jain center of greater boston jain jain center of greater boston right faith • right knowledge •...

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]

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]

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:

• 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.

We have made progress in some areas that has helped improved our functions.

• 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

Jain Center of Greater Boston Right Faith • Right Knowledge • Right Conduct

www.jcgb.org July 2015

Monthly Schedule

First Sunday Pathshala (except in July and August)

Contact Pathshala Director

Second Sunday Swadhyay Session

Contact Mukund Mehta (781) 344-6030

Third Sunday Snatra Puja

Contact Sudhir Shah (508) 660-9683

Fourth Sunday Dev Shastra Guru Puja

Contact Harsha Jain (508) 405-1448

Fifth Sunday

(as applicable)

Open, please check for announcement

Tuesdays Shrimad Rajchandra Session

Contact Pradip Gosalia (508) 473-1072

Mark your Calendar

2nd August JCGB Annual Picnic

At Colt State Park, RI

1st August and

3rd August through

7th August

Lecture Series by Pandit Shri

Champakbhai Mehta (see page 3)

Please also see email announcement

for details

10th September thru

17th September

Paryushan Parva

17th September thru

27th September

Das Lakshan Parva

20th September Pathshala Puja

3rd October Paryshan/Das Lakshan

(Kshamavani) Celebration Program

11th November Nirvaan Laddoo

14th November Diwali Celebrations

Picnic

When: Sunday, August 02, 2015, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Where: Colt State Park, Hope St. Route 114, Bristol, Rhode

Island

Cost: $7 per person, Children under 5 free. There is no

fee to enter the park or to park your car.

RSVP: Please visit the picnic RSVP link on our website and

RSVP by Wednesday, July 29 so that we can plan

the amount of food.

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.

The park offers many activities for the entire family. We have

reserved picnic spot numbers 8, 9, 10 and 11 (see map below).

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.

We hope to see you all at the Jain Center's picnic.

Pravachan

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.

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.

• 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:

• 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.

For additional information, please contact Rasik Vagadia at 508-

740-7816.

Paryushan Parva Program

Thursday, September 10 through Thursday, September 17

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

Chahwala

9:45 p.m. Aarti and Mangal Divo

September 11th, Friday 2nd Day of Paryushan Parva



Chahwala




Chahwala


September 12th, Saturday 3rd Day of Paryushan Parva

(Choudash)

9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Snatra Puja


Chahwala


12:45 p.m. Lunch by JCGB (RSVP required)

Looking for Lunch Sponsor(s)


Chahwala


7.00 p.m. Bhavana, and Aarti and Mangal Divo

September 13th, Sunday 4th Day of Paryushan Parva

8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Panch Kalyanak Puja


Chahwala

12:45 p.m. Lunch by JCGB (RSVP required)

Looking for Lunch Sponsor(s)


Chahwala


8.00 p.m. Bhavana and Aarti and Mangal Divo

September, 14th, Monday 5th Day of Paryushan Parva

Bhagvan Mahaviraswami Janam Vanchan Day



Chahwala




Chahwala


September 15th, Tuesday 6th Day of Paryushan Parva



Chahwala




Chahwala


September 16th, Wednesday 7th Day of Paryushan Parva



Chahwala




Chahwala


September 17th, Thursday Samvatsari day

9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Snatra Puja


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, 18th, Friday Parana

7:30 a.m. Darshan-Chaityavandan

8:00 a.m. 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. Pooja

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Open talk-Lecture


8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lecture Dharma of the day

8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 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. Das Lakshan Puja

10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pathshala Puja

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Das Lakshan Dharma

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Lecture

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 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


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



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

24th September, Thursday

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pooja




8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Lecture- Jiva Samas

25th September, Friday

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Pooja




8:30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Open talk-Lecture

26th September, Saturday



1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lecture on Jain Mathematics

(Alokik Ganit)


27th September, Sunday



1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jain Geography


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.

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 non-

sectarian 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.

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?

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) 330-

1964.

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

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.

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