Jain Digest 1991 01

SR No.: 527041
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 44
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 7 MB

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JAIN DIGEST
I collected as many proofs and documents as possible including my birth certificate and a certificate from my gurus. I did my best to explain to the board about Jain religion and my belief in non-violence. It took 21 months to persuade the government, but I was granted the conscientious objector status in the end.
I hope this will help all Jains to cope with the turmoil in the world today. Dr. Dhiraj Shah Buffalo, NY
Pro-vegetarian
Dear Editor:
In nearly every paper or magazine you read these College Jains
days, many column inches are devoted to green issues, saving the planet's resources, making sure that everything we do is environmentally friendly. We all try to play our part in "saving" whether by recycling paper, using bottle banks, buying ozone friendly products, even growing our own fruit and vegetables. All this publicity has given us a conscience,
hasn't it?
Has it?
How many of us who feel strongly about making sure we don't harm our planet has ever given a thought to how we harm animals? Yes, I know, the majority of us are animal lovers, aren't we?
Are we?
How then can we square our conscience when we eat
animals?
I know many people are reducing their intakes of meat these days, and pasta, pulses and pizza have become much more popular-and these are certainly just as healthy as long as we eat a well-balanced diet.
Two important points have encouraged people to become vegetarians, apart from the healthy eating aspect. First of all, vast areas of land have to be preserved for grazing this is certainly an inefficient use of our natural resources. These areas would be much more productive if they were converted to the growing of organic fruit, vegetables, etc.
Second, and I think even more vital, is the inhumane way in which animals are reared and slaughtered for our food. Whatever your thoughts on the subject, it cannot be right that animals live their lives in cruel and cramped conditions, some of them never even seeing the light of day, and many never able to come into contact with their young apart from basic feeding.
Campaigns are afoot, both nationally and internationally, to try and improve the conditions in which animals live and to try and encourage a more humane way of slaughtering them. There is a campaign currently in schools known as "SCREAM" (School Campaign for Reaction Against Meat) which is trying to make children aware of these issues. If you get the chance to read any of this literature, please do so, and if you would like any more information, please contact Lynne Goodall ar Coventry via All-in-1.
Just to end with a few facts and figures: Vegetarianism is practiced by over 3.25 million people in Britain. About a quarter of Vegetarian Society members are under 18, their
Jain Education Intemational
number increasing by over 1,000 in the past year alone. Vegetarians come in all shapes, sizes and ages and stages and align themselves to various sub groups. If you eat food from plant sources and nothing else you are a vegan or strict vegetarian. The less purist are content with lacto-vegetarianism, which means that they eat dairy produce such as milk, cheese, eggs and yogurt- most newly converted teenagers fall into this category.
If you'll excuse the pun: I hope I have given you a little food for thought!
Pam Gilkes
Dear Editor:
Jain youths in college and universities should be on the mailing list of the Jain Digest. It will help them to be in touch with what is going on in the Jain community nationally and internationally, and also provide them with information about matrimonial ads. Moreover, a subscription will help them to remain in touch with the Jain community after they leave college and settle in a new place, perhaps even helping them to establish contacts there.
To achieve this objective, please mail the names and addresses of Jain youths of your cities in college/universities to my address so that a consolidated list may be prepared. Jagat P. Jain 66 Viscount Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221
Jain marriage ceremony
Dear Editor:
The tradition of Jain marriage ceremony was first instituted by first Tirthankar Rashab Deva as mentioned in our earliest scriptures called "AGAMAS."
Jains around the world must insist upon a marriage ceremony performed according to the prayers and rituals prescribed under the Jain religion, thereby maintaining our identity.
In India, any Jain who has some knowledge of Sanskrit and experience in reciting scriptures and Puja, can perform a Jain marriage ceremony in the Jain community. Jains do not require a Brahmin Pandit to do any of the Pujas and rituals. I am sure there must be some Jains living in North America who are able to help our fellow Jains whenever someone needs this important aspect of life.
I am a Jain living in North America for the last 25 years and recently my niece got married at Vancouver, B.C., Canada. As a devout Jain, it was my earnest desire to complete the marriage ceremony according to Jain-prescribed text and tradition. Luckily, I had in my collection, "Jain Vivaha Sanskar," a book written by the renowed Jain scholar Pandit Nathu Lallji Jain Shastri of Indore, M.P., India. I studied the above book, gathered all the required objects and materials needed to preform a Jain wedding. This was a big challenge for me in North America. However, "where there
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