JVB’s Annual Day Cultural Celebration on Oct. 7th from 6-9pm and Annual Day Adhar Abhishek Pooja on Oct.8th from 8:00am onwards.
For further details, visit www.JVBHouston.org or call JVB Center @ 281-596-9642 or Seema Jain @ 281-575-0575.