Jain Center Los Angeles CA 1998 07 10th Anniversary of Jain Bhavan

Author(s): Jain Center So CA Los Angeles
Publisher: USA Jain Center Southern California

Page 138

Personal Perspectives of Members on Impact of Jain Center in Their Lives
Sejal Devendra Shah, age 17
I am glad that I had the opportunity to go to JCYC classes because I feel much better knowing that I have learned something new about my culture. I have been going to JCYC classes for two years and I have picked up so much new information. I feel special about myself because I can pass my knowledge to someone else. I did not go to Jain Center that often and by going to class I am able to go and say my prayer in the Mandir.
By taking Pathshala class as one of my subjects, I was able to learn many prayers, learned right from wrong, my favorite non-violence and many more. Violence starts from within and gives negative vibration, which is stored in the brain. This gives off bad habits. When the individual is able to change the habits, then the person can feel non-violence, Ahimsa. Instead of feeling hate, the person can feel love.
I was amazed that I was able to write and understand many things in Gujarati. This shows that with good concentration, anything is possible. Writing in Gujarati is not hard, but as my teacher would say, "Practice is always the best thing to do."
In addition all the teachers did a great job. They never got tired of student asking questions. They made the classes more interesting and enjoyable.
I am proud to be a Jain. Jainism is about self-realization.
- Paras Mehta (9)