JSGD Bylaws  | JSGD Constitution
The Jain Society of Greater Detroit, Inc. was founded in 1975 as a religious organization to provide a forum for Jains to observe and perform various activities related to Jainism, to preserve Jain culture for future generations, and to promote fellowship among all Jains. Starting with 50 families in 1975, the total membership in 2008 had reached 449 with 416 life members.
Since 1975, every year society activities have been significantly increasing to reach new milestone. Some of the milestone highlights include:
1975: Formation of Jain Society by the founder members. Announcement was made on radio to invite members for the Jain religious activity. First Snatra puja was performed. Ninety people from Lansing, Toronto, Windsor, and Metro Detroit area attended the puja. First Samvatsari pratikraman was held.
1976: Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated for the first time. Paryushana Purva was celebrated for the first time. Mahavir Nirvan Din was celebrated for the first time.
1977: Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Celebration of religious holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Purva. Contacted Chicago, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington Jain Society to exchange ideas.
1978: First adult member performed �Atthai� during paryushana. First religious scholar Devendrakirtiji visited our society.
1979: Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Celebration of religious holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Purva. 1980: Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Celebration of religious holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Purva.
1980: Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Celebration of religious holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Purva.
1981: First Executive Committee elected by general body. Celebration of Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana and Diwali. Religious lectures by scholars. Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Jain Society Constitution passed and adopted for the first time. Incorporated as a non-profit organization.
1982: Society was granted non-profit tax-exempt status by IRA. First summer camp for adults and children. First Father's Day family picnic.
1983: First study class for children was organized in April.
1984: Acharaya Shree Sushilkumarji attended summer camp.
1985: First study class for adults. Hosted third Jain Convention of North America in Detroit. Acharaya Shree Sushilkumarji and Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu attended the third Jain Convention of North America. Society member successfully completed varsitap.
1986: Performed first Siddachakra pujan. Samovsaran was donated to Jain Society. Established �Clothes Donation� program for needy family in India. Membership grown from 50 families to over 200 families.
1987: Life time membership was introduced for the members. Meruteras Puja was scheduled for the first time.
1988: Newsletter was named �Jain Vani.� Parna for �Sakal Sangh� after paryushana. Jivdaya collections started for the first time. Meruteras Puja was added to the yearly scheduled activities.
1989: Bought the property at 29250 West Twelve Mile Road for the temple project. First youth member performed �Atthai� during paryushana. Triputi Bandhu Maharaj attended summer camp.
1990: Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Celebration of religious holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Purva.
1991: Bhumi Pujan. First fund raising dinner organized by the Society. 1992: Shila Ropan ceremony for the temple was performed. First mass-Khaman completed by a member of the Society.
1992: Shila Ropan ceremony for the temple was performed. First mass-Khaman completed by a member of the Society.
1993: Constitution committee recommended two separate governing bodies � Board of Trustees and Executive Board. Formation of Jain Organization of Youth (JOY). Purchased property adjacent to temple site. Temple was opened in the new house.
1994: Bhavna and Snatra Puja. Celebration of religious holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushana Purva.
1995: First phase of temple project was approved for 2.5 million dollars. Fifth fund raising dinner organized by the Society. Organized Sangh Yatra by Bus to Pittsburgh Jain Temple.
1996: Dr. Hukumchand Bharil attended summer camp.
1997:Over 160 families performed the Brick Laying Ceremony.
1998: Completed a Historic 10 Days of Pratishtha Mahotsav ceremony of newly constructed temple (June 27 � July 6). Pratishtha vidhi performed by Shree Narendrabhai Nandu. Temple Dwar opening ceremony completed on July 6.
1999: First Temple Anniversary was celebrated. Celebrated Paryushana Purva with Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanu.
2000: Second Temple anniversary was celebrated. Aarti for all eleven idols in temple were performed. Twenty-fifth anniversary celebration. Tenth fund raising dinner was organized by the Society
2001: Third temple anniversary was celebrated. Siddhachakra Pujan & 108 Arihant Abhiskek Pujan was performed.
2002: Pratishtha Mahotsav for 24 tirthankar in bhomati area was celebrated. 4 Mungal murties were installed on main Shikhar. Uvasaggharam Pujan, Guru Gautamswami Pujan, Navkar aradhana, Saraswati aradhana and Shalibhadra Drama was performed.
2003: Fifth temple anniversary celebrated. 24 tirthankar�s Chhatra & Dhwaja ceremony. Eleventh Fund raising dinner.
2004: Sixth temple anniversary celebrated. 24 tirthankar�s Mugat & Dhwaja ceremony. Shatrunjay & Saraswati aradhana was performed. $50,000 donated by Prakash Jain family during twelveth Fund raising dinner. Purviben Shah & Pravinaben Ravani completed Varsi tap tapsya.
2005: 30th anniversary of JSGD was celebrated. Seventh temple anniversary.
2006: Eighth temple anniversary celebrated. A Snatra puja was performed to celebrate the payment of remaining balance owed to the bank.
2007: Nineth temple anniversary. 25th Anniversary celebration of Swapna Darshan ceremony. Maas khaman along with Maun done by Harsukhbhai Doshi. Bhartiben Shah & Jyotiben Shah completed Varsi tap tapsya.
2008: 10-day celebration of Tenth Temple Anniversary. 25th Anniversary of the Study class was celebrated. Visited by Pittsburg, New Jersey, Toronto & Chicago Sangh.
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