JCSC Connect | Volume 1, Issue 4 by Jain Center of Southern California

Welcome JCSC Connect December 2014, Volume 1 Issue 4 Editor:

Dilip Parekh

Section Editors:

Biren Mehta Hasendra Shah Jayana Shah Dr. Mahendra Shah Reena Shah Shami Shah Sheenika Shah Tarang Shah

Advisors:

Pallavi Gala Girishbhai Shah Chandrakant Parekh Vipin Vadecha

Art and Design: Rishita Dagli Jayana Shah Front Cover: Rishita Dagli IT Support:

Narendra Jain

Publisher:

Jain Center of Southern California 8072 Commonwealth Ave. Buena Park, CA 90621

Contact:

JCSC.Connect@gmail.com

Editor’s Note Om Shree Veetragay Namah Jai Jinendra, Thanks to many of the JCSC members who have shown a lot of interest in JCSC Connect, given us good feedback and also have sent in their articles. It is really heart-warming when people ask me “When is the next issue coming out?” Or “Is it too late to submit an article?” We are very fortunate to have a wonderful Editorial Team. All of them love what they do and work on the magazine content because they grow so much while working on it. In our fourth issue, we continue our ongoing features such as “Bhakti Marg”, “Dharma Katha”, Activity Page for children, etc. In addition, we have more contributors in the Education and Transformation sections. An in-depth article in the Education section <name> will stimulate your thinking. The articles in the Transformation section written by Jain Study Group students; “Importance of a Guide in Spiritual Development” and “Practicing Anekantvad”; will show you how the young generation is advancing spiritually from what they are learning at the Jain Center. It is needless to say that you are all instrumental in the success of the Jain Center. Your contribution of time and money keeps the place running and flourishing. We are pleased to bring you the names of hundreds of donors in the “Information” section In Seva, Dilip Parekh

Front Cover: Pictures from Vegan Day at Jain Center of Southern California. Photos on by Andy Shah Photography.

Contents Table of Contents President’s Message...........................................................................................................................4 Young Generation..............................................................................................................................5 Paying it Forward in Pathshala Golden Grains of Compassion: The Story of Metärya Muni Activities Devotion..............................................................................................................................................8 Avsar Behar Behar Nahi Ave Bhaktimarg ni Aaradhana Education......................................................................................................................................... 12 The Royal Path to Liberation – Glad Acceptance Learning Through Stories Compassion.......................................................................................................................................15 A Cup of Tea and a Loaf of Bread Compassion for the Elderly Inspiration......................................................................................................................................... 19 From Angulimala to Ahinsak Transformation...................................................................................................................................21 Reaching Importance of a Guide in the Spiritual Journey Practicing Anekantavada Recipe - Coconut Green Curry with Corn

Spotlight ........................................................................................................................................... 24

Behind the Scenes with JCSC

Information.........................................................................................................................................26 Paryushan 2014 Celebration at JCSC First Tirthankar Mandir of Eastern Europe, Siddhayatan: Estonia JCSC Ongoing Activities and Lifetime Tithis & JCSC Upcoming Events Thanks for your feedback! & Call for Articles ............................................................................. 41

President’s Message Jai Jinendra We are in the final days of 2014 and will soon welcome 2015. It may be an appropriate time for many of us to take advantage of the appropriate tax deduction by paying off the pledges. It is also time to contemplate how we progressed during the past year and make resolution for 2015 and beyond. We have included a list of all the donors who have contributed till November 2014. I am thankful to each one of them and also to others who have contributed their valuable time and other resources. Jain Center continues to march forward due to your generosity. Please remember the Jain Center is a huge facility (approx. 75000 sq. feet or 50 average residences) and it takes lots of resources, monetary (approx. $1000 a day) and human (The Most Valuable assets) to keep it in the ‘Ship Shape’. We all benefit from our facility and we all continue to contribute any which way we can. We recently had our annual elections. My congratulation to all the candidates, including those who did not get elected because of the limitation of the available positions, for offering their services and time and participating in this truly democratic process. My congratulations also to the nomination committee and election committee for conducting one of best ever election. Moving forward we would like to conduct these election via Digital/ Electronic process thus avoiding or minimizing the election expenses of approx. $5000.00. A task force have been already created to work towards preparing for the same. If you are a subscriber to our E-mail News Letter you may have already noticed the difference due to our new E-mail format. Thanks to the team of our Young Volunteers who continue to help us making communications better, faster and visually more appealing. Same is true also about our New Website. Please visit, explore its many feature including E-mail signups and update your address and other contact information update as needed. Furthermore, we have created a ‘Virtual Tour’ of our facility. It enables you to navigate as if you are walking and enjoying the details of our beautiful Temple. This enables all to enjoy the benefit of ‘Darshan’ who cannot make it physically. Please explore these and show these to all your near and dear ones. We are also exploring the possibility of spreading the words of Lord Mahaveer beyond our Jain Community by establishing relationship with many prominent Universities and helping them to offer the courses on Jainism to the non-Jain as well. In coming months you will hear more about these initiatives. Since our last issue of JCSC Connect, we have hosted World Vegetarian & Vegan Day, an initiative of YJA(Young Jains of America) and also many prominent personalities from India, D R Mehta, the ‘Jaipur Foot’ pioneer and Dr Vandana Shiva, an award winning famous environmentalist, scientist, and author, and in turn enriched our self from their inspiring work in their respective fields. Many of you have appreciated our efforts to prepare our food offerings during Swamivatsalya lunches & dinners. Thanks to the efforts and hard work by a team of volunteers who made it possible to prepare these in-house and in turn offering fresh, wholesome food at very substantial savings. Please feel free to contact us to continue to give your valuable suggestions to improve various operations of the Jain Center. Thanks Sincerely, Virendra Shah

Paying it Forward in Pathshala-

“H

By Hina Shah

ow can we help?” “How can we help?” It was the question we heard over and over again, each time genuinely seeking to address the needs of the class and the teachers. The class parents of the second Pathshala Parent & Me class last year (2013-2014) had this unique quality as a group. Right from the beginning of the Pathshala year, parents were highly enthusiastic about helping the teachers. From lending a helping hand during class time, to taking charge for the Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Program, they worked together as a team and very closely with the teachers. Their desire to help reached its highest point towards the end of the year; they wanted to know what they could donate that would help future students. I casually mentioned: “A laptop would be a great tool since the prior year’s parents had donated a projector and a karaoke. Taking advantage of technology will enhance the learning of the incoming students. It would also enable the students to bring their presentations electronically rather than on poster boards’. Though the parents were aware of the fact that such an expensive gift would not benefit their own kids as they would move on to an upper level class, a laptop was ordered immediately to be donated to our class. In the spirit of giving, one of the parents also installed standard software packages before bringing it to the class. These parents have followed true Jain principles - anonymous gyan daan without any expectations. Chetnaben and I are very grateful for this generous gift to the Pathshala Mom & Me II class. We have already started using all these tools for this year’s classes.

Golden Grains of Compassion: The Story of Metärya Muni - By Biren Mehta

etärya Muni was a follower of Lord Mahävir. Once, on a very hot day, Metärya Muni went out for alms from house to house, when he came to the house of a goldsmith. The goldsmith was making small pieces of gold jewelry called gold grains. He welcomed Metärya for alms. While the goldsmith went to the kitchen to get food, a bird flew in and swallowed the gold grains, thinking that the grains were food. Then Metärya muni saw the bird fly to a tree. The goldsmith came out and offered the monk food and after accepting the food, the monk left. When the goldsmith went back to his work, he saw that the gold grains were missing. He looked everywhere but could not find them. He started wondering if the monk might have taken them. He thought the monk might not be a true monk, but actually a thief pretending to be a monk. He ran after the monk and brought him back to his home. He asked the monk if he had taken the grains of gold. The monk said, “No, I have not taken them.” So, the goldsmith asked him, “Who has taken them?” The monk thought that if he told the goldsmith about the bird, he would kill the bird. So he kept quiet. The goldsmith thought that since he didn’t reply, the monk must have been hiding the gold grains. He got angry and started hitting the monk. The monk still kept quiet. The goldsmith became very angry and decided to teach the monk a lesson. He made him stand under the hot sun and tightly tied a wet leather band around his head. As the leather band became dry, it squeezed the monk’s head very hard.

The goldsmith thought that the monk would speak, when he could no longer bear the pain. But he did not realize that this monk was a real monk who was willing to give up his life, to save the life of a bird. The monk suffered severe pain, but did not change his mind about telling the goldsmith what had happened. He didn’t get angry with the goldsmith either. He remained calm by thinking, “This body is only temporary, so why should I worry about it?” He was truly happy that the bird’s life was saved. Due to his good thoughts, the monk attained omniscience (Keval-jnän). At the very moment, the pressure of the band became so intense that he died. His soul was liberated from the cycle of birth and death forever. While the goldsmith was waiting, a woodcutter dropped a bundle of wood. The noise scared the bird and it threw out the grains. The goldsmith could not believe that and felt terrible for doubting the monk. He ran to the monk to let him go, but it was too late.

The letters have fallen down from this phrase. Can you put them back and solve it?

Can you find a way to the temple?

અવસર બહેર બહેર નહીં આવે .. યોગીરાજ શ્રી આનંદઘનજી મહારાજ સાહેબ

Compiled by Mahendrabhai Shah

" અવસર બહેર બહેર નહીં આવે, જ્ય ું જાણે ત્ય ું કરલે ભલાઈ જનમ જનમ સયખ પાવે"

અવસર બહેર બહેર નહીં આવે

અવસર એટલે મોકો, ટાણય,ું તક, સમય. અવસર લગ્ન કે મરણ નાું, ધન સુંચયના કે ધન નાશના, યૌવન કે વ ૃદ્ધ જીવનના. આ બધા તો અનેક વખત મળ્યા પરું ત ય તે કોઈ કાયમી નહીં; બધાજ વવનાશી પરું ત ય શયભ પયણ્ય બળ ઉપાર્જવા સન્માર્ગે, સયપાત્રે દાનાદીક ભાવમાું મનની શયદ્ધદ્ધ ખચી નાખવાના અવસર વારું વાર નહીં આવે. માનવ ખોળીયામાું આ ભલાઈ કરનારો જે અવસર મળ્યો છે તેમાું ભલાઈના જે કાુંઈ કાયય થઇ શકે તે તક ગયમાવ્ય વર્ગર કરીલે કેમ કે માનવ ભવ ફરી ફરી હાથ આવી શકતોજ નથી. જીન મુંદદર, જીન પ્રવતમા, જીનાર્ગમ, સાધય-સાધ્વી, શ્રાવકશ્રાવવકા મળી કયલ સાત ક્ષેત્રો ભક્તત કરવા માટેના ઉત્તમ સયક્ષેત્રો કહ્યા છે . આઠમય ું અનયકુંપા દાન માટેન ય ું ક્ષેત્ર પણ કહ્યું છે . મહાતમા યોર્ગીરાજે જન્મ-જન્માુંતર માું સયખ પામવાનો આ ભક્તત યોર્ગનો સરળ માર્ગય સૌને ઉપયોર્ગી નીવડે તેવો સૌના ભલા ખાતર બતાવ્યો છે - જેમાુંથી સ્વ અને પર બુંન્નેન ય ું આ લોકમાું અને પરલોકમાું દહત થાય છે .

"તન, મન, જોબન સબ હી ઝૂઠા, પ્રાણ પલકમેં જાયે તન છૂટે ધન કૌન કામકો, કાયકય કૃપણ કહાવે"

અવસર બહેર બહેર નહીં આવે

આ સુંસારની સઘળી સાહેબી ઝૂઠી છે . અરે , તારા શ્વાસોશ્વાસ પર ભરોસો રાખી વનવચિંતપણે બેજવાબદારીથી તય ું વતે છે . તારયું પ્રાણ પુંખેરયું એક દદવસ ઉડી જશે. હુંસ વપિંજર છોડી પરલોકની યાત્રાએ ચાલ્યો જશે. આ શરીરમાુંથી ચેતન આતમા નીકળી ર્ગયા પછી તારયું ધન તને શય ું કામ લાર્ગશે? રાજગૃહી નર્ગરીનો અવત ધનાઢ્ય મમ્મણ શેઠ અવત કૃપણ અને ધનનો લોભી. ધન પ્રતયેની ર્ગાઢ્ મ ૂછાય (મમતવ) ના કારણે તે ન ધનને ભોર્ગી શક્યો ન તેન ય ું દાન કરી શક્યો તે મમ્મણ અંતે મરીને સાતમી નરકે ર્ગયો. ચારે કષાયમાું લોભને બધાનો બાપ કહ્યો છે . ધન હો એ કોઈ અન્ય કોઈ પણ વસ્તય હો - પરવસ્તય પ્રતયેની મમતાથી જીવોને ર્ગાઢ્ બુંધ થાય છે તથા જીવની કફોડી હાલત કરનાર આ માયા અને લોભ કષાય છે . માટે કષાયોથી વવરમણ પામવાનય ું અને કષાયોને વોસીરાવવાનય ું કહ્યું છે .

