Newsletter-July-2015 - Jain Center of Greater Boston
Transcription
Newsletter-July-2015 - Jain Center of Greater Boston
Jain Center of Greater Boston Right Faith • Right Knowledge • Right Conduct www.jcgb.org July 2015 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dilip Jain, President (401) 323-6547 [email protected] Tarang Jain, Vice President (781) 210-7321 [email protected] Supriya Jain, Secretary (617) 386-3151 [email protected] Ashish Jain, Treasurer (508) 416-6100 [email protected] Mahavir Akkole, Dir of Property Management (617) 320-4367 [email protected] Dhara Shah, Youth Representative (732) 763-3239 [email protected] Amit Shah, Member-at-large (401) 722-1272 [email protected] Chintan Shah, Member-at-large (608) 217-4807 [email protected] Hitesh Soni, Member-at-large (781) 449-4639 [email protected] Neela Shah, Member-at-large (508) 366-4090 [email protected] Shraddha Kotadiya, Member-at-large (978) 729-6151 [email protected] Priya Jain, Pathshala Director (508) 685-8533 [email protected] President’s Message: Jai Jinendra, Welcome to the re-energized JCGB newsletter. We have received feedback that members like receiving a printed newsletter from the Jain Center. I wish to point out a few things that will improve the operations of the Jain Center. We are now using MailChimp instead of Yahoogroup to send Jain Center emails. We noticed that emails are opened by only 40% addresses out of 800 email addresses. One reason may be that Google may place JCGB emails in the Promotions folder and thus the email may be overlooked by some members. Please move the JCGB email one time from the Promotions folder to the Primary folder and future emails from JCGB will appear in the Primary folder. It is a fact that most of the Jain Center’s events involve, and members expect, food service. Your Executive Committee wishes to excel in this effort but need your support and cooperation. Please pay particular attention to the following points: • • • We have made progress in some areas that has helped improved our functions. • BOARD Shrey Shah, Chairman (508) 331-8616 [email protected] Anshuman Gosalia, Secretary (978) 452-8786 [email protected] Rasik Vagadia, Member (508) 543-0097 [email protected] Sudhir Shah, Member (508) 243-4731 [email protected] RSVP: Let us know if you plan to attend an event via the RSVP link provided for that event. We need this information at least four days in advance of the event to let the caterer know of the number of people to expect. This will ensure that adequate quantity of food is available for all attendees and also that the food will not go to waste. Be Ecofriendly: All food at major events is served in stainless steel sectional plates. The purpose is to minimize the trash generated after an event. Please help us continue this tradition by volunteering in the kitchen to rinse the utensils before they are loaded in the dishwasher. If each person volunteers for even 15 minutes in the kitchen, we will never have to use paper products. Swamivatsalya: If you haven’t already done so, please make your family’s yearly contribution of $55 towards Swamivatsalya costs. Only one in five family has made contribution this year! If enough funds are not available to cover the food service cost, the shortfall has to be made from the general funds thereby reducing available funds for other activities. • Membership – We have made concerted efforts to have members renew their membership. More can be done – for example, option to renew membership online for those who are comfortable with online activities. If you are a database expert with PHP programming skills, please let us know…we need your help. Paypal/Credit Card – We have started to accept Paypal, Credit or Debit cards for many activities such as member contributions, Swamivatsalya, Distinguished Donor Gold contribution, bolis, Pathshala registration fee, etc. Information about our upcoming events is provided in the newsletter. The next event is Picnic on Sunday, August 02 at Colt State Park, Bristol, RI. We hope to see you there! Please let us know how we can improve the functioning of the Jain Center. Sincerely, Dilip Jain Monthly Schedule First Sunday Second Sunday Third Sunday Fourth Sunday Fifth Sunday (as applicable) Tuesdays Pathshala (except in July and August) Contact Pathshala Director Swadhyay Session Contact Mukund Mehta (781) 344-6030 Snatra Puja Contact Sudhir Shah (508) 660-9683 Dev Shastra Guru Puja Contact Harsha Jain (508) 405-1448 Open, please check for announcement Colt State Park is often referred to as the 'gem' of Rhode Island's State Parks System. The entire western border of the park is an open panorama onto Narragansett Bay. The park offers four miles of bicycle trails passing along the Bay and through 464 acres of groomed fruit trees, carefully nurtured flowering bushes, and manicured lawns. Rich in history, it proudly displays ten large playfields, six picnic groves containing 400+ picnic tables and its popular open air Chapel-By-The-Sea. Shrimad Rajchandra Session Contact