Jain Center ST Louis 1999 05 Pratistha

SR No.: 528531
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Center St Louis
Publisher: USA Jain Center St Louis MO
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center MO St Louis, & USA
File Size: 4 MB

Page 34

Jainism within the College Campus
Pooja Kapadia
This is an essay I wrote two years ago before I left for college.
"As I enter the college world, I start a new chapter in my life; one that will consist of many obstacles and challenges. In college I will come upon many different experiences that will test me both as a person and a member of society. All that I have done in the past is wiped away and I begin with a clean slate. When I go to college I will not take with me the activities and the grades I once had, but I will take the values and morals I grew up with. As I was growing up, a strong emphasis was put on the Jain religion. But rather than religion being a myriad of rituals and temple meetings, religion has become a way of life for me. My parents have taught me that I can depend on the Jain religion to help me get through the many speed bumps of life. As I start college, my way of life will remain the same and I will never forget my culture and who I am.
The past year I have thought a lot about what college will be like. For example will I be able to practice Jainism, keep alive my Indian culture, and most importantly stay myself. The answers are still to come. I am fortunate enough to go to a college where there is a large Indian population and some Jains. However, there is not a formal organization for Jain youths, meaning I will have to take initiatives myself in order to continue Jainism in college. Many claim that it is hard to keep alive religious practices when college comes around, but I disagree. The opportunity is always there for one to practice Jainism if there is a will to do so.
While growing up, I have come to depend on Jainism to give me inner strength and will continue this when I go to college. Like all Jains, reciting the Namokar Mantra is second nature to me. This is one way that I will continue to practice Jainism while I am at school. Every time I recite the Namokar
Mantra I think about trying to conquer my inner enemies. These are anger, greed, ego, and deceit (AGED). I recite the Namokar Mantra before going to bed, in the morning, before meals, and before leaving the house. College years are very stressful, and I know reciting the Namokar Mantra will continue to give me peace of mind.
The college campus is a cosmopolitan atmosphere filled with different cultures and viewpoints. One of the most important Jain principles that will need to be exercised in college is respecting other viewpoints, Anekantavad. This principle can be put into perspective in so many different ways in just our daily life rather than our spiritual life. For example, working out the living arrangements will take a lot of cooperation from both roommates. After coming from different backgrounds, even little things such as study habits and sleeping hours will be a real test of respecting others viewpoints. On a more religious level the college campus is composed of several different religious groups and the respect for other religions must always exist in order for forward progression on both an individual level and societal level.
Perhaps the most difficult part of practicing Jainism within the college campus is the rituals and temple visits. While in St. Louis, it is easy to attend Pathshala, monthly meetings, and go to the temple. While in college, it is hard to attend Jain meetings for the local Jain Center as well as a simple visit to the temple. Celebrating holidays such as Paryushana, Nirvan Day, and Mahavir Jayanti will not happen, however one can do this on an individual level. I plan on taking the English Pratikraman Book with me and doing Pratikraman on Samvatsari. Other rituals such as Snatra Pooja and Sapna Day will not be there. But just because rituals cannot be practiced does not mean that Jainism will not live on. I will do my share by continuing the meditation and yoga I have
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