8 “જાકે દદલમેં સાચ બસત હૈ, તાકયું ઝૂઠ ન ભાવે

“�ક� �દલમ� સાચ બસત હ�, તા�ું �ઠ ન ભાવે આનંદઘન પ્ુ ચલત પંથમે સમર� સમર� �ુણ ાાવે”

અવસર બહ�ર બહ�ર નહ� આવે

� ૂવરકાળમાં આય�ના �દયમાં સજજનતાનો, સાચનો વાસ હતો. તેમના �દય સતવસાલી, સાચા અને સરળ હતા. ભલમનસાઈ અને પરોપકાર તેમને હ�યે હતા. �ઠ� સોબત ક� અસત પ� ૃિ� ભાવતી ક� ામતી જ ન હતી. તેથી અનાયાસે, સહ�� સહ��, હાલતાં ચાલતાં તેમનાથી ભલાઇના સારા કાય� થયાજ કરતા હતા. એ તો આનંદઘન આનંદના સ� ૂહ �પ હતા. એ સનમાા� સતના સવામી એવા લોકો સનાતન એવા પ્ુના માાગજ ચાલવા�ુ ં રાખતા હતા. પ્ુને સમરતાં સમરતાં પ્ુ બનવાના માાગ આાળ વધતા રહ�તા હતા. યોાીરાજ આનંદઘન� કહ� છે ક� તમે સજજન થવા ઈચછતા હો તો સંત સમાામ કરો. તેમાં ક�ુ ં �ુમાવવા�ુ ં નથી, એકાંતે લાભ જ છે . સતસંા �વને સાચા ખોટા - હ�ય ઉપદ� ય - �ુ ં ભાન કરાવી જાાડ� છે . શી આનંદઘન� એ પ્ુ પારાતનો � માાર લીધેલો છે તે માાગ � ૂવર �ુ�ષો પણ ચાલેલા છે . વતરમાનમાં પણ � કોઈ આ માાગ ચાલશે તે પ્ુ પતયેની પેમ લકણા ભ�કત�ુ ં પાન કરશે. યોાીરાજ આનંદઘન� ને હાલતાં ચાલતાં પ્ુના �ુણો�ુ ં રટણ રહ�� ુ ં હ�ુ.ં તેમ આનંદઘન એવા પ્ુના પેમી ભકતના �દયમાં પણ પ્ુના �ુણો�ુ ં રટણ હાલતાં ચાલતાં રહા કરશે તો પિવતતાની િનરં તર � ૃ�દ થયા કરશે. ૐ શાંિતઃ શાંિતઃ શાંિતઃ

ભક્તિમાર્ગની આરાધના - ભાર્ 2 By Pravinbhai Mehta

"ભક્તિ પ ૂર્ણિા પામવાને યોગ્ય ત્યારે થાય છે કે એક ત ૃર્માત્ર પર્ હરર પ્રત્યે યાચવ ું નરહ, સવણ દશામાું ભક્તિમય રહેવ.ું " --- શ્રીમદ રાજચુંદ્ર પત્રાુંક 250 અધ્યાત્મ દ્રષ્ટિકોણથી વિચારિાાં ભક્તિના મુખ્ય નિ પ્રકાર શાસ્ત્રમાાં કહ્યા છે . શ્રવર્, કીિણન, ચચિંિવન, વુંદન, સેવન, ધ્યાન, લઘિા, સમિા અને એકિા. આ િખિે આપણે ભક્તિના પહેલા બે પ્રકાર, શ્રવર્ અને કીિણન, વિષે વિચાર કરીશુ.ાં

શ્રવર્ સામાન્ય મનુષ્યને ધમમનો બોધ પ્રથમ તો કથા રૂપે જ ગ્રાહ્ય બને છે . આ કારણથી જૈનદર્મનમાાં પવિત્ર પુરૂષોના જીિનચરરત્રોનુ ાં િણમન કરનાર ર્ાસ્ત્રોને 'પ્રથમાનુયોગ' એવુ ાં નામ આપ્ુ ાં છે . પ્રારાં ભભક સાધનાકાળમાાં ભતિજનોએ ઓછામાાં ઓછાં અઠિાડિયામાાં એક િાર કે બે િાર સત્કથા(પ્રિચન-સ્િાધ્યાય) સાાંભળિા જવુ ાં જોઈએ. જેમ જેમ સાધકને સત્કથામાાં રસ િધિો જશે અને શાાંવિનો અનુભિ થિો જશે િેમ િેમ િે િધારે ડિિસો રૂભચપ ૂિગક કથાશ્રિણ કરશે અને એક ડિિસ વનયવમિ સાધક બની જશે. સત્કથાનો પ ૂરો લાભ મળે િે માિે સત્કથાના સ્થળે પાાંચ વમનીિ િહેલા પહોંચી વિનય-પ ૂિગક પોિાને યોગ્ય સ્થાને બસી, સિગ સાંસારીભાિોને ર્ૌણ કરીને એકાગ્રિાપ ૂિગક સાાંભળી તત્િને ગ્રહણ કરિાથી શીઘ્ર આત્મકલ્યાણની પ્રાતિ િ થાય છે . જેિી રીિે શરીરને િકાિી રાખિા માિે િરરોજ ભોજનની આિશ્યકિા છે , િે પ્રમાણે આત્માની ઉજ્જિળિા િકાિી રાખિા માિે ધમગ સાંબધ ાં ી ઉપિે શ સાાંભળિાની આિશ્યકિા છે . થોિો િખિ ઓરિો ન િાળીએ િો િે અિાિરો થઇ જાય છે , િેમ જો ધમગશ્રિણાડિ દ્વારા ુ શ્રિણ કે આત્માને શુદ્ધ ન કરીએ િો અનેક સાાંસાડરક પ્રસાંર્-પ્રપાંચોથી મભલન થઇ િે દુ ુઃખને પામે છે . આ કારણથી કથાશ્રિણ, પ્રભુગણ શાસ્ત્રશ્રિણનો મોિો મડહમા પ ૂિાગ ચાયોએ પ્રવિપાડિિ કયો છે . જેમ કે – (1) જે (મનુષ્ય તત્િ પ્રત્યે) પ્રીવિિાળાં ભચત્ત કરીને ધમગની િાિાગ પણ સાાંભળે છે િે ભવ્ય ખરે ખર ભાવિમાાં વનિાગ ણને પાત્ર થાય છે . --- શ્રી પ�નાંડિપાંચવિ�શવિ: 4-23 (2) ભર્રુઆ રે તુમ ગુણ િણા, શ્રી િધગમાન જજનરાયા રે , સુણિાાં શ્રિણે અમી ઝરે , મારી વનમગળ થાયે કાયા રે . …ભર્રુઆ રે --- શ્રી યશોવિજયજી કૃ િ મહાિીર સ્િામી સ્િિન આિો ઉત્તમ શ્રિણરૂપી ધમગ ભર્િાન ઋષભિે િ પાસેથી િેમના અઠ્ઠાણુ પુત્રોએ, ભર્િાન મહાિીર સ્િામી પાસેથી શ્રી ર્ૌિમ સ્િામીએ અને શ્રી હેમચાંદ્રાચાયગ પાસેથી મહારાજા કુ મારપાળે ગ્રહણ કરી જીિનને ધન્ય બનાવ્્ુ ાં હતુ.ાં આપણે પણ આ શ્રિણધમગને પ્રેમથી-ભાિથી સ્િીકારી ધન્ય બનીએ.

કીિણન પરમાત્માના ડિવ્ય ગુણોનુ ાં અને ચડરત્રનુ ાં ભાિપ ૂિગક મોિે સ્િરે થી અન્ય જીિો પણ સાાંભળી શકે િેિી રીિે ઉચાચારણ કરવુ ાં િેને કીિણન અથવા સુંકીિણન નામનો ભક્તિનો બીજો પ્રકાર કહે છે . શ્રિણરૂપી ધમગને અંર્ીકાર કરિાથી જેના હૃિયમાાં પરમાત્મા અને સદગુરુ પ્રત્યે પ્રશસ્િ પ્રેમની ઉત્પવત્ત થઇ છે િેિા આરાધક ભતિજનો પોિાના ઇટિ માર્ગિશગકોના ગુણાનુિાિ અને સાંકીિગન કરિા સહજપણે પ્રેરાય છે .

4 10

કીિણનની સાધનાપદ્ધતિ: સામાન્ય રીિે, મન-િચન-કાયાની શુદ્ધદ્ધ સડહિ સાંધ્યાકાળ પછીના સમયે આ સાધના કરિામાાં આિે છે , જેથી અન્ય મનુટયો પણ પોિપોિાના વ્યિસાયમાાંથી વનવ ૃવત્ત મેળિી િેનો લાભ લઇ શકે. આ ર્દ્મપદ્મરૂપ કીિગનના બે પ્રકાર છે . પહેલા પ્રકારમાાં નાના આધ્યાજત્મક પિો, ભજનો, ધ ૂનો બોલાિિામાાં આિે છે અને બીજો પક્ષ િેને ઝીલે છે . આિા ક્રમની સાધનામાાં હામોવનયમ આડિ મ ૃદુ સાંર્ીિના સાધન સડહિ મોિે થી ઉચાચારણ કરી પોિાના અને અન્યના ભાિોને જર્ાિિામાાં આિે છે . બીજા પ્રકારને ‘પારાયણ’ કહીએ. અહીં કોઈ પ્રવસદ્ધ શાસ્ત્રનુ ાં ક્રમશ: િાાંચન કરિામાાં આિે છે , જેમાાં શાસ્ત્રોતિ ચડરત્ર કે તત્િને સમજાિિામાાં આિે છે . ઉત્તમ સુંકીિણનકાર એક તવરલ તવભ ૂતિ: માત્ર ઉચાચ કોડિના આત્મજ્ઞ સાંિ હોય િે જ ઉત્તમ કીિગનકાર થઇ શકે છે , કારણ કે િેની વિવશટિ વસદ્ધદ્ધ માિે પ ૂિગજન્મના પ્રભુપ્રેમના સાંસ્કાર, િિગમાન જીિનમાાં બાળપણથી જ ધમગ અને સિાચારનો અભ્યાસ, શ્રી િે િ-ગુરુ-ધમગ પ્રત્યે અંિરાત્માના આસ્િાિપ ૂિગકની યથાથગ ભક્તિ, છાંિ-સાંર્ીિ-ભાષા-સ્િર પર વિવશટિ પ્રભુત્િ અને લોકોત્તર િાચાશક્તિ ઇત્યાડિ અનેક સુદ્રઢ પાસાઓની આિશ્યકિા છે . આ લૌડકક

અને લોકોત્તર ગુણોના ધારક સાંિ મહાત્મા પાસેથી પ્રભુ-પ્રેમની િાિ સાાંભળિાનો અિસર પ્રા િ થિો એ આ કાળમાાં

મહત્પુણ્યના ઉિયથી જ બની શકે. આિા મહાત્મા જયારે પ્રભુ-ગુરુનો મડહમા કહેિા લાર્ી જાય છે ત્યારે કોઈ િાર િે હભાન ભ ૂલીને ન ૃત્ય કરિા લાર્ે છે , િો કોઈ િાર પ્રભુ-પ્રેમની અવિરિ અશ્રુધારા િહે છે , િો કોઈ િાર અત્યાંિ ભાિવિભોર થઇ જિાથી ર્ળાં ભરાઈ જિાાં િસ-િીસ સેકાંિો સુધી િાગ્ધારા ત ૂિી જાય છે . આ અને આિા અનેક પ્રકારો બનિાાં પોિાનુ ાં સાધનામય જીિન િો પ્રસન્નિાથી ભરાઈ જ જાય છે , પણ આજુ બાજુ ના અનેક મનુટયો પર પણ જાણે કે ડિવ્યિાનો પિ છિાઈ જાય છે અને િત્ક્ષણ પુરિો િેમને શાાંવિનો અનુભિ થાય છે . ભારિીય ભક્તિ-પરાં પરામાાં મધ્ય્ુર્માાં થયેલા ભતિકવિ શ્રી નરવસિંહ મહેિા, સાંિ શ્રી તુકારામ, સાંિવશરોમભણ શ્રી મીરાબાઈ િથા િિગમાનકાળમાાં શ્રી પુવનિ મહારાજે કીિગન- ભક્તિની આરાધના અને પ્રચારમાાં મહત્િનો ભાર્ ભજવ્યો ર્ણાય. સાંકીિગનરૂપી ભક્તિનો અર્ાધ મડહમા ર્ાિાાં સાંિોએ કહ્ુાં છે : 

હે પરમાત્મા! િમારા નામના કીિગનમાત્રથી અમારા જેિા મનુટયોની સામે મનર્મિી લક્ષ્મી (આત્મજ્ઞાનાડિ લક્ષ્મી ) આજ્ઞા માર્િી હાજર થઇ જાય છે . --- શ્રી પ�નાંડિ પાંચવિિંશવિ:13-5



ઇણ વિધ પરખી મન વિસરામી, જજનિર ગુણ જે ર્ાિે, ુ ી મહેર નજરથી, આનાંિઘન પિ પાિે. … હો મતિલ્લજજન --િીનબાંધન

શ્રી આનાંિઘનજી કૃ િ મતિલ્લનાથ સ્િામીનુ ાં સ્િિન

અત્રે સાધકે ખ્યાલમાાં રાખિાનુ ાં છે કે જેના ગુણોનુ ાં કીિગન કરે છે , િેના સ્િરૂપની અને િેના ચાડરત્રની પણ િેણે ભાિના કરિી જોઈએ. સાચા ભાિપ ૂિગક ભર્િાનનુ ાં નામકીિગન કરિાથી કાવયક, િાભચક અને માનવસક શુદ્ધદ્ધની પ્રાતિ િ થિાાં આવધ-વ્યાવધ-ઉપાવધરૂપ ત્રણેય પ્રકારના િાપોનો સમ ૂળ નાશ થઇ જાય છે , વિવશટિ પુણ્યનો ઉિય થાય છે અને પરમાત્મિશગનને યોગ્ય ભ ૂવમકાની પ્રાતિ િ થાય છે . આપણા

જીિનને સાતિત્ત્િકિા અને શાાંવિ આપનાર એિા પ્રભુ-ગુરુ-કીિગનને આપણા રોજબરોજના જીિનમાાં િણી લઈએ એ જ

અભ્યથગના! (શ્રદ્ધે ય પ ૂજ્ય શ્રી આત્માનાંિજી વિરભચિ "ભક્તિમાર્ગની આરાધના" ના આધારે )

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The Royal Path to Liberation – Glad Acceptance

By Rameshbhai Khandhar

he state of inner non-resistance to any external situation enables one to access the unconditioned, unalloyed pure consciousness which is infinitely greater than the Limited Self. The Limited Self is a pseudo sense of The Inner Self; mistakenly, ignorantly perceived by the conscious and subconscious mind. The mind is a huge storehouse of past memories, impressions, unfulfilled desires, shocking departure of loved ones, biases, preconceived notions and other useless stuff. This is an indication of addictive habit of the mind of clinging to the past. All these contents in subconscious mind are simply a shadow of past conditioning. The ignorant person mistakenly believes and perceives himself with a pseudo sense of limited self, arising out of all past conditioning. This wrong belief, delusion does not allow him to see things as they are. The person continuously keeps coloring the unfolding moment by these past conditioning. Harboring ill feelings and emotions prevents the person to be himself. He remains in pseudo egoist conditions, in tense, unease and stressful mode. As a result of these coloring or biasing the present moment, he fails to accept the present moment as it is and reacts to external circumstances. The reaction arises out of past conditioning of the mind. When the person reacts to unfolding moment in his life, he is stuck with that situation and gets lost in external objects and/ or events. This invariably shuts the door, the opportunity, to make connection with the inner self, our true identity. How do we live each unfolding moment to its fullest extent? How can we make each unfolding moment as a stepping stone to the path of liberation? .. by practicing Glad Acceptance with Awareness.

