Jain Centers Resources Committe

Temple Process Guidelines - (Download Word Document)

OBJECTIVE: To define a temple project process for the various Jain Centers of Northern America and Canada with some predefined tasks to consider for planning and execution.
SCOPE:

1. This guideline covers only Temple Project Process tasks to consider as a road map to follow based on the experiences of other centers in North America that can be adjusted based on your requirements.
TEMPLE PROJECT PROCESS GUIDELINES:

• 1.0 Define Objectives:
- 1.1 Define what you want to achieve as a Jain center.
- 1.2 What Jain traditions should be included (Swetamber, Digamber, Sthankawasi, Terapanth, Bispanth, Shrimad Raj Chandra, Kanjiswami, etc). Keeping in your center and community interests in mind.

• 2.0 Requirements Definition Process:
- 2.1 What are the religious requirements from each tradition?
- 2.2 What are the educational requirements for the up-coming generations?
- 2.3 What size of the community you need to support in terms of families
- 2.4 How large should be your meeting place, kitchen etc to support the community now, 5 years from now and 10 years from now.
- 2.5 Preference of location based on where majority of the community resides.
- 2.6 How many classrooms you need for educational purposes (Pathshala).
- 2.7 Are you planning to have a Library?
- 2.8 Get input from your community and get buy-in for the project (1) By sending a survey and compile the data (2) by appointing a leader from each Jain tradition.
- 2.9 Define Human Resources requirements to operate and mange the various activities of the temple e.g. Manager, maintenance person, and/or a Pujari.

• 3.0 Options to consider for the center:
- 3.1 To buy an existing building and modify to fit the requirements.
- 3.2 To combine the temple facilities sharing with other Hindu temple.
- 3.3 To buy a land and build from scratch.
- 3.4 To expand the existing facility to accommodate growth.

• 4.0 Develop cost estimates by options:
- 4.1 Define costs of land to acquire
- 4.2 Define existing building and modifications costs if that option is considered to fit the requirements.
- 4.3 Develop what will be sharing costs and donations needed to share the temple facilities with Hindu temple.
- 4.4 Develop Architecture and design costs, Construction costs and furnishing costs including Murtis and marble work.

• 5.0 Develop a project proposal and plan with cost estimates and completion time:
- 5.1 Develop a project proposal.
- 5.2 Provide all the possible options you consider and a recommended option.
- 5.3 If you are planning to build from scratch than what are the tasks you will go through and when those tasks will be completed.
- 5.4 Define how you plan to raise the money to cover the costs.
- 5.5 What are the contingencies you have built in your plan if costs go up by 10% or 20% from the initial project costs?
- 5.6 When will you start and complete the project based on the tasks you need to do.
- 5.7 Develop a chart to present the community with tasks dates and time and costs so they have a full understanding of what is involved to seek their support.
- 5.8 Provide the periodic progress reports on the plan including changes and delays.

• 6.0 Funding the Project:
- 6.1 Define how you plan to raise the funds.
- 6.2 Define the matrix what funds are needed when either to acquire land, or get city approval,
Or designing of the building, construction and Pratistha time.
6.3 What level of pledges and commitment are required and when they need to be collect
Ed.
6.4 Consider obtaining a bank loan during a work-in progress construction loan. It can be
Obtained from the bank by submitting any pledges made by individuals (as accounts
Receivables) or shopping from any bank in your area that is willing to loan for such
Projects.

• 7.0 Acquisition and Construction Phase:
- 7.1 Acquire land.
- 7.2 Develop a project proposal and plan with drawings.
- 7.3 Ensure that you develop good rapport with City planning and council members.
- 7.4 Submit plan and proposal to the city for approval.
- 7.5 Provide similar drawings and temple pictures of other centers in US along with your proposal.
- 7.6 Make any recommended changes as per city code requirements.
- 7.7 Invite bids for contracts for design and architecture work.
- 7.8 Review and make necessary changes for architecture work after discussing with community addressing religious requirements.
- 7.9 Invite bids for construction costs as well any sub-contractors you plan to hire.
- 7.10 Invite bids if you plan to get any marble work done in India
- 7.11 Consider owner built option.

• 8.0 Temple opening & Pratistha:
- 8.1 Develop a detail plan for Pratistha.
- 8.2 Pratistha planning should begin at least 9 months before temple completion for a smooth and successful Pratistha.
- 8.3 Ensure that city permit is acquired either temporary or permanent prior to Pratistha.
- 8.4 Invite city and planning commission members or mayor of the city at all major events and invite scholars and Pratistha vidhikar and Sadhus to perform the Pratistha ceremony well in advance.
- 8.5 Make sure your Maintenance, or Management and Pujari positions are already filled.

Developed by Jaina resource committee, March 2005

	Dr. Nitin Shah
	1902 Chestnut Street
	Los Angeles, CA
	phone: 562-902-0277
	n-shah@comcast.net