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and regularly observe many Jain rituals including long fasts. A few years ago, this person went to India and wanted to donate some funds to a Jain temple, which was under construction. The administration of the temple knew about the sources of the funds. They flatly rejected the offer, as they did not want to spoil the sanctity of their temple with his donation. What an example! I hope and await more such examples.
o About a year ago, one very concerned Jain in USA sent out a mass email soliciting opinions about the sources of funds and their donations to charitable and religious Jain causes. He and I both, were surprised that very over-whelming majority of Jains responded that who are we to question the sources of funds? It is none of our business and we should gladly accept them. It is for the donor to worry about his karma and not the donee even though the donee is fully aware of the sources.
In Jainism, "ahimsa" is becoming a slogan just like the name, idea and the image of "Mahatma Gandhi" becomes a slogan for politicians in India during election times.
In May 2011, I had a chat with a prominent Jain in North America who mentioned that he had just come back from India after attending the installation and full panch-kalyanaks of two large Jain pratimas, in two different Jain temples. One of his close relatives had donated these pratimas. My friend was praising him for this great punya karma.
During the chat, I just asked my friend about the business of the donor. His answer was that he owns and runs a large silk mill in India. I was shocked. One makes a living and amasses wealth (parigraha) by running a slaughter house (for three-sensed silk insects) by killing millions of live, threesensed silk worms daily, and from that slaughterhouse loot, he funds two Jain pratimas. What more can be said. This is what we are evolving into. I wonder how many Jain temples have been or are being built and various rituals done with
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
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