In order to practice Glad Acceptance, we need to do the following: •We must take full responsibility for everything unfolding in our lives. •We need to understand that each unfolding moment brings us exactly what we had asked for, knowingly or unknowingly, in the past. Each unfolding moment is ﬂowering of the seeds we had

planted in the past. We must accept the external circumstances as is without any inner resistance or bias. •We must not ask or expect anything more than what each moment brings through external circumstances. Any expectation is disrespect and denial to the Laws of Universe.

Beneﬁts of Glad Acceptance with Awareness: •With no inner resistance and Glad Acceptance, we are shedding karma as well as not getting any new karmic bondage out of the present moment. •Glad Acceptance stops feeding negative energy required to sustain the content of subconscious mind. As a result, the subconscious mind starts losing its grip. •All the negativity in the subconscious mind is the greatest hindrance to achieving self realization. The process of Glad Acceptance enhances the person’s ability to achieve self realization. •Glad Acceptance increases our ability to see all external objects in its eternal form devoid of forms (e.g. man, woman, animal, angel, etc.) and concept. •Glad Acceptance eliminates the comparative analysis of the situation which drags us into thinking conditioned by egoistic content of the subconscious mind. •During process of Glad Acceptance, the knowing attribute focuses its attention in knowing the Knower and not the external objects reﬂecting in knowing attribute. Thus the Glad Acceptance with awareness allows us to remain in present moment to its fullest extent. It brightens our future with distinct possibility of self realization. It also allows us to re-write our past script in a sense that the adverse effect of past mistakes are either eliminated or reduced before its fruition. The fruits of past good deeds are greatly enhanced. Lord Mahaveer, Chandanbala, Chandkaushik, Arjun Mali, Gaj Sukumar, Maynasundari, and numerous others attained self realization followed by nirvana only through Glad Acceptance with awareness. With Lord Mahaveer’s infinite grace, may we all follow the same path of Glad Acceptance of all unfolding circumstances and events.

Learning Through Stories - By Sushilaben Shah ધર્મકથાનુયોગ ભાગ 3 જીવનનુ ું એક વધુ નાટક - By Sushilaben Shah આપણી કથા આગળ વધે છે . ધનગગરીનો વવચાર શુ ું છે ? એવો કયો સન્ર્ાગમ લેવો છે ? ક્ાું જવુ ું છે ? જયાું સુંતાપ નથી, શાુંવત છે , જયાું પતન નથી, ઉત્થાન છે , જયાું બુંધન નથી, મુક્તત છે . એવો દીક્ષાનો ર્ાગમ જ ર્ારુું અંવતર્ ધ્યેય છે . ધનગગરીના આવા સુદર ું વવચારોથી સુનદ ું ા ઓર પ્રભાવવત થઇ ગઈ. તે ખ ૂબ ભાવપ ૂવમક પ્રણાર્ કરીને બોલી: ર્ારા હદયના બાગર્ાું એક જ ફુલ ખીલ્ુ ું છે . ચાહે ર્ને તેન ુ ું સાવનધ્ય અલપકાગલન નીવડે તેની પરવા નથી. એ પુષ્પ તર્ે છો ધનગગરીકુર્ાર. ભલે ગણત્રીની ઘડીઓ તર્ારી સાથે ગુજારી શકુું, ભલે થોડાક જ કદર્ તર્ારી સાથે ચાલવા ર્ળે . એટલા પણ ર્ારા અહોભાગ્ય ક્ાુંથી? જન્ર્ોથી હુ ું તર્ારી પ ૂજારણ છું. સ્વાર્ી તરીકે તર્ને જ ઉપાસ્યા છે . કોઈની સાથે ઉષ્ર્ારહહત પ્રેર્ર્ાું વર્ષો વવતાવવા કરતાું તર્ારી સાથે થોડીક પળો ગુજારવાનો લહાવો ર્ને લેવા દો. તર્ે એક વાર આ પ્યાસી ધરા પર પ્રેર્ વર્ષામ કરી દો. ર્ારુ જીવન સાથમક કરી દો સ્વાર્ી. પછી હુ ું આપની કોઈ ઈચ્છા, કોઈ વનણમયને આડે નહીં આવુ.ું આટલુું કહેતા કહેતા સુનદ ું ાની આખોર્ાુંથી બોર બોર આંસુ ટપકવા લાગ્યા. હવે શુ ું થાય છે ? સુનદ ું ાની વાત સાુંભળીને ધનગગરી વવચારવા લાગે છે , જો ર્ાત્ર લગ્ન કરવાથી જ સુનદ ું ા રાજી થતી હોય તો ભલેને લગ્ન કરવા પડે. લગ્ન થયા પછી તો ર્ને દીક્ષા લેતા ક્ાું રોકી શકશે? જીવનનુ ું એક નાટક વધુ ભજવી લઉં. સુનદ ું ાનુ ું હદલ પણ નહહ દુભાય અને ર્ને કલયાણનો ર્ાગમ ર્ળી જશે. અને... ધનગગગરીએ સુંર્તી આપી. ખુબ વાજતે ગાજતે ધાર્ધ ૂર્થી તેર્ના લગ્ન થયા. ચોર્ેર હર્ષમ ઉલલાસનુ ું વાતાવરણ છવાઈ ગ્ુ.ું શેઠ શેઠાણીનો આનુંદ સર્ાતો નથી. હદલર્ાું લાખો અરર્ાન સર્ાવી નવવધુના સોળ શણગાર સજી સુનદ ું ા પ્રીતર્ની પ્રતીક્ષા કરવા લાગી. આખરે ધનગગરી આવ્યો. વનલેપ ભાવે તેની સાર્ે બેઠો, પછી ખુબ જ ગુંભીર વાણીર્ાું બોલયો: સુનદ ું ા, આપણા લગ્ન થઇ ગયા. તારી ર્નોકાર્ના પ ૂરી થઇ, હવે ર્ારી ઈચ્છા પ ૂરી થવા દે . ર્ારો અંતરઆત્ર્ા ર્ને દીક્ષા લેવા પ્રેરી રહ્યો છે . ર્ને રજા આપ. પહેલી જ રાત, કેવો ઝાટકો લાગે. પણ, સુનદ ું ા બહુ જ ચતુર અને બુધ્ધ્ધશાળી હતી. જગતર્ાું �ી જાવતને શુ ું અર્થી જ ર્ાયાવી કહી હશે? સુનદ ું ાએ �ીચહરત્ર આદ્ુ.ું ખુબ જ સ્નેહ નીતરતા સાદે સુનદ ું ા બોલી: સ્વાર્ીનાથ, આપની ઈચ્છા ર્ારા ર્ાટે આજ્ઞા છે . અને તે હુ ું વશરોર્ાન્ય કરુું છું. પરું ત,ુ ર્ારી એક નાનકડી અરજ છે . ર્ારી ર્ાત ૃત્વની ઝુંખના પ ૂરી કરતા જાવ. આપનાથી એક પુત્ર થઇ જાય તો હુ ું આપની કૃપા ર્ાનીશ. એ પુત્રના સહારે હુ ું ર્ારુું જીવન પસાર કરી લઈશ. એથી વધારે હુ ું કોઈ અપેક્ષા નહહ સેવ,ુ ું પછી આપ ર્રજીના રાજા છો. ખુશીથી દીક્ષા લઇ લેજો. હુ ું આડે નહહ આવુ.ું હુ ું આપને કદાપી નહહ રોકુું.

જુઓ �ી ચરિત્ર - મધુિ વાણી, નયનોમાાં નીિ, ચહેિા ઉપિ ઉદાસીનતા અને સુદિ ાં િજુઆત. ધનગિિીનો વૈિાગ્યભાવ જાણે ક્ષણભિ માટે કાંપી િયો. તેન ુ ાં હૃદય દયાદ્ર થઇ િયુ.ાં સુનદ ાં ાની વાતમાાં એ આવી િયો. ભલભલા ડિી જાય છે તે આનુ ાં નામ. માયાના મોહપાશમાાં ધનગિિી લપેટાયો. સુનદ ાં ાની વાત એણે સ્વીકાિી લીધી. અને સુનદ ાં ા થઇ િઈ િાજીના િે ડ. વવિહના આંસુ, હર્ષના આંસુ બનીને વહેવા લાગ્યા. તેની યુક્તત બિાબિ કામયાબ નીવડી. કાયમની વવિહની પળને તેણે પિાસ્ત કિી હતી. હવે તો સુનદ ાં ાના રદવસો સાંસાિમાાં સુખેથી પસાિ થવા લાગ્યા. ધનગિિીની સાથે તે આનાંદથી િહેવા લાિી. કાળાાંતિે સુનદ ાં ાને આધાન િહ્ુ.ાં એક રદવસ િાત્રીના અંવતમ પ્રહિમાાં ધનગિિીને સુદિ ાં સ્વપ્ન આવયુ.ાં અષ્ટાપદ તીથષમાાં જે દે વતાને િૌતમ સ્વામીએ દે શના આપી હતી, તે જ દે વતાએ પોતાના જન્મ વવર્ે સ્વપ્નમાાં સાંકેત આપ્યો, એટલે કે તે દે વતાના જીવે સુનદ ાં ાના િભષમાાં વાસ કયો. બીજા રદવસે ધનગિિીએ સુનદ ાં ાને સ્વપ્નદશષનની વાત કિી અને જણાવયુ ાં કે તાિી કુખે ઉત્તમ પુત્ર અવતિશે. આ વાત વનવિત છે . તાિી ઈચ્છા હવે પ ૂણષ થશે, દે વી. હવે તુ ાં વવના વવલાંબે માિો દીક્ષાનો માિષ મોકળો કિ. તાિી તમન્ના હતી માિી સાથે લગ્ન કિવાની તે મેં પ ૂિી કિી. તુ ાં ઈચ્છતી હતી સુદિ ાં પુત્રને, જે તને પ્રાપ્ત થવાનો જ છે . તાિી બાંને મનોકામનાઓ પ ૂિી થઇ. હવે તો તાિે માિો ભવસાથષકનો માિષ મોકળો કિવો પડશે. ધનગિિીની યથાથષ વાત સાાંભળી સુનદ ાં ા લાચાિ થઇ િઈ. હવે તે શુ ાં કિી શકે. તેણે સમજીને ચુપકીદી સેવી. સુનદ ાં ાનુ ાં મૌન એ ધનગિિી માટે સાંમવત હતી. પળવાિ પણ િોકાયા વવના, સાપ પોતાની કાાંચળી ઉતાિે તેમ ધનગિિીએ પરિવાિ, પત્ની અને સાંસાિના સવે સુખો ત્યાિી દીધા. સાંબધ ાં ોની બેડીઓ ત ૂટી િઈ. મુતત વમજાજના પાંખીએ મુક્તતના િિન ભણી ઉડયન આદયુ.ું નિિી નિિી, દ્વાિે દ્વાિે , ભ્રમણ કિે છે ધનગિિી... ગુરુની શોધમાાં. ગુરુ મળે તો દીક્ષા મળે . આ છે અંતિની આશા. અને તેના ભાગ્ય ખુલી િયા. તેને મળી િયા, એક આચાયષ વસિંહગિિીજી. વસિંહગિિીની વનશ્રા પામી ધનગિિી થઇ િયો હર્ાષક્ન્વત. ડૂબતાને જાણે તિણુ ાં મળયુ.ાં ભ ૂખ્યાને ભોજન મળયુ.ાં ધનગિિીનાાં હૈયે આનાંદનો કોઈ પાિ નથી. ગુરુએ ધનગિિીની આંખમાાં શ્રધ્ધાના આંજણ જોયા, વાણીમાાં નમ્રતા જોઈ, વવવેકપ ૂવષકનો વયવહાિ જોયો. આ બધા જ દીક્ષાથીના લક્ષણ જોઇને આચાયષ આનાંરદત થઇ િયા. વસિંહગિિીએ ધનગિિીને દીક્ષા દીધી અને તેનો મનોિથ ફળયો. સમયની સિીતા તો વહી જાય છે . સુનદ ાં ાના સાિા રદવસોની ફલશ્રુવત રૂપે તેના ઘેિ એક તેજસ્વી પુત્રનો જન્મ થયો. કેટલો સુદિ ાં તેજસ્વી પુત્ર. નભનો ચાંદ્રમાાં જાણે ધિતી પિ ઉતિી આવયો. સુનદ ાં ાના સ્નેહીજનોમાાં હર્ોલ્લાસની લાિણી પ્રસિી. શુભ પ્રસાંિે બધાએ વધાઈ આપી. “પણ, હાય! શુ ાં નસીબ છે આ બાળકનુ?ાં દે વ જેવો બાળક પેદા થયો અને આ પ્રસાંિે વપતા જ િેિહાજિ, અિે િે ! રકસ્મતની વક્રતા તો જુઓ. આજ એનો બાપ અહીં હોત તો પુત્રના જન્મની ખુશાલીમાાં શુ ાં મહોત્સવ ન યોજાત? ‘ધણી વવનાના ઢોિ સ ૂનાાં’ એના જેવી છે આ વાત. સિા બાપ જેવી લાિણી બીજા કોને હોય? કોણ ઉજવે આ શુભ પળ? મુઈ સુનદ ાં ાનુ ાં ભાગ્ય જ એવુ ાં છે . બાળકના કમષ પણ એવા કાઠા ને! બાપે તો સાધુ વેશ કાઢયો છે , દીક્ષા લઈને ક્ાાંય ફિતો હશે. કેવો હઠીલો બાપ કહેવાય? અિે ! છોકિાનાાં જન્મ સુધી પણ ન િોકાઈ શક્ો, ને દીક્ષા લેવા દોડી િયો!” સુનદ ાં ાની સહેલીઓના આવા કટુ વચનો નવજાત વશશુના કાને પડયા; "…ને દીક્ષા લેવા દોડી િયો". વધુ આવતા અંકે...

