eJain News Flash
JAINA eJain News Flash June 2010
June 15, 2010
WELCOME to the FIRST issue of the eJain NewsFlash!
We take immense pleasure in introducing "eJain NewsFlash", the new monthly electronic publication of eJain Digest. The eJain Digest was introduced last year to replace the print version of Jain Digest magazine. With the introduction of eJain NewsFlash, we intend to separate the news from the eJain digest articles. eJain NewsFlash will focus on a variety of news items and eJain Digest will publish articles related to Jainism and its principles. This change will allow eJain Digest editorial team to bring the news to you on a more frequent basis in a timely fashion. We hope that you find the items covered in this publication informative and helpful. We welcome your comments and suggestions to provide information that is relevant and useful to you. Please contact us at [email protected].
From the President
Following the successful launch of eJain Digest in the fall of 2009, I am pleased to bring you the first issue of eJain NewsFlash; a shorter version of the digest focusing on the news. Here are some of the JAINA events that I attended:
5th Annual Leadership conference at Siddhachalam
YJP activities: |
 Haiti Earthquake Victims: In the month of May a team of thirteen medical personnel and volunteers visited Haiti. It really was an experience of lifetime. Besides providing a much needed medical help, JAINA members donated 100 tents to homeless Haitians. We contributed over $30,000 towards tents plus 15,000 worth of medical supplies and equipments. The project was spearheaded by Dr. Sushil Jain with lots of help from Dr. Nitin Shah and Prakash Mehta. To read more details about the visit to Haiti, please read the "Mission to Haiti” article in this issue. |
Visit to various centers:
I had very informative and cordial town hall meetings at four Jain Centers in Florida. I received very warm welcome from the members of all four Jain Centers. We had a discussion on the mutual issues and talked about their role in JAINA. Deepika Dalal, Regional VP of South East and I visited Jain Center of South Florida, (Ft. Lauderdale), Jain Society of Central Florida, Inc.(Orlando), Jain Society of Tampa Bay and Jain Center of Ft. Myers. During my Los Angeles visit, I had the opportunity to meet Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Jain Center of Southern California. We talked about JAINA activities and the successful Pratishtha at their center.
Adhtyamic Seminar:
Four Days Adhyatmic Seminar was held, while celebrating Gurudev Shri Kanji Swami's 121st Janma Jayanti at Jain Center of Southern California, Los Angeles. It was accomplished with grand success. It was graced by scholars like Rajendra Kamdar and Ramesh Parekh.
Jain Milan:
A successful Jain Milan event was held in New Jersey.
I hope to get continued support for this forum with your contributions, views, opinions and experiences for the current and the next issue. I am excited about the next issue of eJain Digest, which will, focus on Jain sadhus and sadhvis. You will learn more about the next issue in the following pages. I personally love the brevity and timeliness of Flash and would be happy to get your feedback on it. Your encouragement and support helps the eJain Digest team to strive for excellence.
With Warmest Regards
Lata Champsee,
President
JAINA,
http://www.jaina.org
Upcoming Events
Ashtapad Pratishtha
First of its kind in North America and probably in the world, Ashtapad Pratishtha Mahotsav ceremonies will be held in Mid June 2010 at the Derasar in Queens, NY. Jain Centre of New York has created a replica of Shri Ashtäpad Tirth at the temple. Ashtapad Mountain is made up of crystal, weighing approx. 7.5 tons and all idols are made from various colored gemstones. Be a part of this historic event. For details, visit www.nyjaincenter.org/about-ashtapad.aspx
Pratishtha at Boston
Jain Center of Greater Boston, one of the first Jain Centers and temple, has purchased a large facility in Norwood and will be moving its temple there. The Pratishtha ceremony is being planned on June 26-27, 2010. Visit www.jcgb.org for more details.
Pratishtha at Cleveland
JAIN Society of Greater Cleveland is planning a grand Pratishtha Mahotsav of their new Temple from Friday, July 2 to Tuesday. July 6, 2010. Visit www.jsgc.org for more details.
YJA Convention
July 4th Weekend, 2010 in NJ - Preparations are in full swing and all Jain Centers are being urged to help the young generation to enable them to retain our Jain Heritage. Visit http://youngjainsofamerica.org/2010convention.
YJP activities
- In the spirit of JAINA’s greater efforts to increase Jain awareness and build inter-faith partnerships, YJP is involved in the campaign for "vegetarian meals across school cafeterias”.
- The YJP convention was held from June 4-7 2010 on Bahamas Cruise.
- There are other YJP fun events being planned, including an open mike in Washington, DC as well as dinner events in Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Toronto
Jain Center of Northern California - 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Jain Bhawan
August 5 to 8, 2010 - Preparations to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the JAIN BHAWAN are in full swing. The theme of this celebration is Non-Violence, Peace & Harmony. Events being planned include eclectic speakers to address current issues, an inter-faith panel discussion with representatives from all the major religions, various cultural programs highlighted by a major dance program and Jain prayer ceremonies. Visit www.jcnc.org for more details.