Pradip Gosalia (508) 473-1072 Mark your Calendar 2nd August 1st August and 3rd August through 7th August 10th September thru 17th September 17th September thru 27th September 20th September 3rd October 11th November 14th November JCGB Annual Picnic At Colt State Park, RI Lecture Series by Pandit Shri Champakbhai Mehta (see page 3) Please also see email announcement for details Paryushan Parva Das Lakshan Parva Pathshala Puja Paryshan/Das Lakshan (Kshamavani) Celebration Program Nirvaan Laddoo Diwali Celebrations Picnic When: Where: Cost: RSVP: Sunday, August 02, 2015, starting at 10:00 a.m. Colt State Park, Hope St. Route 114, Bristol, Rhode Island $7 per person, Children under 5 free. There is no fee to enter the park or to park your car. Please visit the picnic RSVP link on our website and RSVP by Wednesday, July 29 so that we can plan the amount of food. The park offers many activities for the entire family. We have reserved picnic spot numbers 8, 9, 10 and 11 (see map below). • • • Conducting discourses during Paryushan Mahaparva. Setting examination papers and checking the papers. Organizing educational shibirs and camps. Shri Champakbhai reads, writes and speaks Gujarati, Sanskrit and Prakrit. We will have a full day of program on Saturday and on weekdays in the evening. Please come and listen to some of his lectures and you may feel that you don't want to miss any! 1st August 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pravachan 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pravachan (with a tea break) 3rd August thru 7th August 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Pravachan We may also have morning sessions during weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be announced via email. Shri Champakbhai will cover a few of the topics below based on members’ interest: Lunch will be provided. We will have the usual culinary delights like grilled corn, watermelon, jaljira pani, and games like cricket, volleyball, badminton, Frisbee. Bring your bikes, kites, kayaks, and enjoy the day. Explore Rhode Island after the picnic. The park is in historic Bristol - home of the oldest 4th of July parade in the country. Newport is a short distance from the park. • • • • • • • • Nav Tatva Samayak Darshan - 14 Gunastan Sanya and Dharma Nav Pad, Nav Punya Eighteen Pap Sthanak Solah (16) Bhavana Avashyak - Shravak 12 Vrats Summaries of major scriptures like Pravachansar, Samaysar, Karmagranth, Panchastikay or Niyamsar. We hope to see you all at the Jain Center's picnic. For additional information, please contact Rasik Vagadia at 508740-7816. Pravachan Paryushan Parva Program We are fortunate to have Pandit Shri Champakbhai Mehta visit our Jain Center from Saturday, August 1 through Friday, August 7. Shri Champakbhai is highly knowledgeable about Jain scriptures and gives discourse, in simple language, on any Jain subject without referring to any book. In a way, he is another Pandit Dhirubhai. Thursday, September 10 through Thursday, September 17 Shri Champakbhai studied Jain Philosophy for 4-1/2 years at Shrimad Yashovijayji Jain Sanskrit Pathshala, Mehsana, Gujarat a foremost institution, imparting education in Jain Philosophy and Rituals for the last 102 years, and having created a number of scholars who later opted for monkhood. He is engaged in: • • Teaching Jain Philosophy, Scriptures and sutras in Pathshalas and Sanghs for the last 22 years. Presently, he is the principal at Jawaharnagar Jain Sangh Pathshala attended by approximately 700 students. Assisting publication of books and research work on Jainism. We have invited two great scholars from Tapovan Sanskar Pith, Ahmedabad (a well-known institute for training young adult for Jain scripture study and spread the knowledge) for the celebration of Paryushan parva. Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala has come to many Jain centers for Paryushan parva. He is great orator and good command on delivering pravachans. Shri Nayanbhai Sanghavi is great singer and a vidhikar and will be doing bhavana and perform pujan. September 10th, Thursday 1st Day of Paryushan Parva 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Puja/Snatra Puja 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pratikraman 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhavana 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai 9:45 p.m. Chahwala Aarti and Mangal Divo 9:45 p.m. Chahwala Aarti and Mangal Divo September 11th, Friday 2nd Day of Paryushan Parva 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Puja/Snatra Puja 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pratikraman 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhavana 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 9:45 p.m. Aarti and Mangal Divo September 16th, Wednesday 7th Day of Paryushan Parva 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Puja/Snatra Puja 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pratikraman 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhavana 