JAINA Convention 1993 07 Pittusburgh

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

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• YOUTH SUPPLEMENT •
the situation may change. What would you do or feel if your spouse wanted to feed meat to the children?
A Message from a Concerned Darent to the youth
2. Alcohol: We all know how alcohol is made, and how it affects your health, your mind, and your life. In choosing a spouse think of how alcohol will affect your children.
Anonymous
3. Religion: This is the most important point to consider. We were all fortunate enough to be born into the Jain Religion. Educated people know that there are many connections between science and Jainism. So many of the things that science finds out about, we already have in Jainism. By choosing a non-Jain partner, I am not saying that you will lose your religion, but I am saying that you may practice it less. You will have conflicts, arguments, and discussions with your spouse which will affect your relationship. We need to keep going higher and higher with Jainism. There are so many Jain principles that are so great and that can make your life happy For example: the three jewels of Jainism are Right Knowledge, Right Faith, and Right Attitude. Also, the eight karmas, and the nine tatvas are important.
am a parent of two youths, and I am very concerned
about our youths maintaining their Jain Religion and Jain Culture. As parents, we do not give our children enough education about religion and culture. Many times both of the parents work and are very active socially and may not be able to spend enough time with their children in terms of educating them.
Our children today are living in a mixed society, and they are exposed to American society more, through things like television, school, and their friends. Eventually their thinking becomes like Americans. One major idea that I would like to point out and discuss is that living in American society our youths think about enjoying life today, thinking that tomorrow may never come. Most of the youths do not think about the future, they do not want to think about the future even when it is only one year from now. I am not blaming the youths because being raised in this country, they are used to dealing in the present and dealing only with current situations. I see it as the parents' duty to explain to the youths that the future does come and for the most of us it will come. This is the reality and if youths don't think about it now, then they will be sorry in the future. At that point it will be too late.
Now I would like to mention a few important points that youths should think about in terms of the rest their life before dating seriously or getting married. When you are considering a non-Jain or non-Indian for serious dating or marriage, I urge you to consider the following points. You may already be aware of these points, but sometimes you may think about them differently when you hear them from someone new.
4. Culture: Mixing cultures is always a problem. There will be so much confusion on so many topics that both people will get frustrated. A difference in culture will always exist, and when two people are raised in two different cultures, the differences will become a big problem.
5. Communication: There will be a communication gap because both people think in different ways (based on their culture), but they will assume that the other person will know what they mean. They may not explain things in detail because of anger or frustration, and this will eventually lead to a reduction in the amount of love you have for one another.
1. Being Vegetarian: If the other person is not a vegetarian it will be difficult for you as a vegetarian to live with that non-vegetarian. There will be arguments and discussions, and sometimes they may lead to unhealthy results which will create complications in your daily life. Can you see meat in your refrigerator especially when you know how much violence is involved in getting it to the store? Your partner may understand and may not argue with you, but when children come into the picture
The second point on communication that is important I has to do with the parents. Indian parents may not communicate well. Sometimes they get the feeling that if they say something different, they will end up creating confusion. The parents may have arguments with the spouse and the grandchildren because of this communication gap. Grandparents may not communicate well with their grandchildren which may reduce the feelings of caring and love between the two.
I am sure that there are many other important points to think about, but I feel that these are the most important. Please think about them seriously and carefully before making any decisions about your future.
JAINA TIMES. CONVENTION EDITION -
Jain Education Intemational