________________
AHIMSA TIMES - DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
Page 8 of 15
Restraint (Brahmacharya) and Detachment (Aparigraha). GLOBAL WARMING is The Symptom of Man-Made Abuse of NATURE and all the Living Souls (in Air, Water, Heat/Light, Vegetation and Earth) of the Universe. Humanitarian Principle of 'Live and Let Live' is Forgotten.
Now, What can We Do as SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUALS and as A WORLDWIDE AFFLUENT COMMUNITY?
As INDIVIDUALS, We can Do a Lot and Contribute to the Larger Good of the Society around. Simple Living and High Thinking' is a Forgotten Mantra. It Mostly Died with Mahatma Gandhi. Village Self-Sufficiency was his Way of Organization of the Society. Science and Technology is the Human Brain Child. We can't Go Back Science and Religion are Not the Anti-thesis of each other. They Complement and Supplement each other. Religion Makes a Statement and Science Tries to Prove It'. Gandhi, while promoting Spinning Wheel', stated that Science should Not Dictate (RIDE OVER) Human Being, It should Help Human Beings from Drudgery. I have been Promoting the Idea of Retirement Communities, as an Example of Simple Living for Seniors / Retirees. It Brings into Operation, All the Five Fundamental Principles for Lay(wo)men (Shravak/Shravika/s).
VEGETARIANISM / VEGANISM (Plant-Based Diet Only, Without Any ANIMAL Products, including Dairy, whatsoever): Every one of us can Practice it for Health (Physical, Mental, and Philosophical), Compassion for ALL Lives, and Livable planet. In DEMOCRACY, 'Vigilance is The Price (of Democracy)'. We all have to Actively Participate by VOTING and Observing Civic Sense of Cleanliness and Hygiene, etc.. We Can Join, Promote, and Participate as Individuals and as Jain Organizatins in Vegetarian, Animal Rights, Environmental Groups, etc. We can Take a Lead in the Movement. We are Resourceful enough to Invigorate and Bring About the CHANGE, if we Move Out Of Our Traditions of Temples, Rituals, Dogmas, etc. and Join The Wider World.
As JAIN ORGANIZATIONS, we will have to overcome Divisions like Shvetamber, Digambar, Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi, Rajchandra Wala, Songadhwala, Rajkotwala, etc. and Remain JAINS Only as Believers In and Practitioners of AHINSA, as the foremost Principle, 'AHINSA PARAMODHARMA'. Divisions have Made Us Smaller and Smaller, Infighting, Hair-Spliting, and Splinter Groups, ineffective to take up any worth while Action Program. Money Making has Remained Our Only GOAL around the World and everything else has been the Consolation. Many Individuals have Progressed in Various Directions, but as a Community, we remain Unknown and Insignificant. Vested Interests and Hankering for Power, Position, and Prestige has Left us Lost from Any Major Achievements. Better Late Than Never' or else We are on the verge of Extinction. It Needs The CHANGE in Exhausted, Tired, Aging, and Visionless LEADERSHIP.
All that is said above is Fully Applicable in INDIA, U.S.A., and Everywhere Else. -Fakirchand J. Dalal, E-Mail: sfdalal@comcast.net 9001 Good Luck Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706, U.S.A. Phone: 301-577-5215.
JAIN SAMAJ SHOULD PLAY PROACTIVE ROLE IN THE INDIAN POLITICS - From: Nathulal Jain, EMail: lal@megalith.net The idea you expressed in your letter in Ahimsa Times (November Addition) is really correct idea on right time. Now, we all Jains should wake up & come forward to combat this mission of the basic of following points which recognized by international community.
1. International Non violence day declared by UN (2nd Oct.) we can say, its great achievement, because (1st pillar of Jainism & by using this Mr. Gandhi Fought freedom war
2. Forest preservation, Water conservation, non killing of Animals are the main basic principle of Jainism since the religion established thousands years ago & now practically whole world is active on same issues & imposed international rules to implements it. (PROUD ON JAINISM)
If International community recognized, why our government will not think about it. There should be a big campaign for it through out the country & work on it for us & our generations.
SUBJECT: JAIN SHOULD TAKE PART IN ACTIVE POLTICS -From: Ravinder Jain E-Mail : ravinderjain@india.com I read the recent issue of Ahimsa Time I am fully agree with your views and backward condition of jain community in politics. Jain should have awareness about their fundamental right mentioned in
http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/december-2008.htm
8/11/2009
