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| Samani Jin Pragya | Samani Kshanti Pragya |
Wow! What a great celebratory program! Jain Vishwa Bharati, Orlando innovatively conducted a two-day online celebration of Varshitap Parnas and the beginning of its 25th year on April 25 & 26, 2020, commemorating the occasion of Akshay Tritya. Due to the unexpected worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing had to be maintained and this led to moving the celebrations to the online medium. The entire program was conducted with the blessings of Acharyashri Mahashramanji and guidance of Adarniya Samani Jin Pragyaji and Samani Kshanti Pragyaji.
This year it was the good fortune of the Orlando Sangh to host the Varshitap Parnas of our birajmaan Samanijis – Samani Jin Pragyaji & Samani Kshanti Pragyaji as well 7 shravaks and shravikas – Dr. Devendra Mehta, Mr. Narendra Mehta, Mr. Viral Doshi, Dr. Naina Mehta, Mrs. Siddhi Talati, Mrs. Grishma Ajmera & Mrs. Kirandevi Barmecha. This count included a shravika from Pennsylvania and one from Kansas. A Sanjhi was held on Saturday, April 25. The musical event was well-conducted by Mr. Mehul Shah who coordinated the participants. Songs were sung by the JVB ladies, Tapasvis, and family members from all over the world. The highlight of the Sanjhi was the presence of Adarniya Samani Pratibha Pragyaji and Samani Swarn Pragyaji who had logged in from London to do a ‘Bhaav Yatra’. In her message for the Orlando Sangh, Samani Pratibha Pragyaji said that ‘All 4 wheels are active’ indicating the Tap done by the two Samanijis as well as the shravaks and sharavikas. Samani Kshanti Pragyaji mentioned that it was her childhood dream of doing a Vashitap and it was fulfilled after 10 years of diksha. She was happy that she was able to do Atma Nirjhara during the 100th birth celebratory year of her ‘Dikshadata’ – Acharya Mahapragyaji. Samani Jin Pragyaji informed everyone that it was her 2nd Varshitap and that the real Varshitap began now. She urged everyone to keep a check on their Avesh, Ahankar Ratio, Maya & Lobh for the next year. She also preached that it is best to ‘change myself’ as it isn’t possible to change others. Samaniji also commended the shravaks and shravikas on their Varshitap as it is not easy for the laypeople to have control & do nirjhara while being exposed to the worldly amenities.
The program held on Sunday, April 26 marked the beginning of the 25th year of JVB Orlando as well the Tapasvi Parnas. It was a huge honor for the entire Sangh as we were graced by the presence and blessings of Adarniya Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji & Samani Him Pragyaji from Miami, Samani Pratibha Pragyaji & Samani Swarn Pragyaji from London, Samani Sanmati Pragyaji & Samani Jayant Pragyaji from Raleigh, Samani Malay Pragyaji & Samani Neeti Pragyaji from New Jersey, Samani Punya Pragyaji & Samani Jigyasa Pragyaji from Houston as well as our birajmaan Samani Jin Pragyaji & Samani Kshanti Pragyaji. Only the fortunate get to be at the receiving end of such a great blessing. After the Manglacharan and a welcome speech by JVB Chairman Mr. Devang Chitalia, the past chairman Mr. Kamlesh Shah narrated the journey of the Orlando center from its origin till the present. This center was formed largely as a result of Adarniya Samani Madhur Pragyaji’s foresight and Kamleshbhai’s perseverance. Many thanks also go out to Dr. & Mrs. Nagda and Mr. Arvind Nandu for their support. As Samani Jin Pragyaji mentioned in her speech, Acharya Tulsi’s abstract thinking and broad thoughts created a new order of Shramanshreni. This is the only reason why there are 5 JVB centers worldwide.
Through their respective speeches and songs, all the Samanijis mentioned the importance of Akshay Tritya, praised the Samanijis and other tapasvis for their achievement, and congratulated the Orlando Sangh. Samani Punya Pragyaji said that although the Orlando group is small, it is a model group. According to Samani Pratibha Pragyaji, the Orlando center shapes the life, personality, & activity of human endeavor. Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji said that many have benefitted from the annual camps held by the model JVB, Orlando center. The other centers were started on the ‘blueprint’ of JVB, Orlando. She wishes that in the future other young people get ready to spread Jainism long time. Samani Him Pragyaji presented a poem on Tap and Foundation Day. Samani Sanmati Pragyaji preached that we should follow Bhagwan Rishabh’s example. He lived his life and later also fulfilled responsibilities towards his own self. As per Samani Malay Pragyaji, JVB, Orlando seems to be in the process of doing Apoorvakaran. Samani Neeti Pragyaji presented 9 ways to make our life beautiful and better. Samani Jigyasa Pragyaji and Samani Jayant Pragyaji blessed the Tapasvi’s and congratulated the Orlando Center. Niyojikaji Samani Malli Pragyaji in her message to the Tapasvis mentioned that Tap is an important remedy for Karm nirjhara. She said that the two Tapasvi Samanijis were an example of inspiration to the others.
Keeping the current, mandated social distancing in mind, four families presented a skit highlighting the importance of JVB. The families performed the play in their own homes and showed that JVB is place for children to learn values, yoga, & meditation. It is place where we learn that conduct is the essence of knowledge and ‘Satya ki swayum khoj kare’. Appana Saccha Mesejja. A video message depicting Samani Kshanti Pragyaji’s journey from childhood to Diksha was shown. In his vote of thanks, JVB President Mr. Manoj Gandhi thanked all the past presidents, committee members, food & gochari committees, Mrs. Menkaben Pandya & family. After a few words by each Tapasvis recounting their experiences and thanking their inspirations for their Varshitaps, they all did parnas in their own homes. The entire Sangh participated virtually and showered them with Anumodnas. The Sunday program was beautifully conducted by Samani Kshanti Pragyaji.
There were approximately 150 logins on each day of the celebrations. An unusual celebration is apt for a milestone year and achievement and under the guidance of Samani Jin Pragyaji & Samani Kshanti Pragyaji the JVB committee was able to fulfill it.
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