YJA Convention 2000 07 LA Fourth

SR No.: 527607
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 88
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Convention YJA, & USA
File Size: 9 MB

Page 27

robust but civil fashion in the public square? Jim Antenore will explore these questions in this interactive presentation centered around Consitutional concepts.
Two readings, one ancient and one modern, will be helpful in considering these topics:
From the Mahapurana (4:16-31, 4:38-40)
By Acharya Jinasena (eighth century)
COMPASSION IN ACTION: INNER STRENGTH AND SOCIAL CHANGE
presented by Ocean Robbins
Some foolish men declare that a creator made the universe. The doctrine that the universe was created is ill-advised, and should be rejected.
If God created the world, where was he before creation? If you say he was transcendent then, and needed no support, where is he now?
How do compassionate behaviors toward others impact you?
Is compassion a natural reaction to others' suffering? How would our perception be different if we were raised in a society wherein suffering is actually commendable and even deemed worthy of respect, rather than of compassion?
No single being had the skill to make this world - for how can an immaterial god create that which is material?
How could God have made the world without any raw material? If you say he made this first, and then the world, you are faced with and endless regression.
Ocean Robbins is a famous motivational speaker. He is the founder of YES! (Youth for Environmental Sanity) which is located on the web at www.yesworld.org He is the author of the book titled Choices of our Future. Not only does he have an amazing and inspirational way to deal with young adults to build positive thinking, he has knowledge of Jainism and he is a strong believer of non-violence.
If you declare that this raw material arose naturally you fall into another fallacy. For the whole universe might thus have been its own creator, and have arisen equally naturally.
If God created the world by an act of his own will, without any raw material, then it is just his will and nothing else - and who will believe this silly stuff? If he is ever perfect and complete, how could the will to
create have arisen in him? If, on the other hand, he is not perfect, he I could no more create the universe than a potter could.
"We reject the belief that today's youth are apathetic and lost. We see the depth of passion and commitment that bring diverse youth together for the common vision of a healthy future. Through public speaking, summer camps, organizing manuals, yesworld.org, and a support network for young activists, YES! educates, inspires and empowers the next generation of leaders." This seminar focuses on what young people all over the world can and are doing to protect the environment and combat evils such as racism, discrimination, irresponsible use of resources, and destruction of the natural environment.
If he is formless, actionless and all-embracing, how could he have created the world? Such a soul, devoid of all modality, would have no desire to create anything.
If he is perfect, he does not strive for the three aims of man (viz. righteousness (dharma), profit (artha) and pleasure (kama)). So what advantage would be gained by creating the universe?
CONCEPT OF GOD AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF JAINISM
presented by Pravin Shah
If you say that he created to no purpose, because it was his nature to do so, then God is pointless. If he created in some kind of sport, it was the sport of a foolish child, leading to trouble.
If he created because of the karma of embodied beings (acquired in a previous creation), he is not the Almighty Lord, but subordinate to something else....
Is Jainism really an atheistic religion? . Is anyone responsible for earth and life's origin? Where does time begin if there is no creator-god to dictate it?
If out of love for living things and a need for them he made the world, why did he not make creation wholly blissful, free from misfortune?
Points discussed include the following:
If he were transcendent he would not create, for he would be free; nor if involved in transmigration, for then he would not be almighty
Thus the doctrine that the world was created by God makes no sense at all.
• Jain concept of God and its position on the belief in a
creator-god. • Fundamental concepts used in the development of Jain
philosophy • Concepts of soul and karma, and their interrelationships.
Basis of Jain theory of karma and reincarnation.
Understanding of Predestination and Determination. • Concept of hell, heaven, and liberation.
And God commits great sin in slaying the children whom he himself created. If you say he slays only to destroy evil beings, why did he create such beings in the first place?....
Good people should rebuke the believer in divine creation, maddened by an evil doctrine.
17 For Personal & Private Use Only