Giants Group of Chowpatty

by Jayana Shah

During the natural disaster of Uttarakhand in 2013, Jain Center of Southern California did Successful fund raising event and collected more than $85,000. Giants Group of Chowpatty is one of the charity groups in India we worked with to adopt and rebuild 2 schools in the area and also contributed funds for Jivdaya . The two schools were: 1) 2)

Sarswati Vidhya Mandir, Karprayag Chamoli with 250 students Rashtriya Inter College, Thatyut with 715 students

Giant Group has adopted and rebuilt total of 8 schools

Giants Group of Chowpatty is a non-profit Organization that provides assistance to needy without any distinction of cast or creed. They provide for artificial limbs, Chemo therapy to cancer patients, Dialysis to kidney patients and also provide crutches & wheel chairs on a monthly basis as necessary to underprivileged people. They even arrange for meals for the relatives of poor hospitalized patients at TATA Memorial hospital. They adopt blind children from villages and provide lodging and boarding at Blind schools in Mumbai. One of the major projects they have on their hand is adopting young girls from villages, providing them with education and helping them get jobs so they can be self-sufficient, otherwise they would have been pushed to flesh trade by their own families. They also conduct yearly Samuh Vivah in Adivasi villages. Besides above regular projects, they participate in Jivdaya work by preventing butchers from illegally transporting animals to slaughter houses, arranging to send them to Panjarapol and supporting their needs. Whenever there are natural calamities in the country, they rise to the challenge:Medical camp after Kutch earthquake, rehabilitation after Tsunami in south, Medical camp for victims of Kargil war, etc.

Their Uttarakhand relief program is still an ongoing activity. From 10th day of disaster their own members went and started distributing food grains, tents, solar lamps, clothes and kitchen utensils to around 3000 families stranded on hills. They also daily distributed 3-10 trucks (RS 80,000 per truck) of fodder/grass for animals in the affected villages for almost 3 months.

Rashmibhai Jhaveri – President of Giants Group of Chowpatty (father of Kalpesh Jhaveri – EC member) informed us that during the latest calamites in Jammu/Kashmir, members of the group themselves went there to survey. They started 4 medical camps on different hills with 3 doctors, 2 assistants and an ambulance full of medicines and equipment. In 4 days they provided medical assistance to 758 villagers. Acute patients were transferred to Jammu hospital. During the medical camp they distributed 500 kits of food, solar lamps, utensils and blankets, 260 school kits for children and provided fodder/grass to animals for 15 days till the water receded. They adopted a school and rebuilt it at a cost of Rs.6,50,000. They are planning to help villagers to build homes by providing the material (villagers are prepared to build themselves). Material cost will be Rs 25-30,000 per house. One of the trusts in Mumbai has donated 600 homes so far. Rashmibhai thanks JCSC members for their contribution during the Uttrakhand relief program. He is inviting you to participate in any of the following projects:

1) Jivdaya: Purchase of land for growing grass Drilling wells in Panjrapol for water for animals Medical Dispensary for animals (Rs.2-10lacs) 2) Adopting schools in Jammu for rebuilding (Rs.5-15 lacs) 3) Providing housing material for rebuilding destroyed houses (Rs.25-30 thousand per house) 4) Providing medicine Charitable hospitals (they buy directly from manufacturers at 60-70% discount). If you need more details of any of the programs or want to donate please contact: Rashmibhai Shah – 91-222-4460042 Kalpesh Shah – 213-910-0204 Jayana Shah – 714-856-4256

Compassion has no Boundaries

By Jayana Shah

Stephanie Pollaro, 32, and Wendy Hicks, 30, co-founded the non-profit organization International Sanctuary to help child victims of the sex trade industry in India. Pollaro lives in Mumbai, and trains the girls in the art of jewelry making and Hicks handles the business from Orange County. Stephanie had just graduated with a master's in counseling from Long Beach State in 2003 when a friend, figuring she'd have some time to kill while job hunting, gave her some fashion magazines. Sun bathing by the pool in the backyard of her parent's Fountain Valley home one day, she flipped through the pages of Marie Claire and happened upon a story about human trafficking; specifically about a woman intercepting girls being sold into sexual slavery at the border of Nepal. Stephanie had never heard of human trafficking. She didn't even believe it. She went inside and typed "human trafficking" into her computer. Thousands of entries popped up. Some websites put the number of new people enslaved each year at 1 million. Many are children. She knew she had to do something. "But what is some white girl in Orange County gonna do to help Indian girls and enslaved people," she asked herself? "I had never even thought about India for a vacation." Stephanie didn't tell anyone that the job hunt was off and the soul search was on, but instead began to pray for direction. "What's my role in this?" she asked. "How do I get to India?"

The next Sunday, at Rock Harbor in Costa Mesa, her prayers were answered. At the end of the service the pastor announced the church had organized a trip to India. "Oh my God," she remembers thinking. "I guess I'm going to India." The trip came at Christmas time. For two weeks she fed the hungry. As soon as the trip was over she signed up for the next trip the following Christmas. It was on that second trip that she met Wendy Hicks, who was teaching at Handy Elementary in Orange, at the Orange County. Stephanie graduated in 1994 from Ocean View High in Huntington Beach. Wendy graduated in 1996 from Dana Hills High. Now they were on a bus rolling through rural India. The sun was coming up. And Stephanie was telling Wendy about her dream to move to India and work with women in the Red Light District.

A year later, back in Fountain Valley, Stephanie's visa came through. She sold everything she owned at a garage sale and flew to India. For the next year, she worked with women in rural villages. In the summer of 2007, Stephanie returned home for a visit. Wendy had recently returned to Orange after a year teaching children in Cambodia. The two had kept in touch and now made a plan. By fall, Stephanie boarded yet another airplane, this one headed for Mumbai, with an e-mail address of a woman who works with an international organization that rescues girls, some as young as 5, who have been sold into sexual slavery by their parents or stolen from their homes. In the hands of the pimps, the girls are starved and beaten and locked in rooms to deprive them of light. The rescue organization that Stephanie contacted has undercover operatives who arrange to have sex parties in hotel rooms. When the girls are brought to the hotel, police are waiting. The girls are spirited away to safe houses where they live until they are 18. But with no skills or education or family, they have little hope for a future. The woman with the rescue organization finally returned Stephanie's e-mail a few weeks after she arrived in Mumbai. Stephanie told the woman her idea -- To teach the girls in the safe houses how to make jewelry, letting them keep the profits and giving them a skill. The plan was on. The girls, most between the ages of 13 and 15, got their first payment in April and some of the more eager jewelry makers have already saved several hundred dollars. After the girls are paid, the rest of the money goes to buying more beads. Stephanie scours the marketplaces of Mumbai, navigating piles of trash and rats and monsoons. Sometimes Wendy flies to India, but mostly she runs their nonprofit International Sanctuary from Orange County, handling sales on isanctuary.org or selling the jewelry at house parties and festivals. The girls, at first distrustful, now love Stephanie. They hug her and play with her long hair and call her "sister." "You know that first time you came," one of the girls recently asked her? "I didn't believe you were ever coming back." For first few years neither of them drew any salary. Their parents supported them financially. Over the years the organization has grown bigger: Moved in bigger facility in Mumbai to accommodate more girls, Advisory team and Board of Directors in Orange County are making sound decisions for stable growth, and have chapters in San Francisco and Kansas.

From Angulimala to Ahinsak

ne day after his meal, Buddha went out from the monastery and walked towards a dense forest. Watching him go in the direction of forest, people working in the fields warned him about the dreaded Angulimala who lived there. Who was this Angulimala that everyone was so afraid of? Angulimala hailed from a well-to-do Brahmin family and at one time he was a brilliant student at the University of Takshashila, the Harvard of India in those times. At Takshashila, other students were jealous of him and succeeded in poisoning the teacher’s mind against him. The teacher asked for an impossible honorarium (Guru Dakshina), a thousand human right-hand little fingers. Unbelievably, instead of giving up and quietly going home without graduating, the young man set out to collect the fingers to fulfill his teacher’s aagna.. He quickly realized that people were reluctant to give up their little fingers. He decided to resort to violence and started killing people in order to obtain those fingers. He then realized that he had nowhere to store these fingers so he decided to string them around his neck. For this gruesome and growing garland of bloody fingers he was nicknamed Angulimala which means ‘finger garland’.

- By Tarang Shah

weapons and dashed out to murder Buddha and complete his score. He expected to easily overtake him and quickly finish the job. However, a very strange thing happened. Even though the Buddha was only walking, serene and unhurried, Angulimala, despite his formidable strength and speed, found he couldn’t catch up with him. Eventually, exhausted, angry, frustrated and soaked with sweat, Angulimala screamed at Buddha to stop. Buddha turned around and with neither anger nor fear, spoke quietly and directly to him telling him that had already stopped. He explained that he had stopped killing and harming other living beings and that now it was time Angulimala, to do likewise. Angulimala was so struck by these words that heasked Buddha if the person who had done so many crimes could now stop and become good.Buddha lovingly replied that he could and that it was never too late to make amends. He added that the moment of realization was the moment of enlightenment, of awakening, to a fresh start. Buddha’s compassion and love melted Angulimala’s heart and he bowed

Angulimala, peering out from his cave, spotted Buddha coming towards him. Anugulimala had already collected nine hundred and ninety-nine little fingers and was one short to reach the desired number of 1000 fingers. This powerful and athletic serial killer, who had already successfully resisted several attempts to catch him by the King’s troops, grabbed his

down at Buddhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet. He stopped the violence from that very moment and threw away his weapons. He followed Buddha back to the monastery where he became a monk. He was now a changed man. Buddha gave him a new name, Ahinsak (non-violence). Later, the King Pasenadi, ignorant of what had happened, came with his troops to arrest Angulimala. He stopped by the monastery to pay his respects to Buddha and to inform him of his mission to catch Angulimala. Buddha asked the King what his reaction would be if he were to discover that amongst this assembly of monks sat Angulimala. The King was shocked to hear that such a foul and evil person could now be a Buddhist monk sitting amongst such exalted company. Then Buddha pointed out towards Ahinsak. The King paid his respects to Ahinsak and told Buddha how incredible it was that what he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do by force and weapons, Buddha did it so effortlessly with compassion and love. Ahinsak went through many internal and external battles and stayed calm and peaceful against the retaliation of the villagers who attacked and beat him with stones and sticks for the harm he had brought to them. Buddha told the villagers about how transformed Ahinsak was through an incident where Ahinsak saved lives of a mom and her baby and was willing to give away fruits of all his sadhana just to save their lives. Once Ahinsak got badly injured when the villagers attacked him ina frenzy of hate. Bleeding and torn he managed to return to the monastery whereBuddha encouraged him to bear his torment with equanimity as he was experiencing the fruition of of his karma. He endured his sufferings and attained Enlightenment at the feet of Buddha. The story of Angulimala teaches us that the possibility of enlightenment exists even in the most extreme of circumstances. One can turn around from bad behavior at any moment in life,, no matter how far one has traveled the wrong path.People can change and are best influenced by compassion and unconditional love.

Importance of a Guide in the Spiritual Journey

- By Hiren Shah

he Jain Study Group (JSG) sessions have been the platform for me to start my journey to undestand true religion, which is to know myself. Jain Center is also the place where I, for the first time, learned about soul, its properties, 6 ‘Dravya’, 9 ‘Tatva’, and much more. I soon experienced that the more I learned various Jain principles, the more I realized how little I knew. Such thought made me humble but also overwhelmed me. I began reading some scriptures, but without proper direction I neither completed any of them, nor I knew which ones were right for my spriritual progress. Furthermore, I expected immediate improvment in my life by putting everything I learnt into practice. With such preconceived notions I concluded that my life was getting further complicated instead of simplifying. I began asking myself, ‘How is learning about myself and practicing religion helping me in my day-to-day life?’ What helped me overcome such confusion was the teaching discussed in JSG sessions from Shrimad Rajchandra (Param Krupaludev) on finding a guide, who has experienced what I want to experience, and diligently following his guidance. This message seemed very logical and made lot of sense to me as that’s how I have learned everything in life - from walking to earning an MBA degree. I then began my quest of finding a guide by praying to Krupaludev, attending various satsangs and shibirs, and other sessions focused on spirituality. With the help of some fellow mumukshus and further analysis of Krupaludev’s teachings, I began following a self-realized soul some time in 2011. In my initial interactions with the spiritual leader I felt skeptical about his discourses and felt that I knew better than him. Also, I addressed questions to

him that were more focused on my worldly isuses than spirituality. Although I received guidance on both spirtual and wordly isuses, I mostly worked on improving the worldly matters. Neither of the two were easy to follow. I was initially reluctant to obey His guidance as it was vastly different from how I thought of everything in life. However, I gave it a try as it was very practical in nature. After months of trial and error, I experienced positive results in improving worldly life from managing relationships with family members to colleagues/customers. Yet, there were instances that remained the same for which He gave me very unique perspectives of handling such situations without compromising spiritual progress. For example, judging others without giving benefit of doubt was my natural instinct. I focused on others’ shortcomings, especially of coworkers, customers, family, or friends, that most of the time led to frustration and anger. I would realize, after the fact, that such attitude was uncalled for, how I was wrong, and how I should not repeat myself. I, however, continued to find myself fall into this trap. His guidance of practical “bhaav purushaarth” made the real dfference in the outcome. The simple, yet profund personal guidance was to continuously having positive thoughts towards all living beings, even towards “ashubh” (unfavorable) relationships. His guidance was scientific in nature and required me to carry it out with the right understanding, instead of blind faith. It included three systematic concepts: 1) efforts of keeping ‘shubh bhaav’ in ‘ashubh’ relationships reduces karma bondage; 2) ‘ashubh’ relationships are a huge hindrance to one’s spiritual progress, 3) developing ‘shubh’ relationships eventually removes obstacles in the spiritual journey.

