Peace Of Mind 2012.12
Swami Shrutpragya Newsletter 2012-12
Jain Center of Greater Memphis
Jain Center of Greater Memphis is very grateful to have Swami Shrutpragyaji from Oct. 31st 2012 to Nov. 5th 2012. Every year the people of Memphis and surrounding area await Swamiji's visit eagerly. Swamiji. as usual makes the spiritual learning and understanding very easy. His lectures are very knowledgeable and he leaves the audience with lot to think later.
This time the Jain Center had 3 lectures and 2-half day camp where many Jains and non-Jains attended. The attendee sent many comments after the camp, such as: "Swamiji is such a great orator and his talks are to the level where everyone can understand and put to practice."
We are very blessed to have such great scholars and orators in our lives especially in the time where there are so much personal and professional day to day problems exist.
He was picked up by Vinay Mehta. He was hosted by Chanchala and Vinay Mehta. All Program arranged by them.
At the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago. Barlett. IL. the Chicago Jain Sangh (JSMC) was pleased to arrange a series of lectures based on the Uttradhyaan Sutra. It took place from November 5th to November 11th. 2012 and was arranged by the president Tejas Shah and his team. The lecture described "Shree Mahavir Swami Antim Deshna' and was conducted by Swami Shrutpragyaji. He was well received by all ages of Jains.
News from San Diego
Swamiji arrived in San Diego on Tuesday. 11/22/12. He was picked up by Vinaybhai. He stayed one night at Vinaybhai's place and was hosted by Kishorbhai & Daniiniben's house for the other 2 nights. Swamiji also gave Dharm-labh to Renuka and Nipul & Ajay and Sangita and Rekhaben Savla gave him a ride to the Airport for San Francisco.
Previously, Jain Sangh of San Diego (JSSD) used to have Swamiji's lectures at Shri Mandir. it's a mixed use Hiudu Jain Temple, where people would also come to pray and ring bells whilst the lecture is going on. JSSD now has its own premises. Now we were able to have his lectures in total peace. It made a great difference for both the listeners and Swamiji. Swamiji"s Program.
Shri Shrutpragyaji Swami now referred to as Swamiji's program consisted of lectures from Tuesday (11/22/2012) to Thursday (11/24/2012) evening from 8:00pm till 10:00pm. The topic for the series was Mahivir Bhagvan's last discourse. With such a short time only 3 chapters of the 36 were going to be covered.
The lectures started almost on time. It started with Navkar mantra followed by silence. That is very effective way to start. It makes you forget all other things that are on your mind and concen¬trate on the lecture itself.
The first chapter was on "Vinay". Mahavir Bhagwan devoted the whole first chapter on "Vinay". Swamiji very nicely put it that never mind how much religious activities you do or how much knowledge you have on Jainism. it is all useless if you do not have Vinamrata.
The second chapter from Mahivir Bhagwan's last sermon. It is disguised as 22 'Parishaha’ that monks should follow. But a lot of those rules also apply to our day to day lives. It covers almost everything that a monk has to follow.
Today's lecture was on "How to prepare to die with dignity", the fifth chapter from Mahavir Bhagwan’s last sermon. The Bhagwan's lecture was about deciding what will come with you when you die. One has to realize what's important and give some time for that activity. To have prepara¬tions of how you would like to be treated near and after death is a very important topic, especially for people living in United States. The preparation has to start right now. There is also a website "aging with dignity" that is devoted to this subject. DO it NOW.
On a personal note: I had never heard much on this topic despite having so many scholars visiting us annually. As per Swamiji’s approach on these matters, it was very practical and applied to today's circumstances, at the same time not forgetting that is was Mahavir Bhagwan's message. I would love to hear more chapters.
Jain Society of Northern California
Shri Shrutpragyaji was picked up by Ramnik bhai and Rasilaben. He stayed at Avni and Mukesh's house and was hosted by Sarika and Amit Parikh's house & Kaishal and Dipti Shah's house for the other 2 nights. Avni and Mukesh Shah gave him a ride to the Airport for Tulsa, OK.
The Jain Center of Northern California was very fortunate to gain valuable knowledge from Swami Shrutpragyaji during his visit here from November 16 through November 22, 2012. During this time, Swamiji gave discourses on the four Bhavanas, Diwali Prakash ka Parava, and the significance of Gyan Panchami. He also conducted Preksha Dhyan classes and participated in children's pathshala.
Swamiji started his discourses with Maitri Bhavana. The key message was to maintain Maitri with all living beings and not to forget the favors other have done or your own wrong doings. He also explained the difference between Maitri (unconditional love without any expectations) and Mitrata (relationships with expectations). He also covered Pramodbhav, Karunabhav and Madhyasth bhav.
On Saturday and Sunday, The morning session started with Preksha Dhyan class under the guidance of Swamiji. Participants took part in exercises, asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Swamiji had conducted Preksha Dhyan classes all the way back in 1992 and the bay area group has continued these classes every Sunday at the Jain temple.
Diwali parva was celebrated by the Jain center on this day with pooja, pravachan, cultural program, and swami vatsalya. Swamiji gave a pravachan on "Diwali Praksh ka Parva" with the key message of how to enlighten our lives.
Swamiji also gave one discourse on on "Gyan Panchami ka Mahatva". The lecture was focused on the importance of Sma-yak Gyan. After the lecture, Swamiji motivated the pathshala children to gain the right knowledge and live with good conduct.
At the conclusion of the lectures, the floor was opened to questions from the participants and the program concluded with lunch. Swamiji left the bay area on the morning of November 24, 2012 and flew to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
