I am a creative director (17 years of experience in Visual Communication) and want to work on Jain Heritage. I have worked on Ajanta Ellora and many heritage project in Indira Gandhi Center of Art in New Delhi. I have made a sample project of GOPACHAL jain Teerth. I want to create worlds best heritage promotional project on Jain culture.

Benefit Of Project:
1. Awareness of jain history
2. Educational support for those organizations who are working on Jain culture
3. Archive the content in worlds best digital technology.
4. Support those who are working on Jain tourism
5. Last but not the least, create digitally creative jain cultural educational program.

I am seeking a jain professional who can support us in planning and content. Please have a look at http://360vrworld.com/web/gopachal/ 

Regards
Yatish Jain

<< Below are extracts of email chain on Diwali Party at Jain Center >> 

<< Feel free to continue the discussions on this forum >>

Jai Jinendra!

I agree with Atul Khara, Sanjay Gandhi et.al.

Jain Temple (or Jain Center) premises should be for religious/adhyatmic activities and not for Bollywood Dances, lights on/off etc.  I would hope that the governing documents and administrators of various Jain Societies clearly define what is acceptable and what is not.

Just as an example, in our case, (Jain Society of Greater Cleveland) the Diwali day evening program consisted of evening Pratikramman, Aarti/Mangal Divo followed by "Diwali Gananu".  People participating in the "Gananu" stayed at the Jain Center overnight.  This was followed by early morning Ashtaprakari pooja, Navkarshi, Nav Smaran and Gautam Swami Raas on New Year (Bestu Varas) day.

My two cents,

Kushal Baid
JAINA Director, Jain Society of Greater Cleveland


2014-11-10 16:03 GMT-05:00 Sanjay Gandhi <jayrgandhi@gmail.com>:
Jai Jinendra,

I agree with Atul Khara
Jain Society must only entertain religious and adhyatmic activities.  Many social activities does help bonding between peers. For example, having Religious Performances, Lectures,  picnic, debate , lunch or dinner etc.

Extreme level parties should be a decision of temple board members based on well crafted Bi laws, rules and regulations. Although some temples will allow Raas Garba during Navratri, So the decision is depended on the temple authorizes who must draw a line what is acceptable or not acceptable.  

There are many options to have Bollywood dance parties elsewhere,  such as community halls, personal home basement, conference rooms at local hotels etc. (Other communities have rented a school hall where this type of youth event was organize at very minimum rent).  
Also disappointing youth groups and not helping may create another "issue"  for them to stay away form temple involvements - so help them with understanding and guidance. They are the future generation who will carry the torch forward for next several decades.

Parents & friends of those youth members should step forward to help organize the event at a location where acceptable to all involved.
In India there are so many Derasars and temple properties - where the discipline has been maintained over past decades and centuries.

In todays changing world we will face these sorts of challenges and until something like this happens we (Board members)  must help resolve the issues.
All Rules and Regulations must be well crafted & to be followed properly to maintain the discipline of temple property.


Sanjay Gandhi
Jain Society of Richmond Virginia,





2014-11-10 13:05 GMT-05:00 Atul Khara <insty@verizon.net>:

Dear Alpesh,

Jai Jinendra!

I really appreciate your concern.  Also, I am glad that you are raising this topic.
Here is my two cents on this subject.

Jain Society must only entertain religious and adhyatmic activities.  Some social activities does help bonding between peers. For example, having picnic, debate , lunch or dinner etc. However, Bollywood songs should never be allowed neither a dance party.

All of the above is only possible when the members are provided with proper education.
Diwali is a celebration of Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvan.  It is a very auspicious day to be celebrated just like paryushan.  