Practicing these steps was a jouney lead by the guide that gave me calmness and happiness inside me in most situations that I never felt before. The positive outcome in my behavior was evident to my wife, who made a note of the lack of stress and frustration related to office work.

entity, but an integral part of me, and I devote my time on daily basis on Nityakram (morning prayer) and an hour of reading with contemplation. His guidance, in the form of teachings and books, has sparked an awareness that stays with me throughout the day in all circumstances.

After almost two years of focused efforts on worldly improvements, I realized how patiently and lovingly my guide transformed my inner self without any expectations. I experienced what selfless love truly is, and not just for me but for everyone who seeks his guidance. This unconditional love coerced me to improve my spiritual efforts that I was lacking previously. With the grace of Param Kruapaludev and my loving guide, religion is no longer an external

I find myself on the right track in the journey of knowing my true self, which started with attending JSG sessions that threw light on the existence of the soul and the need for a guide for spiritual development. Above all, this helped me overcome my preconceived notions about religion, which is a major obstacle in one’s spiritual advancement. My sincere “shubh bhaav” that all living beings discern the importance of a guide and find one to uplift their souls to the heights of spiritual progress.

Practicing Anekantavada - By Tejas Modi

ne of the core and unique principles of Jainism is Anekantvada, which means multiplicity and relativity of viewpoints. In Jainism, there is a resistance to philosophical dogmatism and religious tolerance is encouraged because religious views are approached as differing perspectives of the same truth. Anekantvada teaches us that we should not impose our own thoughts or views on others, but should try to reconcile with the thoughts or view-points of others. The principle of Anekantvada has touched me personally and made me more open-minded to others’ perspectives. Implementing this principle in my life has accelerated my personal & professional growth and I am lot calmer and peaceful now than ever before. Being aware of Anekantvada has helped me with friends/family and business situations. In business situations we go through negotiations with customers, vendors, employees, etc. all the time. Even though I am very clear about the ultimate objective (which is whatever makes the most sense for the business); but having Anekantvada as part of my belief system has helped me to do a lot more things which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. It has helped me greatly to not be stuck on my point of view only and enabled me to work out mutually beneficial agreements for both parties. One example that comes to mind is when we were moving offices and I wanted something specific but when I checked with my colleagues they were able to specify exactly what we needed. During negotiations with the new landlord we were able to work out a win-win situation where they would get the rent and it would also not end up costing us too much and make it easily affordable. Similarly, in situations with friends & family, many times we come across numerous conflicting viewpoints. Staying vigilant about Anekantvada has helped me resolve those conflicts in a peaceful way and bring harmony to all my relationships.

Coconut Green Curry with Corn (vegan, gluten-free) By Anjali Lalani For as long as I can remember, people have always asked my mom to make this dish when they were invited over for dinner to our house. It’s a favorite, especially with the kids. My husband and I love this dish, and it’s now become a favorite in our household. This brilliant green curry is based on a blend of simple spices, coconut milk, and cilantro marinated with some corn. I usually end up using frozen corn for this dish and highly recommend buying the sweet yellow corn from Trader Joe’s. I’ve always found their frozen corn to be very tasty and sweet! For more recipes, visit http://vegetariangastronomy.com/ .

Ingredients

1 16-oz can coconut milk 1 bunch cilantro, washed (most of the stems removed) 1/2 16-oz. package frozen corn (or 5 fresh corn cobs) 1 fresh green jalapeno (or more for spicier curry) roasted peanuts, finely chopped salt sugar (optional)

Directions

In a blender, combine the coconut milk, cilantro, and green chili pepper. Puree until all the cilantro is completely blended into the coconut milk. Pour into a pot and place over medium/high heat. When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to achieve a gentle simmer. Stir until the mixture starts to thicken. If using frozen corn kernels, completely defrost the corn and add it to the curry (note: be sure to drain out most of the water from the frozen corn before adding it in). If using fresh corn, cut some of the cobs into 4 whole pieces, and cut kernals off of the others. Mix into the pot with the curry. Bring the curry to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking, slightly covered until the sauce is smooth, green, and thick (note: this may take awhile). Add salt to taste. (Note: if the corn is not that sweet, you can add a very small amount of sugar to taste). Reduce the heat to low and add the crushed roasted peanuts, stirring for about 2 more minutes. Remove from heat, let it sit for a few minutes. Serve hot with some homemade tortilla, naan, or rice. Anjali Lalani is the author of Vegetarian Gastronomy, a website dedicated to Vegetarian, Eggless Cooking with many Vegan & Gluten-Free options. She shares her culinary experiences and passion for cooking through her myriad of recipes. Through her website, she hopes to inspire people to cook, create, and try different dishes and ﬂavors in their own homes. To learn more about Anjali and her site, visit http://vegetariangastronomy.com/ .

Behind the Scenes with JCYC

ach year, more than 100 people volunteer their time and expertise in support of the largest Jain Pathshala program in North America. Biren Shah provides a behind the scenes look at what keeps this program so successful!.

Question: Sailes Uncle, you have been the underlying force and Principal of JCYC since its inception. Can you give us some background on the JCYC Program?

Sailes Jain: JCYC (Jain Center Youth Council) was established more than 25 years back. Pathshala program has grown to a very large proportion from its infancy. Today, we have 100 volunteers to support all aspects of the program, including religion classes, language classes (Gujarati and Hindi), and winter camp. Our Pathshala now stands at 400 students and is considered one of the best in the nation. Our goal is,” Not to just inform but transform our children”, as one of our teachers, Amita Desai puts it.

Question: What are all the aspects to running this program and how is the leadership organized?

Sailes Jain: JCYC is organized as an institute. There are several important aspects to running this program including registration, curriculum, books, printing, copying, traffic control, recruiting teachers and volunteers, coordinating each group of teachers, communication with parents, food, children’s extracurricular activities, JCYC committee and its selection process, coordination with Jain Center events, schedule and some more.

Question: Narendra Uncle, you are the one of the many volunteers working behind the scenes. Fortunately, our registration program has become more automated over the years. What changes would you want to see in the future?

Narendra Jain: JCYC Pathshala registration for each year has greatly improved over the past 15 years or so. It has grown from a paper based registration and register based record keeping, to Excel based record keeping, to fully on-line registration. We even went one step ahead and added online payment using Credit Cards for Pathshala student registration. Over the next few years we want to make the website accessible via smart phones and tablet devices and to be able to

track student attendance easily.People as far away as India, can enjoy the activities happening in the Jain Centerwhich are so much appreciated that we have received specific donations of as much as $1000 just for webcasting fund.

Question: Binaben, you have been volunteering for JCYC for over 15 years, most recently as the Ofﬁce Manager for JCYC, overseeing the Administrative functions of Pathshala and Security duties. Can you tell us how these areas have evolved and where you see it going?

Bina Doshi: My goal is to streamline all the functions and responsibilities. I want to implement some of the same features schools have without it feeling like another school day.

For example, classroom roll call has been redesigned and allows email notifications to go out to parents if a student is absent. We are now in the process of improving the system so teachers can input roll call using iPads. Recently, we have introduced a morning prayer and meditation session for all students prior to beginning the class session. I am proud to see how this further unites our community. Soon we will begin the important discussion of how to redesign the post-office building to best address our future needs.

Question: : Poorviben, in additiona to teaching, you are intimately involved with the content and delivery of the entire program. With over 60 teachers covering religion, Gujarati, and Hindi, how does the program recruit, train, and promote effectiveness of the classes? Poorvi Parekh: Sailesbhai has been the principal and the architect of the Pathshala program. He has hand-picked individuals for both teacher and volunteer positions. For teachers, he has chosen those that have knowledge about Jain religion and a level of passion, but more importantly, are able to relate to the children and understand their perspectives. Each teacher brings a slightly different style to their teaching but one thing that Sailesbhai is particular about is that each teacher promotes plurality and stresses on the broad Jain principles without being biased towards one sect or the other. More recently we have been drawing from the JCYC alumni to add a younger teacher in each class.

Question: : What has been the impact of bringing in JCYC alumni to help teach the class?

Poorvi Parekh: : This has created a two-fold advantage. The younger teacher is often closer to the popular social and cultural elements that the students are immersed in and therefore can often bridge the gap between concepts and day to day application by relating the concepts to examples and analogies that the students are familiar with. It also allows the younger teacher to strengthen their own understanding of the various religious topics

and prepares them to take on a more leading role as a teacher in the class. We have seen a lot of enthusiasm from this next generation of teachers and are very optimistic about the direction in which the program is headed.

Question: : Can you tell us about the Curriculum of the program and how you see that changing going forward?

Poorvi Parekh: : We have also worked over the years with JAINAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education program to promote the standardization of teaching material across all the Jain Centers in North America. A lot of work has been done on the material for religion class over the last 20 years. More recently there has been a lot of structure put around the language classes as well. Every few years we have an opportunity to revisit our curriculum and enhance it. With the addition of the Toddler class for 3-4 year olds, we find the younger children are capable of learning more complex topics in the subsequent classes. We are currently revising some of the curriculum in light of this.

Question: Rupaben, you are responsible for coordinating lunch duty. The noon rush to the parking garage is all too familiar a sight. Organizing the snack duty seems like a daunting task. How is the current format working out? What challenges arise in coordinating it? Rupa Shah: year we started mandatory sign up for lunch duty prior to registration which has worked out well so far. Going forward, the challenge to manage is that half of pathshala lunches are sponsored by nonpathshala parents and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t currently have a way to register them to manage the lunch schedules. Fortunately, those groups are very cooperative. On a more personal note, I wish people would be more flexible changing the group or welcoming new parents in their group. as a teacher in the class. We have seen a lot of enthusiasm from this next generation of teachers and are very optimistic about the direction in which the program is headed.

Many thanks to all the JCYC volunteers!!! 25

Vegan Day at the Jain Center By Sheenika Shah

< Please use photos from this link in the article http://andyshahphotography.pass.us/vegan/. >

ain Center of Southern California (JCSC) was proud to host the 1st Annual World Compassion & Vegan Day on Saturday, November 1, 2014. In conjunction with JAINA, Young Jain Professionals, Young Jains of America and JCSC Wellness Program, Jain Center was able to host over 80 people at the temple for a video presentation, a vegan/Jain lunch with many samples, and a health education panel. This was also an attempt to bridge the gap between Jain religion and the vegan lifestyle. Many of the participants believed it was the right transition to make - in alignment with Jain principles.

A few highlights from the event are: 1. Pathshala Students - Research Posters 2. Anjali Lalani Demo 3. Health Education Panel - Dr. Amy G. Shah, M.D. - Dr. Bindesh A. Shah, M.D. - Dr. Malini Shah, M.D. - Aditi Shah, MPH (Dietitian) 4. Vegan/Jain lunch catered by Jay Bharat 5. Indu Jain (green smoothies, sprouts, wheatgrass) 6. Rekha Shah (vegan and Jain khichadi packets) 7. Brownies, bundi and penda 8. Kesar pista ice cream made by Shailes Shah This event was possible because of the countless volunteers who made this event possible, including help in the kitchen, serving, arranging the facility, A/V setup, photography/videography, and clean-up. It was a true TEAM effort by the Jain Center community. To continue the momentum, please visit CompassionGames.org. You can track your compassionate acts on this website.

