 |  |
| Samani Akshay Pragya | Samani Vinay Pragya |
Pathshalas are popular part of Jain culture. Parents send their children to the pathshala so they may learn basics of Jainism, celebrate the various religious occasions with the jain community, and integrate the jain principles of patience, respect, truthfulness, responsibility, understanding and control of passions in their daily lives.
JVB Peksha Meditation Center, Houston introduced first Gyanshala semester that began 7th Jan 2007 and completed successfully on 19th May 2007. Gyanshala classes are held first and third Sunday of each month from 10 am to 12 am. It was an introductory semester with 11 students divided into two age-based class levels. Classes were held by Saminijis and parent volunteers, who used various teaching styles depending on the age group of the class. For example, for 3-5 age kids are learning Jainism through more playful activities, yoga stretches and games. For kids 6 and up, we used more interactive style and written material. Classes that we teach are Prayer, Yoga, Concept of Jainism, and story telling and Kids are taught daily prayers, Namaskar mahamantra, Logass and other Shlokas. In yoga, they learn Pranayam, Mahaprandhwani and some mind-body exercises. They are introduced to concepts of jiva and ajiva, non-violence and vegetarianism in the story telling class. Gyanshala kids participated in cultural presentations during the Akshay Tritiya and Mahavir Jayanti program at the camp as well.
In this way JVB center focuses itself to develop complete and integrated personality of the kids by teaching them physical, mental, emotional and spiritual activities.
