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environmental hazard by using disposables plates and glasses.” On my similar question to
the other much smaller group, one member commented: “We use disposable not just for
convenience, but also to save a lot of water from being used while cleansing in a
dishwasher."129 The responses reflect that their intentions could be similarly positive but
the latter action, while perhaps well intentioned, actually has much more negative
environmental impact than the other. Clearly much more focused education is needed to
make these vows effective in addressing ecological concerns.
Meditation
Abstaining from drugs and alcohol was a major aspect of the Anuvrat Movement
in India, and Preksha Meditation was proposed as a way of addressing the problem of
addiction. Knowing this, I sought to explore amongst my respondents how they viewed
these issues in the United States. I was informed that first generation Jains are very much
connected to their home country; they keep enforcing Indian Jain culture and cultivate
values by actively discussing and periodically taking their children to Pathshala. '30
Although children are introduced to Jain values, there is still concern amongst the parents
about the threat of possible addictions.
Many respondents voiced concerns discussed in the previous chapter the physical
and mental harm of consuming these substances is markedly similar across the national
boundaries. One respondent in India asked me, "Tell me which country is not facing the
problems of violence in all its manifestations as an outcome of the increasing problems of
129 Sharma, interview, August 26, 2012.
130 Pathshala is Sunday school to ensure Jain philosophy and practices among the present and future generations and to inculcate ethics and morality from the young age.
