Dr Harshad N Sanghrajka, our Hon. Secretary/Director was invited jointly by Shree Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh and Young Jains of Nairobi to celebrate Paryushan Parva 2011 with them.
Programmes were planned for two weeks commencing 20th August, 2011.
Four sessions were delivered every day at the following times:
06.30 08.00 IOJ/102: Atmasiddhi Shastra ~ formal course
10.30 12.00 Various subjects before Paryushan.
Kalpa Sutra and Mahavir Katha in Paryushan days
15.00 16.15 Various subjects: Amitgati Samayika verses.
18.00 20.00 Pratikramana
20.00 21.30 Stavans by the local professional group
Before Paryushan: Anandghanji Pada discussions
During Paryushan: Shravak Dharma and 12 vows.
Whilst in Nairobi, Harshadbhai was invited by Shree Visa Oshawal Community, Nairobi to attend the honouring ceremony of two tapasvis: Shantaben with 90 day fast and Kantaben with 65 day fast. During the ceremony, an English explanation was given on the topic of Tapa: Austerity. Opportunity was taken to encourage closer relationship and unity among the various Sanghs in Kenya.
A presentation using power point slides was also delivered on Sunday, 21st August at the Oshwal Centre Auditorium, Nairobi, on the subject of Pratikramana: its purpose and meaning and a full explanation of the Moortipoojak Pratikraman ritual was delivered.
On Tuesday, 23rd August, in response to a request from Visa Oshwal Community, Thika, Harshadbhai spent the afternoon to deliver an open session to the youngsters where a detailed discussion came into play regarding the reality of ‘vegetarian eggs!’
After dinner at Shree Kalpeshbhai Shah’s, a couple of social visits were undertaken before the evening session at the Mahajanwadi in which the preaching of Bhagavan Mahaveer in context to contemporary living was discussed.
Mahaveer Janma Kalyanak was observed with full buzz and circumstances brought both the Sanghs together with the Parnu in the Navnat Hall on Monday, 29th.
All planned sessions were delivered on Friday, 2nd September and the Sangh returned Harshadbhai to the Airport early on the morning of 3rd September.
The Paryushan Parva was enjoyed by all involved in organising, attending and hosting the events. Feedback from the Sangh is expected in few days.
It is very obvious from the program schedule above that it was very tightly filled and quite exerting. Harshadbhai was conducting session for over six hours daily. However, it is pleasing to note that his efforts bore fruit in that all the sessions were well attended and Q&A sessions were very lively. He also found time to participate on local radio discussion on Jain religion.
The chart below illustrates graphically the intensity of the programs:
Following letter was received from the Chairman of Shree Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh, Nairobi on completion of the tour by Harshadbhai.