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 9:45 p.m. Aarti and Mangal Divo September 12th, Saturday 3rd Day of Paryushan Parva (Choudash) 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Snatra Puja 10:45 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 12:30 p.m. Aarti and Mangal Divo 12:45 p.m. Lunch by JCGB (RSVP required) Looking for Lunch Sponsor(s) 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pratikraman 7.00 p.m. Bhavana, and Aarti and Mangal Divo September 17th, Thursday Samvatsari day 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Snatra Puja 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 5:00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Samvatsari Pratikraman-Boli Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Samvatsari Pratikraman Sthanakvasi Pratikraman 9.00 p.m. Aarti and Mangal Divo September 13th, Sunday 4th Day of Paryushan Parva 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Panch Kalyanak Puja 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 12:45 p.m. Lunch by JCGB (RSVP required) Looking for Lunch Sponsor(s) 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pratikraman 8.00 p.m. Bhavana and Aarti and Mangal Divo September, 14th, Monday 5th Day of Paryushan Parva Bhagvan Mahaviraswami Janam Vanchan Day 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Puja/Snatra Puja 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pratikraman 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhavana 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 9:45 p.m. Aarti and Mangal Divo September 15th, Tuesday 6th Day of Paryushan Parva 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Puja/Snatra Puja 10:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai Chahwala 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Pratikraman 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhavana 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Pravachan by Shri Rameshbhai September, 18th, Friday 7:30 a.m. 8:00 a.m. Parana Darshan-Chaityavandan Parana Celebration Das Lakshan Parva Program Friday, September 18 through Monday, September 28 We have invited Dr. Shashiji Khasgiwala from Indore for Das Lakshan parva. She is a very keen and enthusiastic participant of all the religious functions and activities of Samavsharan Mandir. As a regular member of Kundkund Kahan Swadhyay Bhawan, Indore, she conducts Sunday classes for children and youth. Despite being a Physician, she regularly attends Prakashji and Poojaji Chabbra especially on Karnanuyog and Jain Geography. Dr. Shashiji Khasgiwala is very knowledgeable of Jain Mathematics and will cover this subject in one of the lectures. All four Anuyogs (especially Dravayanuyog and Karnanuyog) are topics of interest and she will speak on Ratnakaran Shravakachar, Samaysarji and any other subject suggested. 18th September, Friday 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Pooja Open talk-Lecture Bhavana Lecture Dharma of the day Lecture to Dravya 19th September, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Pooja 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Das Lakshan Dharma 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lecture 20th September, Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Das Lakshan Puja Pathshala Puja Das Lakshan Dharma Lecture Lunch 21st September, Monday 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pooja 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Open talk-Lecture 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bhavana 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dharma of the day 8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Lecture to Tatva 22nd September, Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pooja 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Open talk-Lecture 7.30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bhavana 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lecture to Dharma of the day 8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Lecture to Questions answers 23rd September, Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pooja 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Open talk-Lecture 7.30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bhavana 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lecture Dharma of the day 8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Lecture - Nayas 28th September, Monday 7:30 a.m. Pakshal 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Parna 3rd October, Saturday Paryushan/Das Lakshan (Kshamavai) Celebration Program Library Renovation JCGB is delighted to have four new custom built cabinets in the library with sliding glass doors. Three cabinets are for books (English, Hindi and Gujarati) and one cabinet to host media content (Audio tapes, VCR, CDs and DVDs). Books are cataloged and arranged in alphabetical order. A list of all books will be available soon on the JCGB website. Several members have contributed their effort and time to the library organization project. Library Committee: Ashok Shah, Mukund Mehta, Kamal Shah Volunteers: Sunandaben Shah, Dhiraben Mehta, Lipa Shah, Ketan Parekh, Mamtaben Mehta, Padmashree, Aarjav and Nirjara Akkole, Shwetha Sethi, Diptiben Shah, Dr. Chandra and Pratima Khasgiwala, Ashish and Priya Seth, and Pramit Shah. The Library committee thanks the past and present executive committee members and board for their continued support and guidance during the project. 