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 39

understanding of Jainism and meditation to practical use in daily life situations. The most important thing he taught me, both by instruction and by example, was how to be at peace within and how the inner peace then manifests itself outside. I shall always be grateful for his kindness and patience. He has a wide knowledge of psychology and spirituality, which I admire and use but have not yet been able to emulate.
A RICH AND VARIED HERITAGE: JAIN ART IN INDIA
presented by Robert Del Bontà
The model illustrates a simple choice between two pathways:
Is there anything being done to preserve the art in India? How does Jain art compare to other hand crafted arts in America in terms of value and difficulty? By themselves, Jain murtis and temples tend not to have fancy accessories or other forms of décor. Is that simplicity part of the art of Jainism? Is admiring the art taking away from the real beauty, the beauty of doing darshan in hopes to follow the path to Moksha? Can art be expressed without any materialistic value?
ROAD LESS TRAVELED
ROAD MORE TRAVELED
PEACE LOVE JOY
оо
CHAOS ANGER HURT FEAR
EMPTINESS
NON-ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT
CHOICE POINT (FEAR
Art is one substance through which culture is preserved. The first principle of all art or architecture is the transformation of ideas into a visible object or symbolic expression. Architecture further serves as a kind of history. It is a standing and living historical record, providing a more vivid and lasting picture of a cultural tradition than conventional written history does.
Road more traveled' is the course of mental, verbal and physical activity which leads to violence, the path which arises out of instant reactions. The alternative path is the road less traveled. It is the path of nonviolence.
As with its philosophy, Jain symbolism, manifested in its arts and architectures, bears awesome peculiarities. This seminar
introduces some of them. An understanding of the motivation behind · Jain art and architecture is an important prerequisite for the serious
student of art.
Readings:
From Jain Art and Architecture
By A.N. Upadhye (1975)
INTENTIONS VS. ACTIONS
presented by Kokila Doshi
The Jain ethic aims at improving oneself by eradicating one's attachment and aversion, which, in other forms are the four passions of anger, greed, ego and deceit. If these are brought under control, then the eternal soul is on the path of becoming paramatman, i.e., one evolves oneself to the higher spiritual status.... Yearning for wealth and pleasures must be subordinated to Dharma, religious attitude, which takes one to salvation, the liberation from all karmas. The worship of the Jina involves the adoption of a number of virtues, to the best of one's ability and honesty, such as nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and possessionlessness.
What difference do my intentions make if my actions are still the same either way? How can we condition ourselves to have proper intentions or thoughts for our actions? What is the karmic value of actions that do not have any true Intentions (or no intentions that I am usually aware of)?
In the first half of the session, using examples and Jain stories, the need for harmony between Intentions and Actions will be emphasized as an integral part of the Jain lifestyle. In the second half of the session, through interactive discussions, we will explore the reason for discrepancies between intentions and actions. The discussion will also emphasize the understanding of rituals and the importance of 'bhava' integrated with 'kriya'.
Most of these ethical concepts are reflected, in some form or other, in Jain art and architecture.... Jain pieces of art aim at elevating our spirit; they inspire religious values; and they present, in concrete form, the philosophical concepts and rules of conduct laid down in Jainism. They satisfy the yearning spirit to identify itself and evolve into the higher spirit which is characterized by infinite knowledge, perception, strength and bliss.
(Readings continued on next page...)
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