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granddaughter whose grandparents had built a magnificent
temple with money earned from the opium trade. o Quite often, I have seen advertisements in Jain magazines
for products such as leather, silk, wool, pearls, alcohol and non-veg Indian food restaurants. I wonder why no one stops to question these advertisements? In my opinion, such advertisements in Jain magazines, promote those products and choices. About fifteen years ago, one famous Jain singer was planning to visit Houston. So, we arranged for a big public performance by him. We also planned to print a special souvenir on this occasion. To raise enough funds for this souvenir, I asked one of my colleagues, with good business connections, to secure some advertisements from Indian businesses, which she did. While going through all the advertisements, I turned down one advertisement from a non-veg Indian restaurant in town. First, there was some concern within the souvenir committee why I had done this. I did explain my reasons for not condoning the meat-related products but some of them felt that I was crazy and fanatic. After the performance, the same restaurant invited this visiting Jain singer, as well as some of us from the Jain community, to a luncheon reception in the singer's honor. We gladly accepted this gesture and enjoyed a delicious lunch. After the lunch, when a few of us went to the owner to thank him, he softly asked, "How could you turn down my advertisement in the souvenir campaign, yet you gladly accepted this luncheon reception?” Right way, we realized our grave mistake. I really felt ashamed and thanked the owner for teaching me this practical lesson about money and its origin. One distant relative of mine has made some good money by owning several liquor and convenience stores where meat is also freely sold. He and his family are strict vegetarians
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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