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 14

Jain
more I learn about Jainism, the more I want to know why. For a period of time, I was on a streak of asking why on every Jain
discussion topic, but with the simple teachings from visiting dignitaries and Pathshala, I soon why? realized that being a Jain shouldn't revolve around knowing the whys of everything. As a Jain, why?
our first approach should be to accept Jineshwar Bhagwan's sermons instead of searching for the answers to the whys. Practicing Jainism begins with the right faith and following the core
Jain principles (Ahimsa, Satya, Achurya, Brahamacharya, and Aparigraha) in our daily lives. why?
Learning the in-depth details and following Jain Principles will help find answers, enlighten spiritual beliefs, and guide you on the path of attaining 'Moksha.
Why
I am a fortunate and blessed Jain in Chicago. Being in North America, I have endless resources and opportunities which other Young Jains may not have in other parts of the world. My ability to connect my actions and knowledge with Jainism has defined how I've grown up. Jainism is not something I follow, it is my way of life. I am a proud Jain.
Parthvi Harde, Age17 Jain Center of Greater Phoenix
Growing up with any sort of religious path isn't the easiest thing to do, especially if that religion isn't widely practiced in the area you live in. For me, growing up as a Jain meant I had a certain moral path already picked out for me. As years went on and I became more mature, I realized that even if I had the choice to pick a different religion I would still choose Jainism every single
time. Being a Jain never meant we had strict guidelines as to what we could or couldn't do but rather it was about becoming a person who is the ideal Jain and that meant looking within ourselves. No doubt, sometimes the constant idea of becoming a perfect Jain was overwhelming, especially with all the foreign influences in school and in our social circles; but in the end it made me a stronger believer in what Jains stand for. The characteristics that people use to describe me have all come about because I am a Jain and being a Jain means I am a person with moral value. Compassionate, peaceful, loving, humble - all these words are just a set of colloquial terms for our Jain beliefs.
These days I am much more aware of who I am and what responsibilities come with being a Jain. When I was younger I didn't feel any heavy obligations to my religion, except for this one time in fourth grade. My best friend back then wasn't a vegetarian, but we both were extreme animal lovers. So one day I popped the question out there, why do you eat the animals that you love so much? My memory of this is a little faded, but I do remember that my friend didn't change overnight. I had enough maturity to know that I shouldn't force my beliefs onto someone else. However, I did try to convince her as persuasively as possible so she could see where I was coming from. People who eat meat don't want to constantly hear how violently animals are killed. Hence rather than focusing on that, I told her how animals have feelings too. Connecting our shared love for dogs and horses I linked that back to how chicken are no different than dogs and she would never be okay with hurting a dog. With the little reminders that chicken have families and feelings, she soon became a vegetarian and she felt proud of her decision.
Chickens Have Feelings Too!
Since then all my friends have started to discover themselves more and now we engage in discussions rather than convincing each other to see each other's viewpoints. Even though I grew up in Arizona most of my life and was surrounded by people who may or may not understand who I am as a person, I am proud to be a Jain. I think that the most important thing in order to fully believe and practice one's religion is that one must never be ashamed of it. Being best friends with a Vaishnav, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh I know that I have never thought twice about identifying myself as a Jain to them.