Pratistha Mahotsav in Miami 7th April, 2009
In the series of Pratishthas of Jain temples in USA, one more name added on 17th April, 2009. The 3-day celebration was grand & with pomp & pressure. The celebration started with Digambar puja on Friday, 17th April. Later on Samani Charitra Pragya gave an inspirative lecture on "Unity in Diversity". She expressed her views by saying that Miami Jain temple stands unique in itself as for the first time in the history, all the denominations of jains are brought under one roof.
On Saturday in the opening ceremony of wall engraved with the Navkaar Mantra Samani Param Pragya ji stated the importance of mantra. The speech was concluded by the recitation of navkaar mantra in different soothing tunes. On Sunday, Pratishtha was blessed by the presence of eight samanijis and one Mumukshu of Jain Vishwa Bharati centers of USA. During the opening of the Bhak-tamar Stotra, engraved in the wall, its glory was articulated by Samani Akshay Pragya ji.
The Pratishtha Mahotsav with its pompous rituals had a celestial celebration of inauguration of the photo of Gurudev Shri Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya in the Pathshala room of the temple. This was a dream of Shashi and Kusum Jain (Baid), native of Ladnun, residing in Miami, a very dedicated and devoted family to Gurudev Tulsi and Mahapragya. When asked, why he chose the pathashala room to be named as "Gurudev Tulsi Pathshala"? He said, 'Acharya Shri's focus was educating and building the character of our younger generations'. To make this dream true, this was the perfect occasion.
The inauguration of the "Gurudev Tulsi Pathashala", started off with Bhattarakji's speech. Bhattarakji shared his im-memorable experiences when he met Gurudev Tulsi in his hometown Shimoga in Karnataka. He articulated that, Gu-rudev Tulsi, a revolutionary Acharya was famous for his non-sectarian spiritual movement, labeled "Anuvrat Movement". He wanted humans to come together and build the character of the nation, rather than fighting for sects. Gurudev Tulsi was beyond the limits of mineness and orthodoxy. Bhattarakji also emphasized, that in the whole of Jain congregation, the discipline of the Terapanth is unique and unparallel. Further talking about Acharya Mahapragyaji, he briefed his great philosophical contribution to the Jain congregation and his in depth knowledge. Samani Mudit Pragya ji, highlighted the great contribution of Gurudev Tulsi to the community, like Saman order, Mumukshu education system (Parmarthik Shikshan Sanstha), Jain Vishwa Bharti 
University (the only Jain university in the world), Science of Living, Preksha Meditation, and lot more to name. He was a key instrument in changing the life of women in Jain Community. He was a great visionary and a revolutionary saint. Further Samani Charitra Pragya concluded by sharing a short intro of Gurudev, which he himself gave. When asked "who he was," he would say, "I am first a human being, then a monk and then an Acharya." This revealed his humanness and non-sectarian approach, a charismatic power, which bound everyone who met him.
The Jain Community of Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach and many more, participated in the ceremony which was concluded with a musical recitation of jaap of Gurudev Tulsi, followed by the song, "Mahaprana Gurudev" composed for Gurudev and a song composed by Gurudev Tulsi himself.
The other highlights of Pratishtha Mahotsava were the installation of Idols, opening ceremony of wall engraved with Atma Siddhi. Sunday evening was made memorable by a fabulous play named "Shalibhadra", prepared by Samanijis and Mumukshu. The play involved all three generations, kids, youth and adults. The outstanding performance of the team has made the day blissful. Days come and go but the memories of special events shall last forever.
By Miami Newsdesk
