 |
|
Name
|
Date
|
| Pujya Prof. Padmanabh Jaini | 04/16/00 |
| Pujya Dr. Hukumchandji Bharill Saheb | 06/06 - 06/12/00 |
| Pujya Dr. Soneji - Atmanandji Saheb | 06/24 - 07/04/00 |
| Pujya Shri Chitrabhanu Saheb | 07/05 - 07/07/00 |
| Pujya Sunandaben Vohora | 07/06 - 07/20/00 |
| Shri Narendrabhai Nandu | 07/22 - 07/23/00 |
| Pujya Shri Jinchandraji Maharaj | 07/29 - 07/30/00 |
| Pujya Shri Nalinbhai Kothari | 08/08 - 08/09/00 |
| Pujya Dr. Kumarpal Desai for Puryushan | 08/26 - 09/02/00 |
| Pujya Tarlaben Doshi for Das Laxana | 09/03 - 09/12/00 |
| Pujya Dr. Jitendrabhai Shah | 09/20 - 09/23/00 |
| Pujya Shri Dhirajlal Mehta | 09/25 - 10/01/00 |
Prof. Padmanabh Jaini is an eminent Jain scholar and ex-professor of
Asian Studies at the University of California at Berkeley. Professor
has published many articles and books on Jainism, the most popular and
well accepted book is "Jain Path of Purification" which is
used by many as a reference book. He has been part of our Jain Center
since its formation. He was one of the main advisors for the exihibition
"Peaceful Liberators" held at the LACMA in Los Angeles.
Dr. Bharil, an alumni of Songadh under Shri Kanji Swami is a very popular
Scholar in our Jain Community. He was born 1934 in Utar Pradesh and
studied up to MA and PhD in Literature. He gives the religious discourses
in a very simple, attractive manner, so that everyone can grasp the
knowledge without difficulties. He has traveled a lot in India and overseas.
He is an accomplished author and a thinker. He has written more than
40 books on various different aspect of Jain religious philosophy, some
of which have been translated in eight different languages. Ours is
among very few centers that he has been visiting regularly.
Dr. Soneji was born in India in 1931, completed his MBBS study at Ahmadabad,
and went to UK for his post-graduate studies. He returned to India in
1966 and established a private hospital which is now being run by Dr.
Sharmisthaben Soneji.
From a very young age, Dr. Soneji has a great inclination towards satsang,
swadhyay, yoga, sadhana and introspective thinking. From 1969, he gradually
started reducing his active medical practice to devote himself to intensive
spiritual studies. He has written and edited more than 15 books on various
aspects of spiritual life. He has undertaken the monthly publication
of "Divya Dhwani".
In 1981, he founded Adhyatmik Sadhana Kendra at Koba, near Ahmadabad
with facilities for residence and studies so that individual can have
the benefit of his personal spirtual guidance.
Gurudev Chitrabhanuji has always blessed JCSC from the very beginning
and has visited several times in the past. He is a world renowned Jain
philosopher and has contributed tremendously to the progress of our
Jain Center. He is a Sanskrit scholar and speaks Hindi, Gujarati, English
and many other languages. He opened a Jain Meditation center in New
York city in 1973. He was the main force behind the formation of JAINA.
Gurudev's main commitment is to spread the message of AHIMSHA. He explains
the art of living in a very simplified manner, thus controlling anger,
ego, greed and other vices. He has written many books on Jain philosophy.
Sunandaben Vohora practiced Jainisum at a very early age, and Gandhiji's
influence led her to serve the poor, handicapped human beings, specially
women at the country side. She spent 12 years with Shri Vimlatai Thakar
on Meditation and self-realization. She has written many books on various
religious subjects. Furthermore, she has written books for children,
women, meditation, peace and salvation. She has travelled exentsively
in India and other countries like USA, Europe, and Africa. She teaches
many religious classes. In fact, she was instrumental in starting the
adult religious swadhyay class at our Jain Center in Los Angeles area.
Shri Narendrabhai Nandu is a dedicated disciple of Shri. Chandrashekharji
Maharaj and Archarya Gunodaysagarji Maharaj; has intensively and extensively
studied Jainism, about Pujas and related subjects under the holy guidance
of these two spiritual leaders. Shri Narendrabhai Nandu has been performing
various auspicious Pujas (Shidhachakraji, Bharktamar-stotra, 108 Abhishek,
Shanti-stotra and uvasagarm - to name a few), bhavnas and religious
drams (including directing youths for drama), and giving lectures since
last 16 years. He gives an average of 200 religious programs a year.
In addition, he aides and participates in about 80 Jinalaya (temple)
Pratisthas a year in accordance with the most auspicious Jain canonical
books. He guides and helps raising the necessary funds for building
Jain temples. When requested, he takes complete responsiblitity of building
a Jain temple. Currently, he has undertaken two such projects. He practices
what he preaches. He is accompanied by his son, 14 year old Kayvan and
his brother's son, 9 year old Jay Kishore. Both of them have been performign
various auspicious Pujas since they were 6 years old.
N/A
Param Pujya Shri Nalinbhai Kothari
Param Pujya Shri Nalinbhai is a disciple of Param Pujya Shri LadakchandBhai
Vora of Sayla. (P.P. Shri Bapuji).
He has embarked on this Dharma Yatra to celebrate 100th anniversary
of Deh Vilay of Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandra. An international
Committee has been formed to celebrate the anniversary under the sponsorship
of three institutions. They are: Shrimad Rajchandra Janmbhuvan Trust
(Vavania), Shri Raj-Sobhag Ashram (Sayla) and Institute of Jainology
(London). The primary objective of the year long celebrations is to
increase the awareness of Param Krupalu Dev and his teachings on Jainism.
N/A
Tarlaben
is a well known scholar participating ineducational activities for adults
as well as teachers. She has studied Jain sciptures deeply and throughly.
Currently, she is an editor of "Jain Prakash" - a publication
of All India S.S. Jain conference. She contributes articals on Jain
philosophy in various Jain magazines regularly. She gives discourses
during Paryusan and other occasions. She has a Masters Degree and pursuing
for Ph.D. She is a simple, spiritual lady who is always ready to educate
people selflessly. She lectured at various cities within the USA.
Top
Dr. Jitendrabhai Shah has eloquently enlightened many Jain Centers for
the last three years in U.S.A. Dr. Shah traveled to U.K., Germany, Thailand,
Japan and Singapore. He has Ph. D. in Jainism (Gold Medal) from Banaras
Hindu University. Dr. Shah has written many books and knows many languages
like Gujarati, Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali. Under his
guidance, about 350 canonical Jain Books are being computerized; they
will be available through Internet soon. He is editor of several Jain
Magazines. Dr. Shah teaches Sadhu/Sadhvijis.
Presently Dr. Shah is a Director of L. D. Istitute of Indology, Ahmadabad
and a Research Director of Shardaben Chimanlal Education Research Center
and Vice Chairman of B. L. Institute of Indology.
Pandit Dhirajlal Mehta is an eminent scholar of Jainism from Surat,
India. He joined Shri Yashovijayji Jain Sanskrit Pathshala in Mahesana,
Gujarat when he was thirteen years old. There he studied Jain scriptures
for eight years.
Panditji, a student and later a teacher of famous Jain School of Mahesana
teaches Jain Religion & granth to many Shravaks and Shravikas, Sadhus
& Sadhviji. Panditji also an accomplished writer who has written
almost a dozen books on various subjects in very simple and easy to
understand language.