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JAINISM AND MODERN ERA
Jainism is among the most ancient religions of the world. Despite its antiquity, it has been a lesser understood religion in modern times.
There are four folds in Jainism: Sadhu, Sadhvi, Shravak, Shravika. Sadhus and Sadhvis are the prime teachers of Jainism. However due to restrictions incumbent on the religion, such as the avoidance of man made vehicles which may harm the environment, their travel is limited only to areas that can be traversed by foot. Therefore, many regions of India as well as abroad have been deprived of the greater understanding of Jainism.
Samani Mudit Pragya
ivbni@yahoo.com
Over the years the world has advanced with improved technologies, resources and opportunities such as better education, increased standard of living, better jobs and status in life. People of Jain faith have traveled to countries outside India in significant numbers. The migration that started as individuals slowly grew with the addition of their families and friends who coalesced in to groups and eventually their own society.
Samani Mudit Pragya is M.A.
in Science of Living, Yoga and Meditation; and an Assistant Professor at the Jain Vishwa Bharati University, Ladnun, India. She is a disciple of Acharya
Mahapragya and
was initiated in to the Saman order in 1981.
As a result, practicing Jains saw the need to build an edifice where people could unite and share their knowledge. This eventually led to Jain temples around the world to worship and perform religious rites and activities together. Jain philosophers, scholars, Samans and Samanis, disciples of Acharya Mahapragya, were invited on a regular basis from India to increase the greater understanding of Jainism. JAINA conventions for adults and YJA conventions for youths are now held annually and serve as a good educational foundation for all Jains. The foundation for subsequent generations of Jains is evolving rapidly in USA and bodes well for a greater appreciation of Jainism worldwide.
The growing networked society is indeed very encouraging for Jains outside India, yet the awareness of Jainism remains limited primarily to Jains. The majority of American society is still unaware of the religion and practice of Jainism, many of whom are unaware of the term 'Jain'. The intent of wider awareness is not conversion, but to increase the appreciation of the benefits that Jainism can bring to daily life in all societies. Jainism is not defined as a religion or sect, but a "practice of living" which may help people in all strata resolve many of the imbalances in their universe.
For example, in the present age of rapid technological and scientific advances, resulting globalization, centralization, and privatization of society have greatly increased the desires of man. Feelings of dominance over the whole world are taking root in many parts of society. Individuals begin their own companies, and as more enterprises are established, competitions increases. Due to cut-throat competition, often the economy falters. When technological advances bring a new idea or invention, the economy surges forward again. These cyclical swings cause economic systems to be in turmoil. We have lost unity in the relationships in business, society and above all in
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PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
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