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10th Biennial JAINA Convention
Promotion of Jainism in the Next Millennium N. L. Jain, Jaina Center, Rewa, India
The coming millennium will be the era of science and technology where only those ethical systems will survive which have high intellectual consistency and internal and external verifiability.
The Jaina system passes this test. Its saint-scholars have tried to cultivate scientific basis among its followers since the early days of Jainism. This system is not only an individual-based but it aims at moral improvement on social and global level also. This is clear from the globalization of the principle of non-violence through dialogues and institutions. The continued expansion of vegetarianism is another facet which has acquired high scientific support besides the factor of canonical non-violence. The attraction towards meditation and yoga is yet another field where scientists have added so much that it is being called an alternatively more effective medicine for physical and psychical ailments. It has an effective theoretical basis for maintaining environmental equilibrium through observing various vows at all levels. The concepts and practices of equitable distribution and non-absolutist mentality and the like are other tenets which are directly or indirectly influencing the world in a very positive way.
Despite these points, we could not effectively promote it to attract global community in the past due to i) conservatism towards spread of literature, (ii) language of its basic literature, and (iii) dearth of competent and influential saints and scholars.
There is liberalism regarding promotion of original Jaina literature and many texts are being translated into English and distributed. We require many categories of literature for children and adults. Currently, most of Jain literature coming out in English belongs to popular or primary category. We require scholarly, logical and intellectual literature to carry on the torch of Jainism globally. This is neither being produced nor encouraged. The coming millennium will require such literature involving translations of commentaries on original books. More Jaina Libraries, Journals, Digests, Institutions and Seminar participation are needed in the coming millennium.
Currently, about two dozen Jaina saints and scholars are crossing the seas annually but their functional area is the maintenance of Jainism mostly among Jainas. Very few are moving in universities, colleges and other global institutions. The coming millennium will require a band of saints and scholars serving as ambassadors of Jaina system throughout the world. A scheme should be drawn up so that each year a group of scholars should visit different countries to lecture and preach meditation practices. There must be some established global centers of Jainism like Ramkrishna Missiion, etc. with devoted saints and dedicated scholars attached with them for regular activities throughout the year. They should be prepared to be well-versed in Jainism, current scientific trends and, of course, the language of that country where they are based. The last point requires high emphasis.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Jain Education Interational 2010_03
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