Pictures of Volunteers on Vegan Day

Health Education Panel

Below are some of the links for you to continue the conversation with your friends and family: Videos and Handouts 1) Jain Muni Shri Viharsh Sagar ji Maharaj Saheb video about giving up dairy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPMB-lnkAtg

Non-Profit Organizations 1) Vegan Outreach – http://www.veganoutreach.org/

2) Dr. Nandita Shah from SHARAN – http://sharan-india.org/videos/

2) Wildlife Waystation – http://wildlifewaystation.org/

3) Forks Over Knives documentary (for purchase) – https://www.youtube.com/user/ForksOverKnives

3) Compassion Over Killing and the Vegetarian Guide to Los Angeles – http://cok.net/ and http://cok.net/wp-content/ uploads/literature/VegLosAngeles2012.pdf

4) Handout from Health Education Panel featuring speaker bios, resources for foods with calcium and protein, and “build your own smoothie” – http://www.jaincenter.org/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2014/11/Health-Panel-Bios.pdf Recipes (JAIN and VEGAN) 1) Four Bean Quinoa Veggie Tacos – http://www.jaincenter.org/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2014/11/VG-Recipe-Four-Bean-QuinoaVeggie-Tacos.pdf 2) Coconut Green Curry with Corn – http://www.jaincenter.org/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2014/11/VG-Recipe-Coconut-Green-Currywith-Corn.pdf

Blogs 1) Vegetarian Gastronomy (Anjali Lalani’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free blog) - http://vegetariangastronomy.com/ 2) Amy G. Shah, M.D. – http://amyshahmd.com/ 3) Pinki’s Palate – http://pinkispalate.wordpress.com/

3) Blueberry Banana Breakfast Cookies – http://www.jaincenter.org/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2014/11/VG-Recipe-Blueberry-BananaBreakfast-Cookies.pdf 4) Creamy Chocolate Fudge Popsicles – http://www.jaincenter.org/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2014/11/VG-Recipe-Creamy-ChocolateFudge-Popsicles.pdf

Launch of the Logassa Challenge By Poorvi Parekh

New Year marks a new chapter in our lives. This year, Pat Darshan (observed on November 9th) started with samuh khamasmana, chaityavandan and a virtual yatra to Palitana. To further this spiritual journey, the Logassa Challenge was launched. This challenge is for me, you, and every member of the Jain Center of Southern California community. The Logassa Sutra is meant to offer obeisance to all of the Twenty-Four Tirthankaras and to adore their attributes. It is also termed as Chauvisattho (Chaturvinshati Stava), which is the second Ă&#x201E;vashyak (Essential ritual) for shravakas (laymen). Gaurav Shah and Poorvi Parekh introduced the Logassa Challenge with, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Next to the Namokar Mantra, the Logassa Sutra is the most universal sutra recited during Prathikraman and Samayiak.â&#x20AC;? They explained how to take the Challenge and to spread the word by nominating others. Hand in hand, this will also raise some funds for our Center. Many community members sitting in the audience came forth to initiate the sponsorship for the challenge. For each person that recites the Logassa shuddh (proper pronunciation), a donation will be made to Jain Center on their behalf through the sponsors.

Community members representing different groups, including JCYC Pathshala, JAYA, Swadhyay group, EC/ BOD, Jain Study Group, Mahila Mandal and Senior group, started the launch reciting the Logassa in front of the audience. Hiranyada Mehta (JCYC Student) Dr Mahendra Shah (EC/BOD) Prerna Udani (JCYC Parent) Mayuri Shah (Mahila Mandal)

Urvashiben Shah (Adult Swadhyay) Priyash Jain (JCYC Student) Naren Maniar (EC/BOD) Nita Raju Shah (JCYC Parent) Mahendrabhai Shah (Senior Group)

Virendrabhai Shah, President of JCSC, presented a button with, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I completed the Logassa Challengeâ&#x20AC;? to honor their completion of the challenge. Each of the nine has each nominated their friends to take the challenge. After swamivatsalya, there was a vargodo (parade) from the cultural building to the Aagam mandir in honor of the members that took the challenge. A barometer on the life size board with the logassa(universe) near the wooden temple tracks the progress of how many members have completed the challenge. The names will be color coded to represent the group each member is most active in.

Are you ready to take the challenge? Here are the basic steps to accepting and completing the challenge. Taking the Logassa challenge: Step 1: Register to take the challenge at the Jain center website: www.jaincenter.org/Logassa-challenge.php. You will also find a number of audio and visual tools on the website that can be downloaded to help you learn the Sutra. Step 2: Recite the Logassa in front of one of the designated judges. (The initial judges will include Savitaben Mehta, Padmaben Shah, Pravinaben Shah, Hinaben Shah and Deeptaben Shah. They will be available between 9:30 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:30 pm on Pathshala days in the open area outside the office in the Cultural Complex) Step 3: You have completed the Logassa challenge! Spread the Word! Each person that completes the challenge will receive a pin as an acknowledgement that you have completed the challenge. There is no cost to the participant for taking the challenge, but by completing the challenge, they will be able to win a small donation for the Jain Center. Once you have completed the challenge, you will be given access to a link on the Jain Center website where you will be able to nominate 2-3 other people to take the challenge. Most members will probably directly register themselves for the challenge. However, if you have a friend or family member that can use some encouragement then by nominating them, you can motivate them to take this opportunity to learn the Logassa Sutra. The target is to have 1,500 people complete the challenge and raise $15,000 for the Jain Center. If you are inspired to support those taking the challenge, then please sponsor the participants as a way to encourage the spiritual community event. Please contact Gaurav Shah at Gaurav.shah@jaincenter.net.

JAINA Report Jai Jinendra, In May 1981 right here in Los Angeles, we embarked on an ambitious mission to create an organization that would preserve and share our Jain values and establish a vibrant Jain community in North America. JAINA envisioned establishing strong networks between Jain and non-Jain communities to sustain the Jain way of life for generations to come. Over the past three decades, JAINA has accomplished this and much more. We hold biennial conventions, which bring 3,500 to 6,000 Jains together on regular basis. We launched Young Jains of America (YJA) and Young Jain Professionals (YJP) that are making a difference for thousands of youth and young adults. Using JAINA’s 30 plus committees as portals, our professional volunteers are performing SEVA that cover many areas - from providing better education to feeding the hungry and building homes for homeless. JAINA has more than 20 projects nurturing future Jain leaders in their commitment to serve the Jain community. A few JAINA projects include JAINA calendars, Jain Digest, World Community Services, uplifting under privileged Jains, academic scholarships, Jain Milan/ Jain Network Forum, Jain library, JAINA legislative internship, Magalam Jain television show, Boy Scout of America Jain merit badges, Eco vegan project, and English teachers educating children in rural schools in India. We are organizing events in more than 40 states, at the White House in Washington D.C., and with the United Nations to express the Jain values of compassion, nonviolence, love and peace for all. Recently JAINA celebrated Virchand Raghavji Gandhi’s 150th birth year, and World Compassion & Vegan day. JAINA has dedicated following four days as JAINA days celebration, Majavir Janma Kalyank day-“ Live and Help live,” Forgiveness Day (1st Saturday after Paryushan/Das Laxana), Ahimsa day (October 2nd), and Compassion/Jiv Daya day (Thanksgiving). JAINA has published a book, titled “Mahavira”; an award winner in the children’s religious category from the USA Best Book Award. The next JAINA convention will be held in Atlanta, GA in July 2015, where more than 2,000 attendees have already registered. Honorable P.M. Narendra Modi will address the convention attendees via video satellite. Do not miss the opportunity to attend this convention. Undoubtedly, these achievements and projects illustrate JAINA’s commitment to inspiring our Jain community. JAINA is committed to serving you. Please let us know what JAINA can do for you. We invite you to partner with JAINA in a shared vision through your volunteer services. Sincerely, Dr. Jayesh Shah VP West, JAINA

JCSC Donor List - January 1 to November 25, 2014 Adani, Rajesh and Jagu

151.00

Dodhiwala, Jasminekumar H.

100.00

Agarwal, Ramakant and Pradnya

251.00

Doshi, Arvind and Chandrika

131.00

Doshi, Ashwin and Chandrika

251.00

Aggarwal, Benarasi and Veena Agrawal, Amit and Renu

5,954.00 100.00

Doshi, Atul and Sudha

Ahir, Vikas and Purvi

6,000.00

Doshi, Dipak and Harshila

Ajmera, Dimple, Tansen and Punita

2,501.00

352.00 8,905.00

Doshi, Harshad and Bhavana

101.00

Ajmera, Mehul and Sweta

150.00

Doshi, Harshad and Hansa

245.00

Badani, Jignesh and Dhara Shah

102.00

Doshi, Hemendra and Rekha

Badani, Harshit and Aparna

25.00

Doshi, Jiten and Hina

144.00

Badani, Mahesh and Preeti

1,605.00

Badani, Nishit and Darshita

251.00

Doshi, Khushbu

Barmecha, Naman

151.00

Doshi, Mahendra and Shobha

Bharuka, Vinod and Dhrupali

326.00

Doshi, Mahesh and Pallavi

10,500.00

11.00

Bhasin, Anila S.

Doshi, Ketan and Hetal

10,343.00 6,462.00 501.00 101.00

Doshi, Mehul and Nimisha

101.00

Bhindi, Vinodbhai

1,100.00

Doshi, Mira

101.00

Bhojak Salil

1,002.00

Doshi, Mukesh and Bina

352.00 554.00

Bhojak, Amrishbhai - Caretaker

362.00

Doshi, Nimesh and Kokila

Chavan, Kishan and Kundan

101.00

Doshi, Nitin and Usha

51.00

201.00

Doshi, Prakash and Ila

202.00

Doshi, Premal Hemendra and Darshi

951.00

Doshi, Ramesh and Bansari

254.00

Doshi, Rohit and Rita

303.00

Chekuri, Chakradhar and Ria Chhatrala Investments, LLC Chheda, Bharat and Pushpa Shah

1,000.00 301.00

Chheda, Nalin and Meena

2,138.00

Chheda, Vijay and Madhu

6,202.00

Doshi, Setu and Parveen

2,851.00

Chheda, Vitesh and Vriti

152.00

Doshi, Shephal and Jigna

101.00

Choksi, Nishith and Minaxi/Hersh*

261.00

Doshi, Tejas and Pinkal

222.00

Dagli, Dhaval and Radha

111.00

Doshi, Vikram and Smita

264.00

Dagli, Nirav and Rishita

905.00

Dudhekar, Ajit and Pratibha

303.00

Dagli, Pravin & Meena

273.00

Dudheker, Nirmal and Nita

704.00

Dalal, Himansu and Swati

501.00

Farm Fresh Grocery Store

600.00

Dalal, Pradeep and Mrudula

428.00

Feri, Patrick and Molly McLaughlin

Dalal, Virendra and Ashvina

322.00

Gada, Surji and Urmila

327.00

Dangi, Salil and Vinita

887.00

Gala, Hemant

425.49

Dedhia, Alpesh and Rita

201.00

Gala, Jayant and Kalpana

Dedhia, Dhiraj and Jyoti

1,204.00

Dedhia, Harilal and Ranjan Deo, Dr. Eknath and Anuradha Desai, Anita Desai, Girish and Bhavna Desai, Rajani & Ila

Gala, Kirit and Pallavi

40.00

101.00 1,229.00

122.00

Gala, Rajeev and Darshana

1,427.00

1,001.00

Gandhi, Arun and Kalpana

1,146.00

Gandhi, Bharat and Nayana

1,904.00

101.00 1,002.00

Gandhi, Bhavesh and Priti

341.00

Gandhi, Dilip and Varsha

453.00

Desai, Ritesh and Poonam

1,682.25

Gandhi, Hemant and Jagruti

151.00

Desai, Shailesh and Amita

1,257.00

Gandhi, Hirav

101.00

Desai, Shirish and Harsha

101.00

Desai, Vinaykant and Kumud Dhami, Nikhil and Hina

282.00

25.00 4,176.00

Gandhi, Prakash and Mrudula

72.00

Gandhi, Suhrud and Jagruti

81.00

Gangar, Navin and Divya

51.00

Dhami, Rajendra and Manjri

251.00

Godha, Bharat and Monica

252.00

Dharod, Jhaverbai and Girish D. Dharod

142.00

Gosar, Vishal and Hetal

100.00

Dholakia, Atul & Radha

101.00

Gupta, Shailendra and Jayshree

176.00

Dhruv, Pranav

212.00

Guruji, Dinesh and Anila

12,715.00

Highglow (USA) Corporation

Kamdar, Vikram and Ila

101.00

Iyer, Lakshman and Rekha

172.00

Kankariya, Paresh and Yagi

402.00

Jain, Abhishek and Roshni

101.00

Kapadia, Praful and Kalpana

101.00

Jain, Daksha M.D.

201.00

Kapadia, Sudhir and Daksha

753.00

Jain, Desh & Nirmal Jain, Hetal

200.00 3,502.00

Khandhar, Archana and Ashkay Hemani

51.00

Khandhar, Mahendra and Vina

853.00

Jain, Kamal and Archana

353.00

Khandhar, Ramesh and Archana

251.00

Jain, Kritika

501.00

Khandhar, Ramesh kantilal

277.00

Jain, Lokesh and Nidhi

806.00

Khandhar, Sanket & Sonal (Bijal)

Jain, Mahesh and Vaishali

362.00

Khoja, Alladin and Harsha

101.00

Jain, Manish and Kavita

100.00

Khona, Harish and Gunvanti(Geeta)

597.00

Jain, Manoj and Rozy

151.00

Khona, Kumar and Hemlata

250.00

Jain, Mayur B.

101.00

Kiranraj, Pramod and Dipti Jain

201.00

Jain, Nandini

602.00

Kothari Dipesh and Veni Jain

51.00

Kothari, Harshad and Niharica

501.00

Kothari, Jiten and Rupal

853.00

Kothari, Ramesh and Alka

101.00

Jain, Narendra and Surekha Jain, Nirmal Jain, Premchand and Sandhya

5,849.00 201.00 1,000.00

1,002.00

Jain, Rakesh and Anju

101.00

Kothari, Ramesh and Shobhana

Jain, Ramesh and Manju

202.00

Kothari, Shreedhar and Roopa

351.00

Kothari, Sudhir and Niru

132.00

Kothari, Suketu and Sejal

900.00

Jain, Rohit and Ritu Jain, Sailes and Sachi

1,504.00

Jain, Sheela

202.00 2,000.00

Kucheri, Sanjay and Harshada

Jain, Sunilkumar and Asha

5,459.00

Kumon of North Long Beach

500.00

Lavingia, Kalavati S

501.00

Anonymous

202.00

Mamtora, Hitesh and Nilima

100.00

Manchandia Chandra and Bella

501.00

Jain, Sunilkumar and Malti

51.00

Jain, Surajmukhi & Bhanu

101.00

Jain, Surendra and Kala

9,386.00

Jain, Suresh & Sushma

40.00

Kothary, Shashikant and Sarojbala

252.00 2,454.00

Jain, Suman

51.00 1,001.00

Jain, Urvashi

501.00

Manchandia, Manohar and Bharti

251.00

Jain, Vinay and Geeltika

301.00

Maniar, Harshad and Bakula

748.00

Jariwala, Manoj and Pragna Jaybharat Group

301.00 5,001.00

Anonymous Mehta, Anil and Mehima

2,535.00 21.00

Jhaveri, Bipin and Pratibha

202.00

Mehta, Bhavin

Jhaveri, Dipal and Rina Shah

350.00

Mehta, Bijal and Bindu

500.00

Jhaveri, Harsh and Poonam

302.00

Mehta, Bipin and Jaymala (Jagruti)

181.00

Jhaveri, Jitu and Sarala Jhaveri, Kalpesh and Roopa Jhaveri, Manish and Swati

100.00

Mehta, C.V. and Daneshwari

51.00

2,511.00

Mehta, Chandra and Nalini

208.00

21.00

Mehta, Darshan and Smita

201.00

Jhaveri, Pramod and Hansa

2,500.00

Mehta, Dhaval and Chhaya

501.00

Jhaveri, Ramesh and Nisha

1,069.00

Mehta, Dhirendra and Rajul

402.00

Mehta, Gaurav

201.00

Jogani, Dhaval Kiritbhai

1,000.00

40.00

Jogani, Kirit and Piyulata

3,213.00

Mehta, Harshadray and Charulata

Jogani, Pinkal and Pamita

2,706.00

Mehta, Hiren and Shital

61.00 276.00

Jogani, Shashi and Renuka

201.00

Mehta, Jashwant and Pratibha

Jogani, Tarun and Chandra

501.00

Mehta, Jatin and Urvi

402.00

Kakaria, Vivek and Rachna

101.00

Mehta, Jeetendra and Richa

402.00

Kale, Rahul and Seema

501.00

Mehta, Jigger and Vaishali

Kamdar, Kantilal and Nikunj

455.00

Mehta, Jignesh and Deepali

Kamdar, Shrivan and Nikunj

101.00

Mehta, Jinesh

1,002.00

604.00 5,455.00 251.00

Mehta, Jinesh and Krina

552.00

Parekh, Ketan and Bhavana

Mehta, Kamal and Jagruti

101.00

Parekh, Kishor and Jayshree

151.00

Mehta, Kapil and Jigna

101.00

Parekh, Nilesh and Beena

351.00

Mehta, Kapil and Priyanka

101.00

Parekh, Nimisha Living Trust

202.00

Mehta, Kirit and Prafula

225.00

Parekh, Rajen and Poorvi

101.00

Mehta, Mahendra H. and Puspa M.

100.00

Parekh, Ramesh and Dina

3,113.00

Parikh, Rahul and Kiran

1,152.00

Mehta, Manilal and Savita Mehta, Manish and Chhaya

267.00 1,206.00

6,569.00

Parikh, Rajesh and Harsha

317.00

Mehta, Mihir and Akshita

176.00

Parikh, Viren and Purvi

325.00

Mehta, Mukesh and Nirupama

262.00

Patel, Gordhan and Saroj

945.00

Mehta, Naresh and Usha

101.00

Mehta, Pravin Mehta, Pravin and Bharti Mehta, Pravinchandra Chandulal Mehta, Rajendra and Jaishri Mehta, Rajendra and Rajul(Kundan)

31.00

Patel, Jignesh Patel, Kamal and Alka

1,000.00 101.00

50.00

Patel, Kiran and Geeta

2,258.00

101.00

Patel, Manish and Dolly

22,151.00

1,022.00

Patel, Naresh and Nita

101.00

Patel, Nehal and Urvi

357.00

Mehta, Rajesh and Meghana

50.00

Patel, Pravin and Kanak

668.00

Mehta, Rajni and Sheela

51.00

Patel, Pravin and Yogita

101.00

Mehta, Rajnikant and Harshada

42.00

Patel, Ramesh and Giribala

752.00

Mehta, Rashmi and Jyoti

221.00

Patel, Siddharth R. and Giribala R.

251.00

Mehta, Rashmikant and Asmita/Kunal

310.00

Patel, Viral and Pragna (Purvi)

202.00

Mehta, Samir and Jigna

301.00

Patwa, Rupen and Chetna

201.00

Mehta, Sanket M

101.00

Rathi, Vasant and Prabha

3,101.00

Mehta, Shailesh P. and Mita

959.00

Rode, Virendra and Sejal

2,848.00

Mehta, Tejas and Priti Mehta, Viral and Dhara Mehta, Viresh and Ila Mehta, Yogesh and Rekha Mepani, Tarang and Nirali Modi, Bhavin and Mansi Modi, Hardik and Pinal

2,069.00

1,044.00 51.00

Rupani, Manu L. and Yamini SAHARA

25.00 1,500.00

Salvi, Kirit and Rekha

7,009.00

21.00

Sanghani, Samir and Mona

1,155.00

172.00 752.00

Sanghavi, Mahesh and Mala

221.00

2,920.00

Sanghvi, Kishor and Kusum

3,817.00

5,855.00

Sanghvi, Mitul.

101.00

10,139.00

Sanghvi, Navin and Bhavna

202.00

Modi, Nishith & Krupa

1,481.00

Sanghvi, Vaibhav and Nisha

100.00

Modi, Tejas and Parul

20.00

Sangoi, Mayur and Shraddha

Modi, Vinodchandra and Minaxiben/Bhavin

11.00

Savani, Dipak and Rita

Anonymous

83.00 3,202.00

Mody, Harshad and Bharati.

501.00

Savla, Ashok and Harshana

1,601.00

Mody, Nimish and Jethal

101.00

Savla, Jayanti and Kusum

4,002.00

Mody, Rajnikant and Usha

304.00

Savla, Jethalal and Lata

101.00

Mota, Kalyanji and Jyoti

373.00

Savla, Neelam and Lata

351.00

Mulji, Bharat & Shaila

111.11

Murty, Rahul and Arti Shah Nagda, Hemant and Hansa Orlando, Robert and Joan Palkhiwala, Naresh and Jayshree Pandya, Arunaben

51.00 251.00 1,000.00 504.00

Savla, Popat and Kalpana Sawla, Suryakant and Chetna Seth, Sushil and Renuka Shah, Abhinav Shah, Ajit and Aruna

9,787.50 361.00 1,201.00 100.00 51.00

51.00

Shah, Ajit and Sobhana

313.00

Parakh, Pratik and Kapila

127.00

Shah, Alpesh and Rinku

7,304.00

Parekh, Dilip and Sushama

448.00

Shah, Ameet Arvind and Mona

Parekh, Kamal and Mina

102.00

Shah, Amit and Trupti

Parekh, Ketan and Amishi

101.00

Shah, Anand and Khyati

234.00 1,806.00 453.00

Shah, Anand and Yogi Shah, Anil and Kalpana

Shah, Dipak and Ketaki--Nm

252.00

Shah, Dipak and Nita

698.00

Shah, Ankit and Aditi Sheth

202.00

Shah, Dipti Punam

853.00

Shah, Ankita and Janakan Sivasubramaniam

251.00

Shah, Gaurang and Nalini

shah, Ankur and Sweta

100.00

Shah, Gaurav and Anita

Anonymous Shah, Ashok and Meeta

51.00

754.00 2,613.00

20,642.00

Shah, Girish and Pravina

51.00

501.00

Shah, Girish and Sushila

202.00

Shah, Ashok and Smita

152.00

Shah, Gunvantray and Indu

51.00

Shah, Ashwin and Jagruti

301.00

Shah, Haresh and Varsha

31.00

Shah, Avni Jaykumar

351.00

Shah, Harshad and Neeta (Nivedita)

Shah, Bakul and Shweta

101.00

Shah, Harshad and Raksha

Shah, Bhadresh and Seema

375.00

Shah, Harshid and Sunanda

Shah, Bhanu and Pushpa

302.00

Shah, Harsukh and Anandi

Shah, Bharat and Anjali

101.00

Shah, Hasendra and Bina

Shah, Bharat and Neena

171.00

Shah, Hasmukh and Bhanumati/Kokila

854.50

Shah, Bharat and Sheela

92.00

Shah, Hemali

151.00

Shah, Bharat and Sunila

150.00

Shah, Hemang and Alpa

324.00

Shah, Bhavin Shah, Bhavin and Swati Shah, Bijal and Maluni

15.00

Shah, Himanshu and Mala

501.00

Shah, Hiren and Chaytali & Maltiben

152.00

Shah, Hiren and Urvi

Shah, Bijal and Rina

5,021.00

Shah, Bindesh and Sejal

6,454.00

Shah, Hiten and Bharati

101.00 70,000.00 20.00 116.00 2,365.50

21.00 1,151.00 250.00 2,000.00

Anonymous

5,450.00

151.00

Shah, Jagesh and Aditi

8,005.00

Shah, Chandrakant and Devyani

151.00

Shah, Jagrut and Darshana

856.00

Shah, Chandrakant and Pramila

2,606.00

Shah, Janak and Jyoti

151.00

Shah, Chandrakant and Bharti

Shah, Chandrakant and Pravina

152.00

Shah, Jasmin and Dhruti

50.00

Shah, Chandrakant and Rama

202.00

Shah, Jatin and Grishma

705.00

Shah, Chandravadan and Shobhana

151.00

Shah, Jawahar and Rita

5,402.00

Shah, Chirag and Shaily

2,500.00

Shah, Jay and Dolly

200.00

Shah, Chirag and Shami

602.00

Shah, Jayesh and Smruti

818.00

Shah, Darshan and Rajal

301.00

Shah, Jayesh and Vibha

Shah, Darshan and Shivani

501.00

Shah, Jaykumar and Ramila

Shah, Deep Jagatkumar/Vina Shah, Deven and Bela Shah, Devendra and Rasila

1,201.50 501.00 21.00

Shah, Jindas and Manda Shah, Jinesh and Julie Arvind Shah, Jitu and Bhavna

193.00 4,961.00 18,485.00 357.00 2,152.00

Shah, Dharmesh and Manali

3,754.50

Shah, Kalpesh and Paresha

122.00

Shah, Dharmesh and Sunita

1,183.00

Shah, Kamini V. & Naineshkumar

151.00

Shah, Kamlesh and Tejal

706.00

Shah, Dharmesh Bharatkumar

31.00

Shah, Dhirajkumar and Nayna

1,565.00

Shah, Dhiren and Hina Shah, Dhiren and Jyoti -Leawood Shah, Dhirendra and Jyoti Shah, Dhiru and Kishori

755.00

Shah, Kantilal and Hiralaxmi Shah, Kanubhai and Vinodini

62.00 11.00

Shah, Karan and Swati

2,001.00

351.00

Shah, Kaushal and Bhavi

4,107.00

1,371.00

Shah, Ketan and Bhavita

537.00

51.00

Shah, Dilip and Charu

275.00

Shah, Ketan and Divya

102.00

Shah, Dilip and Pragna

883.00

Shah, Keyur and Parul

153.00

Shah, Dinesh and Alka

17,915.00

Shah, Kiran and Hansa

21.00

1,237.00

Shah, Kirit and Anjana

289.00

Shah, Dinesh and Priti

502.00

Shah, Kirit and Chhaya

252.00

Shah, Dinesh and Sushila

101.00

Shah, Kirit and Ragini

Shah, Dinesh and Muktida

1,220.00

1,308.00

Shah, Kiritkumar M.D.

1,751.00

Shah, Nirav and Sweta

5,102.00

Shah, Kirti and Nayana

5,142.00

Shah, Nitin and Bina

1,602.00

Shah, Kirtikumar and Pragna

2,030.00

Shah, Nitin and Kinna

3,914.00

Shah, Kirtikumar and Suhasini / Neeraj Shah, Kishor and Bharati Shah, Kishor and Rita

51.00

Shah, Pankaj and Malti

21.00

Shah, Pankaj and Preeti

11,201.00

1,313.00

Shah, Pankaj and Rupa

251.00 1,100.00

Shah, Kishorchandra and Jayshriben

407.00

Shah, Parag and Reena

Shah, Kunal & Varshaben Shah

343.00

Shah, Paresh and Rupal

352.00

906.00

Shah, Kushagra

51.00

Shah, Parul A.

Shah, Kushan and Khushbu

51.00

Shah, Pradeep and Asha

151.00

Shah, Pradeep and Bina (Jyoti)

917.00

Shah, Pradip and Hardika

625.00

Shah, Pradip and Vina

353.00

Shah, Mahendra and Harshida Shah, Mahendra and Niranjana Shah, Mahesh and Mita Shah, Mahipal and Meena

1,330.00 852.00 1,710.00 202.00

Shah, Prakash and Kalpana

65.00

616.00

Shah, Malay and Avani

4,305.00

Shah, Pramod and Kamini

Shah, Malay B. and Payal

1,234.00

Shah, Prashant and Dharmistha

151.00

Shah, Prashant and Komal

884.00

Shah, Manahar Shah, Manesh and Deepta

62.00 1,137.00

Shah, Pravinbhai

Shah, Manish and Purvi

150.00

Shah, Pujan and Nimita

Shah, Mansukh and Nalini

276.00

Shah, Punam and Pravina, Shah Prashant

Shah, Manubhai and Chandrika Shah, Mayaben

2,425.00 21.00

Shah, Punita

3,197.00

21.00 925.00 1,090.00 11.00

Shah, Raj and Reena

703.00

Shah, Mayank and Manjari

100.00

Shah, Rajen and Grishma

152.00

Shah, Mayank and Mita

119.00

Shah, Rajendra and Chhaya

412.00

Shah, Mehulkumar I. and Sneha

554.00

Shah, Rajendra and Rajeshwari

250.00

Shah, Minal Naresh

152.00

Shah, Rajesh and Nayana Patel

352.00

Shah, Mitul and Ronak Shah, Moulik Shah, Mukesh and Meena Shah, Mukesh and Shobhana

275.00

Shah, Rajesh and Neeta

8,950.00

4,153.00

Shah, Rajesh and Smita

825.00

Shah, Rakesh and Dharmistha

352.00

152.00 3,332.00

Shah, Ramesh and Prafula

403.00

Shah, Mukesh and Shubhangi

301.00

Shah, Rameshbhai P and Sonal Shah

Shah, Mukesh and Yogini

453.00

Shah, Rashmi and Kusum

100.00

Shah, Mukundray and Nalini

302.00

Shah, Rasik and Padma

553.00

Shah, Narendra

351.00

Shah, Rasik and Sunanda

Shah, Narendra and Dina

101.00

Shah, Rohit M.

