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Evolution of Jainism in North America, Achievements and Challenges
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The U.S. is a pragmatic, results-oriented country. In my view, Jains would do well to tap into this temperament and chiefly by example -- appeal to a wide variety of "special interest" groups by finding common ground with them. For example, to the animal rights community, Jains may honestly say, "We too have a strong commitment to animal protection. Let's talk." To advocates of higher education, Jains may say, "We also place great value on learning. To worldly proponents of financial prosperity, Jains may say, "We too value affluence, not simply for personal betterment, but also to support social altruism." To connoisseurs of fine art, Jains may say, "We have treasured fine art and cultural programming for millennia." To health conscious consumers, Jains may say, "Physical health is one major benefit from our vegetarianism." To activists for world peace, Jains may say, "Ahiṁsā is the foundation of our lifestyle." To environmental adherents, Jains may say, "Our historical tradition teaches us to cherish our earth and its ecology." To those seeking a spiritual reawakening, Jains may say, "Our ancient culture has much to offer regarding religion and philosophy." And so forth.
Jainism's adherents need not try to become "salesmen" in the crowded and competitive American marketplace of Ideas, attempting to join the so-called "mainstream." Jainism does not need to "commercialize" nor "advertise." Americans are value conscious, and the true test of the value in Jainism is its remarkable history and the impressive accomplishments of its people. Just as appealing-and so urgently needed in the troubled world of today-is the compassionate and benevolent vitality which Jainism is eager to share with all."
This is just a short list of broad challenges. We Jains outside India have a special duty and also a place in history. This is now morning here
dit is a wake up call for we Jains. Let us not procrastinate but get started.
Let it be our cause to do our very best and be proud of being Jain. Within us individually these should be a searching, a reaching, a grasping, or a quizzical attitude, a questioning of society, a questioning of ourselves.
I believe, we are doing O.K. but we can do much better. Remember, the only limits as always are those of vision.
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