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Jainism in a Global Perspective
JAINA. This concept is so new but also unnatural for us Jains. This is still in an experimental stage. There are forces always to derail this experiment and destabilize this organization. If we Jains want to be a member of the world religious community and become a global religion, then we not only have to create strong national Jaina organizations in each country where Jains live but also to create and establish an international organization like World Buddhist Congress, World council of Churches etc. Until this happens Jainism will remain into a closet.
Another challenge that we Jains face is that we must discard the baggage of sectarianism, language, orthdoxy and regionalism that we first generation immigrants brought with us from India. Sometime because of this baggage, we see its ugly head which causes friction in the community. We have come here with different upbringing, religious traditions, practices, languages, food habits, but we are a small number, scattered all over North America, separated by large distances. Also we are educated, open minded, affluent, and acomplished professionals. It is time that we leave or discard all this baggage that divides us and concentrate on factors that unite us. Until that happens our energies will be fragmented and will not be strong internally.
I can go on and on. Also I have not drawn up a blue print for the next year or next decade. This has to be done by the leaders united in purpose.
Recently at the Jaina convention, I asked a good friend of mine and well known clinical psychologist, Dr. Michael Giannelli of Los Angeles about the identity, and role of Jains in North America. Here are his views : "At the Pittsburgh convention, some Jains directed my attention to certain problems encountered by Jainism in North America. These difficulties include: no tradition of evangelism of self-promotion; abstinence from political activism : being open-minded "to a fault;" being handicapped by racial and ethnic prejudice; a tendency for self-segregation among older Jains; and, concern about cultural erosion among younger Jains. As a doctor of clinical psychology and an animal rights advocate, I truly believe that Jainism has a great deal to offer, despite its problems. Jainism can exercise a powerful and positive role on American Culture, without having to compromise any of its inspiring traditional values.
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