JAINA Convention 2015 07 Atlanta GA

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

Page 97

2015 JAINA Convention
Jainism World of Non-Violence
PREACHING NON VIOLENCE
Hannah Shah
Non violence is the greatest force
at the disposal of mankind. It is migliter than the migliticat
weapon of destruction, depused by the ingenuity of the man. One individual can begin a movement
that turns the tide of history. Thust take a look at MLK Ir. and his dedication to unite thie colored and writes wereas on the other hand Gandhi
leads the creation of an independent country of India. Non violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man.
There is no such thing as a
defeat in non violence.
CUP OF TEA AND A LOAF OF BREAD by Rupa Shah One evening my father came from work and asked my mom I needed a friend, I found one at JCSC. Whenever I needed to make a huge pot of tea. He went to the market and bought to divert my attention from any negative emotions, Jain some leaves of bread. I was then maybe 10 years old. After Center volunteering came to the rescue. Volunteering at dinner my father, mother, my brother and I went to Dadar ICSC gave me self-confidence and has helped me cope station in Bombay. So many people had their homes by the with the roller coaster of trials and tribulations. It gave curbside of the station. Their so-called homes were just me identity, self-satisfaction, and a sense of belonging, the temporary residences, Anytime the police could come along with cherished memories, that I will never forget. and they would have to run to find another home. One I found lifelong friendship. I leamed Skills of team old blanket and one bag full of clothes or miscellaneous building project management, and conflict resolution small items were their household belongings. There were through volunteering at Jain Center which helped in my rows of old blankets and on top of the blankets were the professional life. thin fragile bodies of people. My father went to first one tapped his shoulder gently and gave him a cup of tea and the imageofthat man years ago, whose expression changed a bread. Though I was young. I could see a sudden change from despair to satisfaction, just with a cup of tea was still of emotions on his face, from despair to satisfaction. That in my subconscious, and with that in mind. I volunteered picture was captured and stayed in my subconscious Myat TCCOP - Tender Care Community Outrech Program father went to all of them one by one and gave tea and bread
where I served dinner to homeless people. I felt gratitude
for having an opportunity to make a little difference in I was raised in middle class family in Dadar, Bombay. One
someone's life might around 1 AM someone knocked at the door. My father answered. He was the worker from the sweet shanust In 2013, the United Health Care System conducted a study underneath our buikling. His name was Sitaram Sitram and found that good health is as much of a journey as it is used to make sweets from early morning to late night and
a destination. Traditionally, our health has been left to the would come and sleen in one am which was kerst hy care of our doctors, nurses, and other health professionals the owner of the sweet shop. That day. Sitaram had a bad who have done so much for us in clinical settings. In recent stomach ache and he knew my father was in the medical years, they have started to realize that good health means business, so he may have medicine. Someone from my
much more than a set of number tracking, height, weight family frowned "how come they are bothering us in the
heart rate, and cholesterol. It starts with the individual middle of night?" My father answered, "Whatever little
It means taking an integrated approach to wellbeing that we can do if it helps someone why not?" Seeds of helping
includes not only our physical health, but our emotional others planted in my consciousness.
health, our sense of purpose, our connections to our
comunity, and our overall quality of life Years went by. I came to the USA While assimilating into a new culture, keeping our identity and dignity was not easy,
76% of the people who volunteered said they felt healthier but was also not impossible. When I moved to California
and 94% of the people who volunteered said that it in 1985 Jain community was taking its first stens. The seed improved their mood. 78% of people said they felt less that my father had planted came to the surface and stressed and felt calm and peaceful doing small things for the temple. I knew it was nothing 's not often we find this kind of win-win activity Doing compared to what many more were doing, but my feeling good for others is good for us as well. We can do more was to contribute, no matter how big or small Over the years De better. So what are you waiting for? Let us join hands Jan Center became part of my extended family. Whenever together and serve our community Penes rectangul that we sawar man lych zawar that!
- Katiwala
Biography
As a student turning 16, life just gets more complicated with the upcoming decisions of colleges and maintaining the GPA which becomes your remote control to your life during the four years in high school. Aside from school activities. I have been dancing performing for 10 years and volunteering for the McKenzie Wilson Foundation throughout the year including summers. I am part of the Youth Committee in the Indian Cultural Society and have volunteered at the local Jain Chapter Email hannah shahyahoo.com
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