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 22

Dhara Shah, Lincoln, Rhode Island Senior Management Consultant at PwC
Bhagwan Mahavir's great message to the world was that birth and caste was insignificant, and that karma was of utmost importance since future happiness depends on the destruction of karma. We are all born with different lives. Some are rich, some are poor, some are overweight, some are slim, some are dark, and some are light. However, it is not who we are, but what we do that determines our fate.
As a child, it was fairly simple to practice Jainism in my daily life. I grew up attending functions at the Derasar, learning Jain history and scriptures through Pathshala, and being involved in the local and national Jain community events. After school, I would come home to a Jain family, pray before dinner, and then eat the vegetarian food my parents had prepared. On weekends, my social activities were always preapproved and supervised by parents. The ease of applying Jain principles in my adolescent life stemmed from the knowledge I had gained through my exposure to Jain teachings and the minimal distractions which challenged the core values of Jainism.
Admittedly, going through college and eventually moving onto my professional career, the application of Jain principles was not as simple. The knowledge was still in my mind, but so were the conflicting perspectives which challenged what I thought I knew. In fact, leading a Jain way of life was much more challenging when there was no one telling me what to think, what to say, and what to do. I had practiced Jainism all my life because I was raised to, but to stay true to the core values in absence of my parents, took courage, determination, and self-control.
There were (and still are) decisions I had to make on my own which were a test to my core beliefs. A few inspirational
Jainism leads to peace and
purity
■ Three Jewels of Right Faith,
Right Knowledge
&
Right Conduct
are the path leading to peace and purity
Jainism
Jain
teachings helped me to navigate this path on my own. One was a saying I heard at a YJA session I attended while in high school: "Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told; religion is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right." As long as I was keeping with the Three Jewels of Jainism: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct, I knew that both morality and religion were one and the same. This gave me great pride in being a Jain and even greater motivation to lead a Jain way of life.
I moved out of my house and into my first college dorm in the fall of 2008, during the exact time that Paryushan was taking place. I still remember being in freshman orientation and the program coordinators being confused as I declined to eat any root vegetables, among other vegetarian options which had been selected for me. There were many puzzled looks and probing questions from my peers on why I was fasting and not drinking water after sunset. It was humbling to be able to explain to them the principles behind Paryushan and self-control.
During that first week, I vividly remember meeting one of my now very dear friends and learning that he was also a Swetamber Jain. My newfound friend expressed to me that he had decided not to follow the strict Paryushan diet that first year of college because adjusting to the new environment in the states and also having to limit his food choices would be very difficult. While I respected his decision, at the same time, I felt a sense of pride that I was able to overcome this challenge for myself. That is what it was, a great challenge for the next five years when I followed Paryushan during the start of each undergraduate and graduate school year. At times, it was tempting to break the rules in order to "fit in" and "have fun" with my friends, especially during the late night movie and snack binges, as well as the unlimited welcome week party foods. However, I channeled the selfcontrol I had established when I completed my Atthai years prior and applied it to each of the eight days.
Aside from Paryushan, holding a vegetarian diet alone in college was not always an easy task. I remember having to get creative with my food choices, modifying meals to ensure I was getting the same amount of nutrients that I was used to at home, and at the same time ensuring no violence was involved to put food on my plate. I joined the Student Senate and as an elected officer for my class, headed the Food Services Committee. I met with the Department