JAINA Convention 1999 07 Philadelphia

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

Page 57

10th Biennial JAINA Convention
કેઈ ક્રિયા-જડ થઈ રહ્યા, શુષ્કજ્ઞાનમાં કોઇ; માને મારગ મોક્ષનો, કરુણા ઉપજે જોઈ.
If we don't change our path and continue the blind worship, we will end up as follows as described by Akho Bhagat:
તિલક કરતાં ત્રેપન વહ્યાં, ને જપમાળાના નાકા ગયાં, થા સુણી ને લુટ્યાં કાન, તોય ને આવ્યું બ્રહ્મજ્ઞાન
અખો ભગત
I have outlined a seven-point program to allow our generation to get away from the rituals and begin a new journey to spiritual awakening in the next millennium:
PRESCRIPTION FOR A NEW SPIRITUAL AWARENESS 1. Change our temple activities from ritualistic and entertainment events into a spiritual
activity with main emphasis on Swadhayay, meditation, and reading of scriptures
2. Schedule Puja events with emphasis on understanding the meaning of each verse of the
Puja rather than our current emphasis on how well we sing or be entertained by music,
3. Invite local Jain scholars from different centers to conduct truly spiritual Shibirs and
Swadhayay activity year round. Let us not depend upon four months of "Scholars - imported from India" summer activity to transform us from ritualistic society into a spiritually alive Jain community. There is plenty of talent in America: let us utilize it and appreciate it.
M
4. Use the Ghee Boli funds and donations to help needy Jain families, battered women and
children, and set up funds for Jain scholarships on merit basis. Let us bring some missionary spirit in our heart to touch the community.
5. Develop keen interest among all Jain families to devote at least one hour every day at
home to read regularly Jain scriptures. This habit will transform a ritualistic mind into a spiritual person in no time.
6. Each family should make a religious habit of involving all the family members in a half
hour religious discussion at home on a daily basis. When children are young, it is the best time to get them interested in family worship. Remember the saying: "the family that prays together stays together."
7. Encourage youngsters to participate in all temple activities by being good role model
parents. Let us invest some quality time in our children to save their soul. May the blessings of Lord Mahavir be with us and guide us in our spiritual Yatra to find eternal peace and liberation from the bondage of karmas.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
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