Jain Journal 1981 07

SR No.: 520063
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1981
Total Pages: 46
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 36

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(An outsider's first impressions of Jainism)
WITOLD L. LANGROD
When we are thinking about India, frequently what we know about this biggest, after China, country does not remain in proportion with the magnitude of its problems, the number of its inhabitants, the variety of its ethnic, social and religious groups etc. I, anyhow, in spite of my frequent planning to visit this distant country, have never been there and know very little about all this. I may be ashamed of my ignorance, but let whom is without sin, throw a stone on me...
My limitations came to light when someone mentioned one of the Indian religions, Jainism. Even its name was unknown to me ; or I may have forgotten it, since some long time ago I did read Max Weber's Study on the Religions of India where a chapter is devoted to Jainism. However in Huston Smith's Classical Study on World's Religions Jainism is not even mentioned.
But now I do know a little about Jainism. I could say that I got such knowledge owing to a miracle, but this wouldn't be fair in relation to Jainism, since this faith does not believe in miracles or revelations. Let's say, therefore, that I got it through an accident : a lady, in a casual conversation, mentioned a forthcoming gathering to be led by a Jaina monk who, after a long ascetic life, left his congregation and country, and settled in New York. My hesitation as to whether to accept her invitation to attend such meeting was not long, since the summer had started very hot, I felt tired and lonely, and the lady was interesting (and, to say the truth, pretty).
Thus that week-end I found myself in a nice Long Island home, close to the bay. About fifty or sixty persons were accomodated in a big garden on the lawn, among flower beds, in the sun or in the shadow of trees, under the twitter of birds. The group included many ladies, some elder university professors, and many youngsters, probably students. I gathered from their behavior that many of them, if not all, had participated at such encounters previously. All appeared to be Americans, but some added to their own names, some Indian ones, like Brahmi, Rakesh, Bansi, Vimala and Arya. A number of them reclined on the grass and with eyes closed, were plunged in deep meditation. A group of