निर्वाण कल्याणक (DIWALI)
अभी पंचमकाल प्रारम्भ होने में तीन वर्ष आठ मास तथा पंद्रह दिन का समय शेष था| चौथा काल चल रहा था| प्रभु महावीर का विहार थम गया; वाणी का योग भी मोक्ष गमन के दो दिन पूर्व (धन्य तेरस से) रुक गया| प्रजाजन समज गये कि अब प्रभु के मोक्ष गमन कि तैयारी हे| अनेक देशो के राजा तथा लाखो प्रजाजन भी प्रभु के दर्शनार्थ आ पहुंचे| परम वैराग्य का वातावरण छा गया| भले ही वाणी बंद हो गई थी; तथापि प्रभु कि शांतरस झरती मुद्रा देखकर भी अनेक जीव धर्म प्राप्त करते थे|
गौतम गणधरादि मुनिवर ध्यान में अधिकाधिक एकाग्र हो रहे थे| प्रभु कि उपस्थिति में प्रमाद छोड़कर अनेक जीवो ने सम्यक्दर्शन-ज्ञान-चारित्र कि आराधना प्रारम्भ कर दी| इसप्रकार कार्तिककृष्णा-त्रयोदशी तथा चतुर्दर्शी को दो दिन देवेंद्रो ने सर्वज्ञ महावीर तीर्थंकर की अन्तिम महापूजा की| संसार को भूलकर सब मोक्ष की महिमा में तल्लीन थे| चतुर्दर्शी की रात्रि हुई, अर्धरात्रि भी बीत गई और पिछले प्रहर (अमावस्या का प्रभात उदित होने से पूर्व) वीरनाथ सर्वज्ञ प्रभु तेरहवा गुणस्थान लाँधकर चौदहवे गुणस्थान में अयोगिरूप से विराजमान हुए| यहाँ आस्रव का सर्वथा अभाव एवं संवर की पूर्णता हुई| परमशुक्लध्यान ( तीसरा एवं चौथा) प्रगट करके शेष अघाती कर्मो की संपूर्ण निर्जरा प्रारम्भ कर दी और क्षणमात्र में प्रभु सर्वज्ञ महावीर मोक्षभावरूप परिणमित हुए| तत्क्षण ही लोकाग्र में सिद्धालयरूप मोक्षपुरी में पहुँच गये| आज भी वे सर्वज्ञ परमात्मा वह शुद्ध स्वरुप अस्तित्व में विराज रहे हे, उन्हें हमारा नमस्कार हो!
HERE IS ANOTHER ARTICLE ON DHANTERAS.
धन्य तेरस का जैनशासन में महत्व-
कार्तिक कृष्ण तेरस को तीर्थंकर भगवान महावीर ने अपनी सांसारिक भवों भवों के बंधनों को छेदने के लिए,वर्तमान के जल महल, पावापुरी में योग निरोध धारण किया था जिस कारण यह कार्तिक कृष्ण माह की " तेरस " धन्य हो गई थी !
हमारे इस हुन्डावसर्पिणी काल के २४ वे,अंतिम तीर्थंकर भगवान वर्धमान,सन्मति,वीर,अतिवीर,महावीर सूक्ष्म क्रियाप्रतिपाती और व्युपरत क्रिया निवृति शुक्ल ध्यान में लीन होकर चौदवी गुणस्थान के अंतिम दो समयों में अपनी शेष ८५ कर्म प्रकृतियों का क्षय कर मोक्ष प्राप्ति के लिए ध्यानस्थ हुए थे! इसीलिए हम श्रमण संस्कृति के अनुयायी, वर्तमान में जैन धर्मावलम्बी, धन्य तेरस मनाते है !
इस पर्व का धन/अर्थ से दूर दूर तक का कोई वास्ता नही है ,यह तो अन्य मतियों की देखा देखी हम में से कुछ लोगोने इस में धन से संबंधित कर, धन तेरस पर कोई स्वर्ण की वस्तु खरीदने से जोड़ दिया है जो की जैन मान्यताओं के सर्वथा विपरीत है !
हमारे यहाँ तो कश्मी का पूजन भी लक्ष्मी (धन) के रूप में दीपावली पर निषेध है ,हम यदि पूजते है तो मोक्ष लक्ष्मी के रूप में पूजते है न की धन लक्ष्मी के रूप में ! सरस्वती को पूजते है तो केवल ज्ञान को पूजते है न की सरस्वती देवी को !
हमें " धन्य तेरस" को अपने भावों की उत्कृष्टतम विशुद्धि रखते हुए भगवान महावीर के २५४० वर्षों पूर्व के योग निरोध के दृश्यों का चिंतवन करते हुए मनाना चाहिए जिससे निकट भविष्य में स्वात्म कल्याण की प्रेरणा प्राप्त कर,इस दिशा में पुरुषार्थ कर समुचित निमित्त एवं काललब्धि प्राप्त होने पर, हमे भी निकट भविष्य के किसी भव में मोक्ष लक्ष्मी प्राप्त हो सके !
धन्य तेरस की शुभ कामनाओं सहित ,
कार्तिक कृष्ण तेरस वीर संवत २५४०

WE AT JAIN SOCIETY OF NORTH TEXAS STRICTLY FOLLOWS THESE RULES.

Atul Khara
JSNT
Jain Society of North Texas
601 W. Parker Road, Suite 106
Plano, TX 75023
972-424-4902

www.dfwjains.orgt




On Nov 10, 2014, at 11:41 AM, al shah wrote:

Dear Jaina Executive Committee Members and Directors:

Greetings.


