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I repeat again—I was not trying to dictate and enforce my personal rules and beliefs on others. In this case, they were part of my near family and this brought great pain and anguish to me. Now please tell me —what else I should
have done? o At least twenty-five years ago, I read a news item that
described a business meeting between Apple Company Chairman, Steve Jobs —who was a vegan—and one of his major vendors. For the vendor, Mr. Jobs was a very important client and they arranged a lavish, red carpet welcome for him at a very posh private club with many entrées including meat items and alcoholic drinks. The host did not know that their chief guest was a vegan. In fact, the irony is that in those days, the host did not even know what veganism was. At the luncheon, the host noticed that their guest was not eating. Finally, when asked, Steve Jobs told them of his food habits. Hearing this, the host was in frenzy regarding what to serve. Mr. Job asked for a fresh fruit plate and the meeting continued. What an uplifting and inspirational story, and what a great example of publicly practicing one's personal
beliefs. I wonder how many Jains exemplify this trait. Luckily, I do know a few Jains who do come close to what Steve Jobs exhibited. I only wish this would become the standard norm within the Jain world. o A few years ago in Houston, where I live, a young Jain
couple (both born and raised in India in religious Jain families), arranged a large dinner party at their home. For this party, they invited several of their Indian friends, as well as non-Indian friends and colleagues from their office. I came to know from the host that for the non-Indian friends, they were planning to serve non-veg food. Quite frankly, I was shocked –I cannot accept and observe a Jain prepare and serve non-veg food. I immediately talked them out of this. I was relieved, as otherwise I would not have eaten there.
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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