Conference in Ottawa, Canada on August 27, 2010
Seminars on Social Consciousness and approaches in Jain religion
ISJS, in association with leading universities of India and Canada, is pleased to announce organizing an international seminar on ‘Social consciousness and approaches in Jain religion. This seminar will be held in Ottawa, Canada on August 27, 2010.
Conference in Pomona, California on November 12 to 14, 2010
International Conference on nonviolence - Ahimsa and Sustainability
Ahimsa Center at Cal Poly Pomona will address the theme of sustainability in its fourth international conference on nonviolence. The conference will feature wide-ranging scholarships and experiences to illuminate the relationship between ahimsa (nonviolence) and sustainability from multiple perspectives. For more information visit www.csupomona.edu/ahimsacenter
News from Jain Centers
Jain Center of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Jain Center of British Columbia, Vancouver, with its friends and family celebrated the 2609 Birthday of Lord Mahavir Swami at Burnaby's Vedic Hindu Temple on April 4, 2010. The event began with Janma Kalyanak pooja performed by Anand Jain and Gyanchand Singhai. Parnu and other Stavans and Bhajans were sung by members of community. Pathshala teachers, Bharti and Amita prepared a cultural and religious program in which students participated in from different age groups. School aged children, Rajan and Aditya presented a skit. Namokar mantra yoga, Jain shakti and other dances were also performed. Bhavarlal Purohit, Acharya Dwivedi, Dr. Das, and Anand Jain spoke on the teachings of Mahavira. Pandit Sharadbhai blessed the Members. Mrs. Hira Shah organized the program and thanked all the volunteers who helped in preparation of food and organizing the event. About 600 people attended the celebration.
Jain Center of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Panchanihka Mahotsav - May 2010
JCSC celebrated the Panchanihka Mahotsav with great enthusiasm and devotion during the month of May 2010. The event started with Jawahara Ropan vidhi on May 9, 2010 and was followed by 5 day event from May 13 - 17, 2010.
The event comprised of the following 4 major occasions:
First Anniversary of Mulnayak AnjanShalaka Mahavir Bhagwan Pratishtha done in 2009
Pratishtha of 2nd Anjanshalaka Mahavirswami and Digambar Shantinath Bhagwan in Garbhagriha
Varsitap Parna
Dhwaj Ceremony
Other important events conducted during the Mahotsav included the following:
Pratishtha (installation) of Adinath Pagla
Chaumukhi Pratimajis in the Samvosaran Temple symbolizing sermons by Lord Mahavir;
Place portraits of Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharyaji & Acharang Sutra and Pujya Bhadrabahu Swami & Kalpa Sutra in Aradhana Hall.
Place Mangal Murtis in the Bhamati Area;
Change all the Dhwajas in the Temple
Place "Darshniya Panch Dhatu Chaumukhi Pratimajis" in wooden temple.
In addition to the main events, the 5 day event included Bhakti Bhavna, Jain Raas Garba, Cultural Program along with Daily Snatra Puja, Mahavirswami Pujan, Navgrah, Das Dikpal & Ashtmangal Patla Pujan, Adhar Abhishek of all Bhagwans and Ashtaprakari Puja and Sattarbhedi Puja.
The Mahotsav was a culmination of a dream of building one of the most beautiful Jinalay outside India. This event formally completed the Phase 2 building plan for the temple and Aradhana Hall.
Dignitary Visit at JCSC during 2010
Vidhikar Kayvan Nandu, Shri Kiritbhai Gosalia (for Panchanihka Mahotsav May 13-17)
Shri Rajendrabhai Kamdar, Shri Rameshbhai Parekh (Kanjiswami 121st Jayanti shibir May 28 - 30)
Bhaishree Nalinbhai Kothari (Mokshmarg Shibir June 4-6)
Dr. Humkumchand Bharill (Satsang June 11 - 18)
Panditji Dhirajlal Mehta (Satsang June 20–26)
Acharyaji Chandanaji (Satsang June 27)
Dr. Rakeshbhai Jhaveri (Satsang Shibir July 16-18)
Shri Hiteshbhai Shah, Shri Anupambhai Shah, Kusumben Dangi (for Paryushan 2010)
JAINA wants to hear from you
Survey of Young Jains of America. Ages 18-35
Young Jains of America, please take 5 minutes to fill-out this survey. It will give us a glimpse into the lifestyle of young Jains in America and help us study the future of Jainism in the U.S. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Note that this survey is ANONYMOUS and you will not be identified in the results.Visit: http://www.jaina.org/surveys/default.asp?id=Lifestyle_YoungJains