Jain Digest 2016 08

SR No.: 527140
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA
Publication Year: 2016
Total Pages: 44
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Jain Digest, & USA
File Size: 6 MB

Page 10

Jain
Sonia Ghelani is currently a marketing manager at Texas Instruments. She is an active member of the Jain Society of North Texas, Dallas. She is also a member of JAINA's Long-Range Planning
Committee and volunteers her time as a Pathshala co-teacher. When I was first asked to come speak about how the and seeing those that are on that path provides the rest of Jain Society of North Texas Jain Temple has helped me, us with the inspiration to move along that path. the obvious came to mind. I can say my Navkar Mantra, believe in Ahimsa, Aparigraha and Anekantvaad, and try Humility allows us to have an appreciation for others to follow the five pillars of Jainism as best as I can. and inspires us to be better. In school, this kept me from
being upset, when having not done well in a test. In But as I began to think more about how this Jain dance, humility made me practice harder and appreciate Community has shaped who I am, I realized that the life criticism. At work, it's helped me to continue to refine my lessons learned growing up as a part of this Samaj extend leadership skills. way beyond the obvious. These life skills allowed me to excel in school, at work and in my social life, and many of Leadership: My first remembrances of being a club officer these skills can be directly traced back to having emanated actually began here, in the ladies restroom of the old temple from within the walls of temple. Though the list is long, building. There, my friends and I started GWA (Girls I've narrowed it down to following top three.
With Attitude) and CGC (the Craft Girls Club), and a few
other clubs with relatively the same members. Later, our Respect for others: Let's face it. Growing up in this leadership abilities evolved as we stepped into high school community has taught me that my parents are not just and Jadavji uncle's Pathshala class, when we promised to Jitubhai and Dakshaben. The list is long, and includes uphold the existing Jain Youth Group Constitution. A few aunties and uncles who have held my best interest at heart. of us even continued to broaden our leadership abilities by "Please help put up these chairs", or "can you help serve becoming involved with YJA, the Young Jains of America the water, beta?” is really code for "we want you to learn an umbrella organization under JAINA. It was here we to do your part too". Raising children in this society is a learned that leadership was not just merely having a title, responsibility that is gladly shared across all, challenging but by building a followership grounded on leading by us to be more respectful, courteous, thoughtful and example, delegating and connecting with others. agreeable.
Growing up here in the Jain Center has helped me gain Having respect for others steers us away from being the some of the key skills and qualities. Now I look for some big, bad bully on the school playground, or from keeping these qualities such as leading by example, having the our employees at work too late every day. Bullying is drive to do the best, and ability to influence others; in something that has taken the spotlight in the news those who come looking for a job at Texas Instruments, lately, and I wonder how
where I work. things would be different if everyone could learn to
As you can see, our Jain Society provides us more than respect the way we did,
just a place to worship. The list doesn't just end with while growing up.
respect, humility, and leadership, but also extends to is not thinking less of yourself
courage (just take the example of all the kids here who Humility: Sure, I think
but thinking of yourself less
perform for us on the stage year after year), friendship I'm a pretty good Jain. I've
- CS Lewis
(with a Pathshala of 300 kids strong, it's hard to not make memorized the Navkar
friends for life), discipline (I mean, why else would we be Mantra and a few stotras, try to attend swadhyay or out of bed early every Sunday for Pathshala week after pratikraman if I'm in town, and keep a picture of Mahavir week), and perspective (you seriously can't ignore key Bhagwan at my apartment. I could sit back and pat myself principles like Anekantvaad and not apply it in daily life). on the back for a job well done and tell myself to keep It's a sacred place where the next generation can grow into up the good work, but instead I take encouragement from high-functioning, positive adults with a drive to leave a those I see here trying to be even better Jains by taking positive mark on society. These four walls didn't just teach these steps further. “Being Jain" isn't a state of being or me about Jainism -- they taught me life skills. I am grateful a moment of achievement -- it's an evolutionary process, to all those who have played a part in shaping my life.