JAINA Convention 2015 07 Atlanta GA

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

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Why is Jain Unity important? by Rahul Kapoor Jain
consider it my honor to share my thoughts on Jain Unity alongside many great saints, thinkers, philosophers, academicians and educators of our community. Over the last 5 years, I have been on a journey to connect with Jains across India through two of my initiatives 'Jain Youth Leadership Forum' and 'Live an Extra Ordinary Life - A Jain Approach.
Entrepreneur, Speaker, Presenter and Author, Bangalore to find answers and make progress in our pursuit to bring about unity among Jains and rekindle the passion and pride among the Jains who will be the torchbearer of our religion/community in the future.
I have reached around 15,000 Jains in the age group of 16 to 35 years from all Jain traditions across the country and have received overwhelming response from them as well as their families. who have seen some lasting changes in them. The fact is that most of them have shown keen interest to learn more about the science that drives our profound religion.
Today, where the principle of survival of the fittest' is being advocated in the world we still practice 'respect for everyone's right to live' with compassion being the central theme of all our actions. In a world, where people are breaking all rules of integrity in the name of growth, Jainism, still guides us on the path of universal justice. Such is brilliance of Jainism, a religion that we have earned due to our past karmas.
2015 JAINA Convention
However, it is a matter of deep concern to know that many of our Jains are drifting away from our roots. Some even find it difficult to take pride in their identity. The situation may be bad but it has not gone out of our hands yet. If we do some thoughtful introspection through initiatives such as Jaina Convention, then perhaps we may be able
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Here is a list of questions that I believe, we need to find answers for:
1. Do we present our religion as rigid and outdated?
2. Can we create an eco system for learning Jainism with modern tools and techniques?
3. How do we address the issue of differences of believes among our all traditions?
4. How can we be united with respect for each other?
Well, the answer to question no. 1 lies in the solu
tion of question no. 2. If Jains are taught Jainism in modern way, they will be able to understand that Jainism is perhaps the most relevant and most flexible religion in the world. I have proved on many occasions, via my platform "learning through talks", where I have invited philosophers, thinkers, and speakers, for talks panel discussions, debates, open house, video films etc. Jains love that way of learning and go back as proud Jains who are enriched, empowered and take many actions to live a life driven by Jain principles.
However, the answers to question no. 3 and 4 are the real cause of concern and unfortunately, we
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich - Henry Ward
Jainism World of Non-Violence
do not have any concrete answers to convince our community. The easiest disconnect for them is the "rituals" which are distinctly different for each tradition. Does it really worry them? The answer is NO.
However, when one is told that Mandirmargis are better than Sthnakvasis or Digambars are more authentic than Terapanthis or vice versa, that, becomes the starting point of creating differences, which draw us apart from each other. This is followed by many other insights on how to worship our Tirthankars? How to pay our respect to our Gurus? How to do Kriyas? When to observe Paryushan? When to do Samvatsari Pratikaman? And so on...
If we look at all the above questions we will notice that all of them are, for most part related to rituals, and in some ways connected to the principles. But they are not purely questions on principles. If we were to focus only and only on principles of Jain ism then perhaps we may be able to get closer to 'zero differences' in the way we all think.
In short, it will be apt for me to say 'if our rituals divide us, it is our principles that unite us. So, why can't we shift the focus completely to the principles? On behalf of the Jains, I propose that every Jain student must be taught to follow the principles of Jainism and respect the rituals of all traditions. Rituals are the way of doing things or expressing things in a certain way "the ways" can be different while the "principles" being the same. Let us have sessions where all of us can learn about the origin and history of each tradition with
a strict adherence to respect each other minus any attempt to prove that one is better than the other. The purists may disagree with me and may even brush aside the logic of my thoughts. However, perhaps I am more close to the youngsters and therefore know the reality that, if we do not get our act together we will lose many Jains in the time to come.
Therefore, my humble proposal to all of you is to be united and save our young Jains from going astray; be united and bring and make them feel proud of being a Jain as they are the future of Jainism. Let's not lose them.
can't we shift the focus completely to the principles? On behalf of the Jains, I propose that every Jain student must be taught to follow the principles of Jainism and respect the rituals of all traditions. Rituals are the way of doing things or expressing things in a certain way "the ways" can be different while the Let us have sessions where all of us can learn about "principles" being the same. the origin and history of each tradition with a strict adherence to respect each other minus any attempt to prove that one is better than the other. The purists may disagree with me and may even brush aside the logic of my thoughts. However, perhaps I am more close to the youngsters and therefore know the reality that, if we do not get our act together we will lose many Jains in the time to come. Therefore, my humble proposal to all of you is to be united and save our young Jains from going astray, be united and bring and make them feel proud of being a Jain as they are the future of Jainism. Let's not lose them.
One little person, giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people going some of the time can make history Peace Pilgrim
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