JAINA Convention 2007 07 Edison NJ

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

Page 60

HAPPINESS IS WITHIN REACH
Jain values need to be lived to be enjoyed.
Today mankind is living in an interesting time, a time when the science of information technology is rapidly taking over and practically governing our life. The cave man has become a castle man. The days of cartwheels and carriages are being replaced by Cadillacs and convertibles. The period of stone grinding has become obsolete and the modern electronic grinders are taking its place. The old is being replaced by the new with tremendous speed.
Pramoda Chitrabhanu
jainmamata@aol.com
As the machine is used for instant work, in the same way mankind works for instant happiness, fame and riches. He/She does not care whether it is at the cost of environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources or animal abuse and suffering. Under the powerful grip of greed, many act under the intoxication of modernization, leading to self-destruction. Motivated by ego and sensuality, many use their skills in the acquisition of worldly pleasures In this way, technology and information make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
Pramoda Chitrabhanu has a Major in Psychology and
Philosophy. She chairs the
and is a director of PETA in India
When we look around us, we see that mankind has become a burden and an enemy to oneself and Mother Earth, rather than a friend to all. Engaging in anger, lust, selfishness, deceit and competition, one ultimately paves the way to violence and war. As Thomas Merton has rightly said, "Violence can begin only where thought and rational communication have broken down."
Center. She dedicates her time for working for various animal rights
organizations. She lectures and teaches the philosophy of Ahinsa, Love, and Compassion.
She has authored and co-authored five books.
Living in this fast pace and in this technological space, mankind has become a robot. He/She now has no mind of his own and works like a machine. Society thinks for him and he obeys its orders. This herd mentality blinds vision and goads movement without any direction. Under these circumstances, does one have the same elements which are potentially capable of becoming a Mahavir, a Buddha, a Ram or a Jesus - epitomes of love, compassion and simplicity. How can one attain anything, if he does not take charge of his own life and does not discern the difference between right and wrong in the light of the truth? History tells us that no amount of wealth and fame has made mankind happy, for material happiness is fleeting and temporary, and changes with desires and dreams. Happiness does not lie in accumulation of things, but in the art of equal distribution, simplicity and contentment.
Every positive or negative action has an equal and opposite reaction. A loving thought cast in the universe has a loving response, and an evil thought has an evil one. It is the law of nature that what is thrown out into the universe comes about like a boomerang. So why not give priority to our life on the basis of our needs and comfort and not based on our greed and luxury? In this way we can eliminate the possibility of acquiring negative
14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
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PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE