Vision For the Next 25 Years for Jain Center of Greater Boston (& Jains in NA)

1. Vision For the Next 25 Years for Jain Center of Greater Boston (& Jains in NA) Jain Center of Greater Boston Pratishtha Ceremony – June 2009

2. June 2002 - Pratistha Celebration

3. Our Plan for the day • Bhavana 2:30 to 3.00 PM • Vision for JCGB/ and Jains in North America • Evolve – our JWOL practices • Educate – our Jains and Non-Jains • Expand – Awareness of our JWOL • Energize – our local and national organizations • Gurudev Chitrabhanuji • (Cont.) Vision for Jains in JCGB/NA • General Body announcements • Dinner

4. Why we need a Vision? • What must accompany a vision?

5. Jain Centers JAINA Jain Centers JAINA NA Jains NA Jains Vision

6. What was our Vision when we started JCGB in mid-1970?

8. Early Years

9. Our Dream Came True

10. Our Dream Came True • Inauguration in 1981- Acharya Sushil Kumarji was present to inaugurate our temple • Jains and Non Jains joined in celebration

11. Jain Center of Greater Boston • A rich history and heritage • 1st temple (1981) and 2nd Jain center (1973) in USA • Serves over 300 families in New England area • Innovative, progressive and pioneer in many areas • Hosted 1st Pathshala Teachers Convention(1998)

12. Evolve – Educate – Expand - Energize • #1 EVOLVE maintain and update traditional Jain practices and adopt new relevant JWOL practices for NA

13. Evolve: Unity in Diversity • 18 days of Paryushana/Das Laxan • Hosts two distinguished Scholars • Practice Anekantvad and Unity • Pathshala students joint Puja • Asthprakari Puja (Swetamber tradition) and • Dev Shastra Guru Puja (Digamber tradition) • Learn different rituals, appreciate Diversity • Pathshala (Religious+Language) classes every month

14. New Idols Pratishtha - 2002 • Added two marble murti’s and namokar mantra shila • Pratishtha ceremony performed by Bhattarak Devendrakirtiji and Gurudev Chitrabhanuji

15. What new rituals and practices should we add / modify? • For Youths, Adults, Seniors • For Non-Jains

16. Silk • Leather • Dairy • Limits on Shoes, Shirts.. • Dietary limits • Alcohol

17. Live and Promote JWOL #1 EVOLVE- our JWOL practices Avoiding Silk, Leather, animal tested products Rituals Refresh New 6 6 5% TODAY 15% Year 2020

18. Evolve - our traditional Jain practices by adopting the Jain Way of Life to the modern, North American lifestyle.

19. Live and Promote JWOLEvolve – Educate – Expand - Energize • EDUCATE Jain and non-Jains in JWOL to create a strong, united, and vibrant Jain community

20. Pathshala Directors & Teachers • Pankaj Shah • Hemant Shah • Preeti Jain • Vandana Jain • Rajesh Mehta • Mamta Mehta • Rajendra Jain • Ratilal Dodhia • Yogendra Jain • Kishore Shah

21. JCGB Publications • Book by Dr.Prem Suman Jain 1984 “ Essentials of Jainism • Free mailings of Jain Study Circular (1981-87) • Prayer Book 1987 • Pathshala Books – Dr. Dodhia, Yogendra Jain, Rajendra Jain • Numerous Puja Books, Prayers Books, Sutras, etc.

22. (cont.) Leadership in Original publication • Essential of Jainism edited by Dr. Prem Jain (1984) • Prayer Book – 1st in USA (1987) • Sponsored publications of Tattvarth Sutra, Bhaktambar Stotra CD • Jain Food – published by Laxmi Jain (2006) • JWOL – published by Yogendra Jain (2007)

24. JCGB has been very active in educating Jains in North America? • Educational Materials • Plays • Lectures/Seminars • Displays

29. Active Participation in JAINA • 1993 Pittsburg - Theme “Jain Experience” • Exhibits included samovasaran, philosophy of Jain food, history and timeline of Jainism, path to liberation, life story of Lord Mahavira, Nem-Rajul drama and a computer quiz • 1995 Chicago- Academic Bowl and cultural program • 1997 Toronto- Multimedia presentation of Tattvarth Sutra, Ancient Scripture Comes Alive. • 1999 Philadelphia- Jain Bowl, Gunasthan presentation, 21st century Jain Life Play, Tapestry – An interactive map of Jainism. • 2001 Chicago- Comparative study of world religions presentation, Cultural presentation • 2003 Cincinnati- Reconciling and Strengthening our Faith, Rebranding and Repackaging of Jainism, and Cultural presentation. • 2005 Santa Clara, California- Jain way of life JWOL presentation by Young Jains of Boston, Jain Bowl, Cooking competition Iron Chef with Tarla Dalal • 2007 New Jersey, Jain Way of Life

30. Strong Focus on Education • In late 70’s pathshala began with few students. Teaching material was handwritten • Regular pathshala began in 1982 with 25 kids. Teaching material was prepared for different levels. This material later became a guide for current JAINA educational books • 1998 First pathshala teachers convention • Presently 120 kids, Level 1 to 6 and now for ages 2+ and up

31. Great past in educating Pathshala – What is the future? - How do we need to change?

32. Live and Promote a JWOL #2 EDUCATE- Jains/Non-Jains in JWOL Follow Jain Way of Life 50% 20% TODAY Yr.2020

33. Great past in educating Jains – but mostly for Jains – what about for Mix-Jains?Non-Jains?

34. Live and Promote JWOLEvolve – Expand – Educate - Energize • EXPAND and create awareness and impact trends through strategic partnerships with media, institutions, and non-Jain organizations

35. Expand - Awareness • Why are we such an unknown religion and organization in Boston area (& NA) – despite being here for 35 years? • Do we want to be well known?

36. Live and Promote JWOL #3 EXPAND – Awareness 12x 500K Jains 6M for Buddhism 20x 152 Jainism 3,300 Buddhist Deepak Chopra Message Promote Brand Position Alliance

37. Early Years – 1975-1994 • Gurudev Chitrabhanuji conducted classes for Jains and non Jains in Belmont every month

38. Early Years – 1975-1994 • 1975 Acharya Sushilkumarji with his 2 disciples and 20 leading Jains arrived from India. All were hosted at Rindge Towers. • 1980-87 Distribution of Jain Study Circular, published by D.C. Jain of NY • 1982-1994 Conducted National Essay Competition

39. Use of Media in our Early Years! • November 18, 1975 Channel 4 TV, WNBC aired a JCGB program of Aarti and Mangal Devo in their “Show of Faith” Sunday morning program (with Sushil Muni)

40. Live and Promote JWOL #3 Expand – Awareness Heard of Jainism/ JWOL 6M .5 M TODAY Year 2020

41. Active participation @JAINA & YJA conventions • Presentations, workshops, skits, Surveys e • Tattavarth Sutra, JWOL, Comparative Religions • Exhibition – Jain Experience, History of Jainism, Jain temple replica • Cultural programs (Rishabhdev Play at JAINA 2006, Nem-Rajul Dance Drama, Jaina Rap, Dances) • Jain Quiz and games • Jain Academic Bowls

42. Think outside of the box (or Jain center!) • Jain Directory for North America & Canada • Forge alliances with organizations having Jain compatible values • Participate in interfaith activities • Participate in Vegetarian Food festival • Expose to Jainism and promote it’s core values • Service projects: Vegetarian Dinner for Homeless, Walk for Hunger • Jain Link - on-line Jain community

43. Expand - Awareness • How do we expand awareness among Non-Jains? • Who should we share JWOL • How should we do it?

44. EXPAND – awareness through strategic partnerships with media, institutions, and non-Jain organizations. 

45. Evolve – Educate – Expand - Energize • ENERGIZE our organization through volunteers and donations and create a strong vibrant professionally run central Jain organization

46. Past Presidents of JCGB • Pradip Gosalia • Ashok Shah • Suren Shah • Viren Shah • Ambuj Jain • Shrey Shah • Jitendra Vora • Vinay Jain • Dinesh Dalal • Rati Dodhia • Vasant Gandhi • Chandrakant Khasgiwala • Chandrakant Vora • Mukund Mehta • Anil Shah

47. Second Jain Center in North America • 1973 Small groups of Jain Families celebrated Jain festivals at Rindge Ave, Cambridge. • September 9, 1973 at Paryushan parv celebration meeting in Malden, Mass it was decided to establish a Jain Center • Religious discourse and Parv celebrations were conducted in the halls of the MIT, Harvard, and other community centers

48. JCGB – Our Core • Active Vibrant Community • 300 plus members • No membership fee, but people donate generously • Unity, nonsectarian approach in all our activities • Education- Pathshala and Publication • Not a local center but a national center and a leader

49. Attributes of Best Practices for a Jain Center • Be innovative and progressive thinkers • Don’t be afraid of change! • Respect Diversity + Practice unity • Involve Everyone!! • Empower them

50. Effect of Pathshala on our younger generations How do our kids benefits from it How to encourage more participations? Why is Pathshala more important in US then in India?