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VILLAGE LIFE
PAINTING BY CHHAGAN PATEL
PAINTING BY CHHAGAN PATEL
(and left) A traditional Indian village setting in Rajasthan.
become local bigheads and global nobodies. Community and connectivity have always been our defining characteristics as Jains.
A number of Jains today are aspiring to re-create village life, through their community activities, dinner parties or charitable work. They are seeking a sense of belonging, a connection with nature, and a unity in spirit. Jains are aspiring for peace. It may be that the source of the wisdom lies in our past heritage, which was not only elaborated in our scriptures, but lived daily through our lifestyles. We need not go back into history to embrace village life - as we have already seen, there are many positive attributes of villages.
Hence it is in our communities (at home and at work) that we have the opportunities for creating the villages of tomorrow. If we take on this challenge we will learn about humility, duty and selflessness. We will also learn about patience and perseverance, about harmony and tolerance. We may in the process invent a new village, which is both modern and ancient at the same
time. S2
Artist Chhagan Patel lives in Romford, London. He recently exhibited bis paintings at the Meghraj Art Gallery. He can be contacted on 01708-750128.
A modern English village in Devon.
March - May 2000 • Jain Spirit
33
Jain Education International 2010_03
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