24th September, Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pooja 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Open talk-Lecture 7.30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bhavana 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dharma of the day 8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Lecture- Jiva Samas 25th September, Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Pooja Open talk-Lecture Bhavana Dharma of the day Open talk-Lecture 26th September, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Pooja 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lecture on Jain Mathematics (Alokik Ganit) 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dharma of the day 27th September, Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pooja Lunch Jain Geography Dharma of the day From the Secretary - Membership All the membership applications received as of this mailing have been processed. The current expiration date of your membership is printed on the last cover page under your address. If your membership is expired, we request you to submit a completely filled membership form to the Secretary immediately so the membership can be re-activated. Please note that re-activations are processed similar to new memberships. If you have any questions related to your membership, please contact the Secretary. From the Desk of Pathshala Director Jai Jinendra, Mahavir Swami taught us to live a transparent life, with no discrepancy between our thoughts, words and actions. Pathshala staff tries to incorporate this message to seventy students who meet every first Sunday of the month. Students start at age 3 in the Parent and Me class and graduate from Pathshala in the same year as their high school graduation. A team of seventeen teachers work hard to live and share Jain way of life and to promote educational activities on nonsectarian basis. Pathshala has been always blessed by generous donations from our community. Our Winter Camp was sponsored by Shri Dinesh Bhai and Chitra Ben Dalal, and 25 students and 10 staff members had a very productive day learning religion through different games and skits. Kids worked very well in their groups to present different some life events of our Tirthankars. Well, bolis are the most visible means. In addition, Distinguished Gold Donor Pledges are the constant flow of the income. This is the commitment of $250/year on an ongoing basis. The pledge is automatically renewed every year. The Executive Committee encourages the newcomers and young professionals to pledge for Distinguished Gold Donor. If you need further information, feel free to call anyone of the Executive Committee member. Though we would love to honor you as Distinguished Donor Member, once committed, the donor can opt out at any time for any reason just by sending a note or calling the Treasurer, Ashish Jain at [email protected] or via phone at (508) 3301964. You can pay your pledges and donations online at http://jcgb.org/donations or via mail to Treasurer, Jain Center of Greater Boston, 556 Nichols St, Norwood, MA 02062. From the Food Coordinator - Volunteers Needed Every year our food coordinators work enthusiastically to provide delicious food for all programs and functions held at JCGB. We appreciate all the help and support our volunteers have been offering year after year. A lot of volunteering options are still available and we rely on every bit of help to make our temple programs run effectively and successfully! Please contact EC if you would like to serve the temple through any of the volunteering options. Jain Scholar Selection Subcommittee Report Mahavir Jayanti brings excitement among our students every year to present their projects to the community. At the JAINA convention our poster and model project “Jainism and Science” was very successful. We are very thankful to the entire community who helped us make this project a huge success under the able leadership of Sanjay Jain. Many attendees appreciated the contents and the presentation. We received very positive response and feedback. Also, we are proud of our kids who volunteered at the JAINA convention. Enrollment to Pathshala is now open and I encourage everyone to take advantage of our website, www.jcgb.org, to fill out the application. I am thankful for an opportunity to serve our Center as Pathshala Director, and I can be reached at [email protected]. Priya Jain From the Treasurer - Distinguished Donor Gold Where does JCGB, non-profit organization, get their resources for ever-increasing activities and the upkeep