We had a Diwali Party for teens in Oct./Nov. 2013 at Jain Temple, Chicago.  The organizers of this party and then youth secretary had arranged a dance party with Bollywood songs in the basement of temple.  During the dance not only the lights were changing colors but the lights were turned off several times, during dance,(Why? We don't know.) that some of the parents find this unacceptable.  They thought there are many places, other than temple, where teens can go.  Some thought the Bollywood dance in the temple, is not o.k., while some thought the Dance is o.k. but turning lights off??  Is this normal for other Jain Temples?  Most people thought, they bring children and teens to the temple to show them that there is something else (like spirituality) exists, other than what the teens get bombarded 24X7, in the outside world.  


I send similar email about a year ago.  I never received a response.  So let's discuss this issue and let me know your opinion.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,
Alpesh Shah

Jainism is a religion and a way of life. For thousands of years, Jains have been practicing vegetarianism, yoga, meditation, and environmentalism. Jains have three core practices: Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness (Ahimsa, Anekantvad, and Aparigraha – AAA).

Non-Violence is compassion and forgiveness in thoughts, words, and deeds towards all living beings.  For this reason, Jains are vegetarians.
Non- Absolutism is respecting views of others. Jains encourage dialog and harmony with other faiths.
Non-Possessiveness is the balancing of needs and desires, while staying detached from our possessions.

Jainism is a religion and a way of live (1) .  For thousands (2) of years, Jains have been practicing vegetarianism, yoga, meditation, and environmentalism(3). Jains have three core practices: Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness  (Ahimsa, Anekantvad, and Aparigraha – AAA).

Non-Violence is compassion and forgiveness (4) in thoughts, words, and deeds (5) towards all living beings.  For this reason, Jains are vegetarians (6).
Non- Absolutism is respecting views of others (7).  Jains encourage dialog and harmony with other faiths(8).
Non-Possessiveness is balancing (9) of needs and desires, while staying detached from these possessions.

Jains believe in the existence of Soul (10) – in each living being – which is eternal and divine (11).  JAIN WAY OF LIFE (JWOL) respects and honors all living beings through the practice of Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism, and Non-Possessiveness.  We are all interdependent (12) and by living a JAIN WAY OF LIFE (JWOL) we can bring peace and spirituality (13) to our lives and to those around us (14).

 (1)     This is a Way of Life
(2)     This is the oldest documented religion
(3)     Although these concepts are new to North America – they have been part of Jain Way of Life for over 5000 years
(4)     Only now are the scientists realizing the power practicing this..

 (5)    Here we emphasize not just superficial practice but deep belief

(6)   This is critical for a non-violent life style

(7)     This is a unique feature of Jainism - only now is the world realizing that Non-Absolutism is the only path to peace

(8)  All faiths share the same values -  we must be inclusiveness – ready to have a conversation..

(9)  Have enough to live an exciting, fun, and enriching life and share with others and not hoard 

(10)    We are responsible for our own destiny – each living being is divine

(11)     Not just a short span in life but a permanence and long term view of life

(12) We’re not an independent island – but need to be in harmony with people and all living beings that inhabit this planet

(13) Everyone wants peace and tranquility – JWOL can bring that not just momentary but in long term.

(14) This life is not just about us but about all living beings – Live and Help Live

Pratishthä Ceremony of Shvetämbar Tradition for Jain Temples in America

There are two types of Pratishthä ceremonies performed to install a Tirthankar idol of the Shvetämbar tradition in a temple.

• Präna-Pratishthä which includes an Anjan-Shaläkä ceremony
• Simple Pratishthä which does not include an Anjan-Shaläkä ceremony

This article provides an overview of both the ceremonial processes as performed by Shvetämbar Murtipujak Jain communities.  It also explains the benefits and additional responsibility the members of the society have to fulfill if their centers decide to install the idols with Anjan-Shaläkä/ Präna-Pratishthä ritual.

Some of the new temples in America have decided to install (Pratishthä) a Tirthankar idol with simple Pratishthä (without an Anjan-Shaläkä on an Idol) ceremony while others are not sure whether to install the idols with Anjan-Shaläkä ritual or not.  This article may provide some help in your decision.

You can download the article (.pdf file) from Jaina website using the following link:
http://www.jaina.org/educationcommittee/education_material/$$Articles/

•JCGB has 24 posters on Jain philosophy showcased in the temple.

•The posters provide a quick Swadhyay, as people come to the temple to pray.

•Non-Jain visitors can learn about Jainism while touring the temple.

•We can provide help to your Jain Center in displaying 12 or 24 posters.