Shah, Narendra and Hansa

301.00

Shah, Sachin and Kruti

401.00

Shah, Narendra and Kanchan

151.00

Shah, Sachin and Sejal

1,394.00

Shah, Narendra and Smita

133.00

Shah, Sameer and Avani

Shah, Narendra J. and Bina

527.00

Shah, Samir

Shah, Naresh and Jayana

402.00

Shah, Sanjay and Minal

1,338.00

675.00

Shah, Sanjay and Neela

101.00

1,000.00

Shah, Satish and Dipika

427.50

Shah, Nayan M.D. Shah, Nilay and Deval Shah, Nilesh and Kalindi

20,034.00

602.00 1,076.00

301.00 500.00

Shah, Satish and Rashmi

100.00

Shah, Nilesh and Krina

7,805.00

Shah, Satyen and Anuja

101.00

Shah, Nilesh and Minal

1,000.00

Shah, Shailesh and Sudha

102.00

Anonymous

244.00

Shah, Nimish and Rupal

501.00

253.00

Shah, Niraj and Arpita

101.00

Shah, Shetal and Darshana

Shah, Niranjan and Bharati

151.00

Shah, Shishir and Malini

Shah, Niranjan and Usha

353.00

Shah, Shrenik and Punita

1,000.00 301.00 1,335.00

Shah, Shrenik/Adhir Shah, Siddharth and Priti

42.00

Udani, Vinay and Geeta

302.00

Udani, Vipul and Prerana

904.00

Shah, Sucheta / Shah, Surekha

101.00

USC Group

1,102.00

Shah, Sujay and Komal

903.00

Anonymous

1,107.00 8,039.00

Shah, Sujit and Seema

501.00

Vadecha, Jayesh and Jigna

Shah, Sunil and Neeta

151.00

Vadecha, Neil and Nina

Shah, Sunil and Sonal

4,202.47

200.00

Vadecha, Pragnesh and Mita

1,110.00

Shah, Sunil and Urvi

301.00

Vadecha, Vipin and Jyoti

7,194.32

Shah, Suresh and Kashmira

202.00

Vagadia, Kanji and Indira

714.00

Shah, Sureshchandra and Jasmin

101.00

Vakharia, Rajesh and Jayna

452.00

Shah, Swapnil and Sanjana Arora

5,506.00

Shah, Tushar and Apurvi

110.00

Valani, Nayan and Kalpana

31.00

Variya, Tejas and Twinkle

251.00 2,553.00

Shah, Uday and Poonam

202.00

Vasa, Jiten and Harshida

Shah, Uday and Urvi/Harsha

483.00

Vasha, Bhavik Praful

301.00

Shah, Upen and Jyoti

452.00

Veera, Shantilal and Jaya

101.00

Shah, Urvesh and Sapana

101.00

Veeragoudar, Chandrakant and Shakuntala

102.00

Shah, Vasuben and Shah, Arti

985.00

Veeragoudar, Shantinath and Sarojini

152.00

301.00

Vipani, Kirit and Rajal

526.00

Vira, Kishor and Bharati

101.00

Shah, Vijay and Bina Shah, Vijay and Jagruti

1,728.00

Shah, Vijay and Karuna

2,605.00

Vora, Anish and Devanshi

Shah, Vijay and Neeta / Lilavati

1,206.00

Vora, Deepak and Asha

201.00

51.00

Shah, Vinay and Shital

606.00

Vora, Deepak and Kalavati

200.00

Shah, Vipin and Saroj

501.50

Vora, Harshad and Saryu

101.00

Anonymous

347.00

Vora, Jinesh and Disha

355.00

Shah, Viral P. and Ruchi

404.00

Vora, Ketan and Deepali

502.00

Shah, Viren and Smriti

251.00

Vora, Kusum

102.00

637.00

Vora, Nitin and Malini

704.00

Vora, Pramod and Sharda

202.00

Anonymous Shah, Yogesh and Ranjan (Saurabh)

2,827.00

Shah, Yogesh and Sangita

5,707.50

Sheth, Aditya and Manisha

150.00

Vora, Sarju and Priya

251.00

Sheth, Ashvin and Divya

200.00

Vora, Upendra and Varsha

101.00

Vora, Vijay and Chetna

151.00

Sheth, Harshad and Bharati Sheth, Harshad and Nayana Sheth, Hitesh and Kajal Sheth, Jayesh and Sarika Sheth, Pankaj and Nira Sheth, Sateen & Veena Sheth

76.00 151.00 2,124.00 51.00 1,236.00 201.00

Sheth, Subodh and Rekha

50.00

Sheth, Sudhir and Pallavi

203.00

Sheth, Suresh and Vinodi

102.00

Sheth, Vijay and Mina

208.50

Shetti, Navin and Mayuri

100.00

Singapore, Priya Gala Solanki, Vipul and Pragna Suchak, Atul and Bina Surana, Sourbh and Shilpa Tamboli, Dr. Mrudula

101.00

12.00 4,316.00 51.00 300.00 20.00

Tiloda, Nilesh and Reshma

351.00

Truist / Sarvaiya, Pranav J

876.67

Vora, Ramesh and Rasilaben

Vyas, Jwalant and Himani Wadher, Mahesh and Usha Williamson, Jeffrey and Amishi Zaveri, Sandeep and Asmi Total Donations Received

51.00

51.00 20,604.00 1,813.00 502.00 757,759.81

Information JCSC Ongoing Activities December 2014 Fri

Chaudas Pratikraman

Sun

JCYC Pathshala, Adult Swadhyay, JSG (Group A)

Sun

JCYC Pathshala, Adult Swadhyay, JSG (Group A)

Sat

Chaudas Pratikraman

Sun

JSG ( Group B )

Fri

Monthly Bhavna bhakti

Sat

Navkar Mantra Jaap, Sntrapuja, Bhathu

Sun

JSG (Group B) January 2015

Sun

JCYC Pathshala,Adult Swdhyay,JSG (Group A)

Sun

Chaudas Pratikraman

Sun

JSG(Group B)

Sun

JCYC Pathshala, Adult Swadhyay, JSG (Group A)

Mon

Chaudus Pratikraman

Sat

Navkar Mantra Jaap, Sntrapuja, Bhathu

Sun

JCYC Pathshala, Adult Swadhyay, JSG (Group A)

Fri

Monthly Bhavna bhakti February 2015

Sun

JSG ( Group B )

Mon

Chaudus Pratikraman

Sun

JCYC Pathshala, Adult Swadhyay, JSG (Group A)

Sun

JSG ( Group B )

Tue

Chaudus Pratikraman

Sat

Navkar Mantra Jaap, Sntrapuja, Bhathu

Sun

JCYC Pathshala, Adult Swadhyay, JSG (Group A)

Fri

Monthly Bhavna Bhakti

Information JCSC Lifetime Tithis Sun Mon

14 15

Thurs Tue Tue Wed Sat

1 13 20 21 24

Fri Sat Sat Sat

20 21 28 28

December 2014 Shah Dr Jaykumar & Ramila - Punyatithi of Lilaben Harilal Shah Jhaveri Kalpesh & Roopa - Wedding of their son-Harsh - Poonam January 2015 Vadecha Vipin & Jyoti-Punyatithi of Lilavatiben Devdhibhai Vadecha Shah Nilesh & Krina-Dedicated to Vimlaben Ratilal Parekh Ketan & Bhavna-dedicated to Kamlaben Parekh Shah Kamlaben K Shah & family-Dedicated to Kirtichandra N Shah Sheth Harshad & Bharti-Memory of Shri Harshadbhai Sheth February 2015 Darod Zaverben-Dedicated to Devji Gala Darod Darod Zaverben-Dedicated to Harsh Devji Darod Shah Yogesh & Saurabh-Dedicated to Anand Shah Shah Dr Jaykumar & Ramila-Memory of Shri Haribhai M Shah

JCSC Upcoming Events

Tue Tue Sat

02 16 20

Fri to Mon

19 to 22

Thu Sat

01 31

December 2014 Maun Ekadasi - Dev Vandan,150 Kalyanaks-Jaap Posh Dasmi - Parswanath Janm Kalyanak Parswanath Janm & Diksha Kalyanak observed with Panch Kalyanak puja & ekasana JCYC Winter Camp January 2015 New Year Day- Sntrapuja Shibir by Shri Girishbhai Shah

Thank You! Thanks for your feedback! Since the publication of the first issue of JCSC Connect in May, we have received valuable feedback from our readers and from the magazine’s advisers. Based on this feedback, we continue to revise our process of writing, editing and selecting the articles. The main goal is to bring you articles that highlight the various activities at JCSC, promote the volunteering spirit among members, publish stories that support and nurture Jain values, and overall help us move ahead on our spiritual path. Please continue to tell us your candid opinion about the topics, the articles, the design, the pictures, the content organization, and anything else about the magazine. Your comments and suggestions will help us in making this magazine what you want it to be. You can reach out to any of the members of the editorial team listed on the back of the front cover or send us an e-mail at JCSC.Connect@gmail. com The JCSC Connect editorial team thanks you for your support.

Call for Articles Thanks to those who have responded to our call for articles in the past issues. We could not have done this without the support and interest of our readers. We certainly would like to see more people come forward and be a part of our devoted, wonderful team of writers and editors. Here are some ideas to stimulate your thinking and awaken the writer in you!      

Do you know an activity that our kids will love to do? Do you know a story that they will enjoy learning from? Do you know a bhakti song that wells up your eyes? Do you want to share it with others? Have you come across a compassionate selfless act someone has done? Would you like to explain a Jain “siddhant” that challenges and engages you? Do you want to tell others what inspires you to do your best? Do you want to share your challenges and experiences in practicing Jain principles?

If your answer is “YES” to any of the above questions, then don’t wait! Contact us as JCSC.Connect@gmail.com and tell us what you want to write about. We will provide you with guidelines, deadlines and provide any assistance you may need.

JCSC Officers Executive Committee PRESIDENT

Virendra Shah (H) (310) 326-5685 virendra.shah@jaincenter.net

VICE PRESIDENT

Hemendra Doshi (C) (213) 448-7722 hemendra.doshi@jaincenter.net

SECRETARY

Narendra Maniar (H) (562) 924-6055 narendra.maniar@jaincenter.net

TREASURER

Vipul Udani (H) (714) 992-6138 vipul.udani@jaincenter.net

PUBLIC RELATIONS MEMBERS

Vipin Vadecha (H) (909) 861-2677 vipin.vadecha@jaincenter.net Bhavin Modi (C) (714) 943-1947 bhavin.modi@jaincenter.net

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Jaswant Modi (C) (213) 999-7011 jaswant.modi@jaincenter.net Kantilal Shah (H) (949) 459-8299 kantilal.shah@jaincenter.net Dr. Manilal Mehta (H) (714) 898-3156 manilal.mehta@jaincenter.net Manubhai Shah (H) (714) 279-0279 manu.shah@jaincenter.net

Gaurav Shah (C) (818) 967-8297 gaurav.shah@jaincenter.net

Prafulla Shah (C) (562) 576-2097 prafulla.shah@jaincenter.net

Kalpesh Jhaveri (H) (909) 598-7070 kalpesh.jhaveri@jaincenter.net Ketan Parekh (C) 714-299-6789 ketan.parekh@jaincenter.net Dr. Mahendra Shah (H) (714) 369-8701 mahendra.shah@jaincenter.net Premal Doshi (C) (213) 210-3711 premal.doshi@jaincenter.net Ramesh Parekh (H) (949) 677-0980 ramesh.parekh@jaincenter.net Sanjay Shah (C) (951) 642-1160 sanjay.shah@jaincenter.net Sonal Shah (C) (714) 470-8734 sonal.shah@jaincenter.net Vijay Shah (C) (714) 496-8533 vijay.shah@jaincenter.net

PAST PRESIDENT

Dr. Jayesh Shah (H) (626) 357-9888 jayesh.shah@jaincenter.net

To make any general announcements to all members or to request a change of address, please send 42 a message to jaincenter@hotmail.com.

FROM E.C. Virendra Shah* Hemendra Doshi * Narendra Maniar* Vipul Udani* Ashok Savla (H) (626) 287-6560 ashok.savla@jaincenter.net

Yogesh Shah (H) (714) 936-5300 yogesh.shah@jaincenter.net

JCYC DIRECTOR

Sailes Jain (H) (714) 529-5874 sailesjain@aol.com

JCYC PRESIDENTS

Rushabh Doshi (562) 884-7878 Rushabh1999@gmail.com

JAIN SENIOR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT RELIGIOUS COMMITTEE CHAIR

Kantilal Shah (949) 459-8299 kantilal.shah@jaincenter.net Dr. Mahendra Shah (H) (714) 369-8701 mahendra.shah@jaincenter.net

MAHAVIR MAHILA MANDAL PRESIDENT JAIN STUDY GROUP JAIN ASSOCIATION OF YOUNG ADULTS (JAYA)

Padmaben Shah (H) (714) 670-7854 Prashant Shah prashant127@gmail.com Vipin Vadecha (H) (909) 861-2677

Sanam Chekuri (714) 423-9860 sanamchekuri@gmail.com

Temple Hours of Operation Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.