of the temple? Last year Executive Committee formed a subcommittee for the selection of Jain scholars for Paryushan and Das Lakshan parvas and to arrange other lecture programs during the year. The subcommittee members are Dr. Chandra Khasgiwala, Pankajbhai Shah, Dharmraji Khot, Mukundbhai Mehta, Kulbhushanji Jain and Rasikbhai Vagadia. The committee prepared the list of scholars who are visiting the USA and are well known for Jain scripture knowledge and presentation. The committee decided to select, invite and get commitment from scholars two to three year in advance of actual parva year as some of the scholars get booked well (two to three years) in advanced by other Jain centers. The subcommittee would like to invite more scholars and have more lecture programs but the issue is that we don’t get as many members to attend the program. We need 20-25 members to attend the program during weekdays and 35-50 members during weekend for an effective program, and need twice as many for Paryushan and Das Lakshan parvas. Another problem is hosting of the scholars. We need more members to come forward to host the scholars. We invite feedback from the members about the lectures and what topic/subject they like to hear. Members can also recommend a scholar (please provide name and contact info) if they have heard them in India or USA and like them very much. 2015 JAINA Convention Inspires and Entertains in Southern Style! The 2015 JAINA Convention took place from July 2nd to 5th in Atlanta, Georgia. It was well attended by Jains from all across North America and represented internationally, with about 4,000 total attendees. JCGB was well represented with about 30 of our sangh members in attendance. Program and Participation The religious and practical sessions included speakers Chandanaji, Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, Shrut Pragya Swamiji, Acharya Lokesh Muniji, Sadhviji Sanghamitraji (first sadhviji to take diskha in the US), Swami Charukeerti Bhattarakji, Nipun Mehta and many others. Topics especially valuable and highly regarded included the opening keynote from Nipun Mehta who spoke about charity and giving. His simple message and truly motivating style was inspirational. Rakeshbhai Jhaveri’s talk with practical spiritual guidance for the shravak/shravika (layperson) was well received and attended by huge audiences. Youth were very active in this year’s convention. Chintan Maheshwari from Detroit won the first ever JAINA Speaking Competition. 15 students prepared and delivered speeches on the value of rituals in Jainism. The Jain Academic Bowl featured its largest participation ever with 17 teams representing their Jain Centers. The juniors and seniors groups had been preparing for over a year, studying the principles of Jain dharma and practicing answering quickly. The competition was fair, honest and high-spirited. Ultimately Chicago won the juniors group and Houston won the seniors group. JCGB Participation Our own sangh also presented several sessions, highlighted by Yogendra Jain to mobile apps for spirituality and wellness, Sanjay Jain to Jainism and Science project, Preeti Jain to pathshala and youth education and Chintan Shah to Long Range Planning and leadership. The Jainism and Science exhibit was especially a highlight as it used 3D models and tangible objects to represent topics including Anekantvaad, mathematics (using cookies), living plants, matter and meditation. Entertainment The entertainment program was headlined by the highly anticipated Kumar Sanu and he did not disappoint! He sang the night away on Saturday with hits from the 90s that evoked nostalgia and Bollywood favorites. This concert setting had people standing, dancing in the aisles and crowded around the stage! The program also included Jains Got Talent with national singing and dancing acts and the Cultural Program with 20 acts representing Jain Centers from all over North America. Key Takeaways JAINA showed that the organization is moving forward to address the needs of our community and develop services that offer value. New initiatives that were shared include: • • JELP to JAINA Education and Loan Program to attract, identify, and provide meaningful and substantial financial aid to practicing Jain youths in North America who wish to embark on a college career path and have a demonstrated financial need. Applications are due by July 31st! (www.jaina.org/jelp). JAINA Mobile App to JAINA debuted a new iPhone and Android app that allows communication and interaction with JAINA from your phone! Learn about projects, watch live webcasts, share and view pictures and make donations from your phone! (www.jaina.org/iphone and www.jaina.org/android) To watch some of the recorded sessions and lectures, please visit the JAINA streaming site at livewebcast.jaina.org. To watch a summary of the JAINA Convention, please see the schedule for the TV Asia program Mangalam. You can also watch it on YouTube at http://youtu.be/uk6SWw23htM. For more information please visit www.jaina.org.