Jain Spirit 2002 03 No 10

SR No.: 528990
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 62
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, UK_Jain Spirit, & UK
File Size: 15 MB

Page 44

YOUTH
Strong Roots Make Firm Trees - Love
MAKE FIRM TREES A
STRONG ROOTS MAKE FIRM TREES
LOVE
Prini Shah talks about the pioneering Hindu/Jain
assembly at Haberdashers' School in London
HAVE YOU EVER FELT THAT YOU the rest of the never knew enough about your school, so that they can learn about the religion? That's how the Jains of our origins and beliefs of Jainism and school felt before this year. We would Hinduism. The assemblies usually always hear about other religions in consist of debates and discussions on Religious Studies lessons, however various topical issues. We also inform the word 'Jainism never came out of students about the origins of festivals. the teachers' mouths. Was this Recently, we have been able to discuss because they had never heard of the the festival of Navratri and Diwali and religion, or they didn't think it was a the stories behind each festival. We valid enough religion to discuss? have lots of ideas ahead of us, and Whatever the reason, we decided to hope to fulfill them in due course. We change this and make Jainism a hope to provide challenges for religion just as understood as students. For example, just recently, Christianity or Judaism.
we asked them to try and find out Over the last year, a few of the about their roots and family history in girls of Haberdashers' Aske's School order to make a family tree. If all goes for Girls have been trying to persuade
well, we hope to hold a small the school to allow us the privilege of exhibition, so that each student can having a Jain assembly. Previously, in learn about one another's family order to learn about Jainism we had to history. Other ideas include walk to Haberdashers' Aske's Boys organising Jain speakers to talk to the School and attend their Jain girls about modern topical issues, assemblies, which were very from which students can learn and fascinating and intriguing. This appreciate the true value of the Jain became a weekly ritual, so we thought tradition in their lives. it would be a good idea to hold a Jain
We have been very impressed by assembly of our own in the girls' the turn out and reaction of the school, in order to promote the students to this assembly and we know understanding and awareness of Jain that all the hard work, patience and values to fellow students and teachers. commitment of the girls who helped to
Liaisons and meetings were organise it, has really paid off. In fact, arranged with the headmistress and many students from other faith deputy head, to try and prove to them backgrounds attend our assembly and that students have the right to learn comment very positively about it! We about other religions, which may not are now able to have a reference point be as well-known as the main six for our own culture and are better able religions of the world. After to accept other religions. Our identity convincing the headmistress that it is much clearer, and we are cultivating would be very valuable to many a sense of self-esteem, which is deep people to have other faith assemblies, and energising we organised a joint assembly for Hindus and Jains.
Prini Shah is 16 years old and is one of Every Thursday, girls look the leaders of the Jain assembly at forward to a separate assembly from Haberdashers 'Askes School for Girls
I am in love. Really? Yes, I think I have found lasting happiness. Who is she then? Do I know her? I doubt it. Please, please tell me. I am really curious. Well actually, you misunderstand me. What do you mean. You are not gay, are you? Why is it that there is only one kind of love on your mind? So you are gay! Well blow my mind! I can't believe your myopia. What will your parents say? Do they know? Of course they do. I am very open you know. What did they say? They were surprised, and relieved too! Relief? I thought this would be a shock to them. I told them that I am in love with life. What do you mean? I love life, nature, animals and people. I do not love one person only. Oh, I see. You are not gay after all! I am gay, about life. I do not think one needs to restrict all their love for one person. Oh yeah? How will you find romance then? And the joy of physical passion? I think these are real, but also fleeting experiences. Physical attraction does not last. You sound boring! I do think we are being bombarded by lies about love in the media and films. Romance rarely lasts, especially when the attraction is physical. I'd rather be wise than undertake a live experiment, which can fail. So what is love then? Love is friendship, love is partnership and love is a relationship, not just chemistry and biology. And most important of all, love is life.
March - May 2002. Jain Spirit
43