Jain Society Lansing MI 2000 05 Pratistha

SR No.: 528511
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center Lansing MI
Publisher: USA Jain Center Lansing MI
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 108
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center MI Lansing, & USA
File Size: 4 MB

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be different because they have more actively examined what it means to be a Jain. On the other hand, in terms of intellectual awareness of “Jain" thinking and in their ability to extend Jain logic to everyday issues facing them, they may be a bit rudderless because they are struggling to reinvent logics evolved in the context of life in India and which in India are in part taken for granted and in part constantly reinforced by contact with ascetics.
The Jains of North America have addressed this lack of monks by inviting scholars, monks and nuns to America. Many of them visit America frequently and spend considerable time here. These visitors belong to various sects and orders. Many of the orthodox orders do not allow monks and nuns to travel overseas. There are some ways of getting around that. The Terapanthi Svetambar sect has created a special order of samans and samanis that are allowed to travel abroad. The Digambar Bhattaraka institution was specifically created to allow monks to travel in adverse conditions. At this time there are no American Jains who have joined the monastic order, however it is common for ordinary Jains to practice rigors like fasting.
The Future of American Jainism
Jainism is thriving in North America. America is a very rich country that accepts cultural and religious diversity. Many Americans now believe in vegetarianism, the karma theory and rebirth. Although Jains have not attempted to attract converts, a few who were not born as Jains now call themselves Jain. In such an environment we can expect Jainism to be increasingly influential, not only among those who are born Jain, but others as well.
Still, Jain parents cannot take their religion for granted, as they often do in India. The children are bombarded with messages from the media exhorting them to eat meat and drink alcohol. They are pressured by the peers to ignore parents, and live a life of fun without responsibilities. Jains are a small minority among the Indian American community. Sometimes Jain parents are finding it convenient to take the children to other Indian spiritual activities without attempting to provide the proper exposure to Jainism.
Fortunately, many capable Jain volunteers in America are providing exceptional leadership. They organize conventions, workshops, pratishthas and social events. Some are actively engaged in creation of new literature (like encyclopedias, CDs and literature for children). The future Jains of America will gratefully acknowledge their contributions.
Additional Information about Jainism can be obtained from the following web sites:
www.jainworld.com; www.cs.colostate.edu/-malaiya/jainhlinks.html; www.yja.org; www.angelfire.com/co/jainism/.
Yashwant K. Malaiya is a professor of Computer Science at Colorado State University. He has written several articles on the history of Jainism in addition to papers on testing and reliability of Hardware/Software.
Jain Education Intemational