JAINA Convention 1993 07 Pittusburgh

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 75

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• YOUTH SUPPLEMENT •
Preserving Our Jain Culture
by Tarang Sheth, Toronto, Canada
There has been much discussion, within our commu
nity, on the issue of sustaining the Jain heritage in North America. In keeping with this discussion, I offer, as a member of the young generation, my view of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
I believe that it will become increasingly difficult to ensure that our heritage is preserved in the future. We are growing up in an environment that, at its core, is very hostile to the way of life taught by Jainism. The media is rife with images of violence, debauchery, disrespect, and hatred. Reflecting this environment, some of our friends, in high schools and universities, engage in practices which our families and our tradition do not condone. It is inevitable that their attitudes and those of the society in which we live will have some effect on us. The world of the 21st century does not promise to change this situation. While we have had the benefit of our parents recent immigration, our children will not. They will grow up in households where English is the predominant language, as it is today in many cases. Indeed, if one assumes that even 80% of a previous generation's valuable beliefs and practices are retained by its progeny, it will not take many generations to reach a state of complete cultural assimilation.
These trends present significant challenges to our attempt to retain and promote our religion. The tools, however, to overcome these challenges are also readily at our disposal. Firstly, we have ourselves and each other. Across the continent, youth in our community are motivated, intelligent, and well-educated. Moreover, there is an instant bond formed by youth who meet each other from different cities. By virtue of a common upbringing and background, we can readily unite and work together. In addition, our parents have built community infrastructure such as temples, societies, and umbrella organizations such as JAINA through which our activity may be focused. In these efforts, our religious leaders are wellsprings of inspiration and guidance to us, and our parents and community leaders sources of knowledge and advice.
Our greatest asset, though, is the contemporary relevance of Jain religion itself. Though ancient in origin, Jain concepts such as ahimsa and anekantvada provide profound insights into modern difficulties. Indeed, it is only now that the West is coming to appreciate the merits
of a vegetarian diet, a practice that have been inherent to our way of life for thousands of years. Equipped with these resources and our own capability, I believe we need only our dedication to succeed. If the exemplary commitment and diligence of the youth who helped organize this convention is any indication, it is certain that this ingredient is also in abundance.
With these strengths, I believe we are capable of meeting the challenges that we are faced with. Though on the one hand there will be the pressure to assimilate into the wider society, there will also be, on the other, our own motivation to preserve and enrich our Jain heritage. If we are successful in managing this tension, we have the potential to be a dynamic community.
Our activities could include enhancing an intercontinental and perhaps even creating a global network of Jains. In each of our cities, we could continue to build and expand our temples and community facilities to accommodate our increasing needs. With the advent of authors and intellectuals among the younger generation, we could create, through books and other cultural media a discussion of our new identity as the first generation of Jains brought up in North America. Our charity could expand beyond our own religious societies to include the poor and homeless in our own countries. Through donations to universities, we could ensure that the academic study of Jaina thought and tradition is increased in North America.
Perhaps most importantly, I believe we have an opportunity to understand the message of Bhagawan Mahavira and share it with the next generation and the world around us. By doing so, we would be keeping alive one of the world's most ancient, and today one of the most relevant, religions. Jainism has been given a firm foundation on this continent. It is for youth to ensure that it continues to grow stronger and more vibrant in the future.
Best Compliments to 1993 JAINA Convention
Ashok Shendure
MBA, CFP
BDS Financial Service Corp. 33595 Bainbridge Rd., #104
Solon, OH 44139 (216) 248-5625
JAINA TIMES. CONVENTION EDITION -