Jain Center Minnesota MN 2007 07 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center Minnesota USA
Publisher: USA Jain Center Minnesota

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Faces of the Indian Community
Continuing in this issue, the India Club newsletter is featuring an article about a different segment of the Indian community. We hope that these articles will help enlighten us all, adults and children alike, on the wonderfully rich diversity within our own heritage.
In this issue, Ram Gada has written an article on the Jains of Minnesota. Ram is an engineer by vocation, and he is an enthusiastic and consistent supporter of India Club by avocation. We thank him for sharing his insights with us in the following article.
Jains of Minnesota
Origins: Jainism is one of the most ancient religions originating in India. The Jain scriptures claim that it is eternal as it is based on reality. The Jains follow the teachings of 24 Tirthankars or Jinas--spiritual teachers-who found a path across the ocean of sufferings and demonstrated the direction to salvation (moksha). Rishabhadeo was the first Tirthankar. Modem scholars accept Paarshavanath (23rd Tirthankar) born in 877BC as the first historical personality. The 24th Tirthankar Mahavir was born in 599 BC (in modem Bihar, India) and attained Nirvana in 527BC.
Although the Jain population today is just over 10 million, the Jain religion has contributed significantly to Indian Culture with its metaphysical and ethical doctrines.
NON VIOLENCE IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED
Ahimsa: Non-violence or non-injury is the central and most important principal of Jainism. Mahavir taught Ahimsa as "the pure, unchanging, eternal law" that "all things living, all thing breathing.all things whatever, should not be slain or treated with violence or insulted or injured or tortured or driven away". Today Jains teach that since no one likes pain, it is logical that no one should cause pain for others. We should not do to others what we do not want them to do to us.
Jains see violence or injury being of three kinds: (1) physical violence of deeds (2) Spoken violence of harsh language (3) Mental violence of feeling ill-will to others. But ahimsa is not seen merely as the rejection of all these forms of violence--it also requires positive acts of goodness shown through caring, sharing, helping and loving others. Acts of kindness, compassion and charity to everyone including (or especially) your enemies are seen as lightening or purifying the soul, lifting it towards the peace and perfection of nirvana. Because of this way of thinking and acting. Jains in India are noted for setting up hospital and dispensaries for humans and animals and for establishing schools and colleges, resthouses and almshouses which are available to everyone regardless of cast or creed. Vegetarianism is the normal way of life for Jains resulting from love and reverence for all life.
The theory of relativism or multiplicity of viewpoints based on logic is also a significant contribution of Jainism to tolerance against absolutism. It means that truth is many sided and one must be tolerant enough to understand others' viewpoints. This doctrine can create an atmosphere of harmony and peace in multi-cultural societies all over the world.
Jainism makes no distinction of cast, creed or gender to attain salvation. Monks, Nuns, laymen and laywomen are four parts of the Jain order (Sangh). At present there are more Jain nuns (4475) than Jain monks (1745).
In the history of India, the Jains have made significant contributions to art, literature, temple architecture and sculpture, grammar, philosophy, medicine, mathematics and astrology.
All over the world, Jains observe Paryusan Parve which takes place in an 8-10 day period in August/September. It is a spiritual celebration in self-discipline marked by retro-inspection of one's past, new path for good behaviour, fasting, repentance and expressions of universal goodwill and peace. The last day SAMVATSARI is marked by seeking forgiveness for ay pain or harm they may have caused knowingly or unknowingly by body, speech or thought during the past year.
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JAINS IN MINNESOTA
The Jain Center of Minnesota is a member of the FEDERATION OF THE Jain Associations in North America (Jaina). The Jaina maintains a central library, publishes a quarterly magazine-Jain Digest- coordinates visits of Jain scholars and monks/nuns from abroad and acts as a communicator for 54 member organizations in USA and Canada.
The Jains in the Twin Cities meet once every month for the discourse on their religion, conduct classes for young adults and celebrate Jain festivals. Members are also very enthusiastic participants in other community. professional, social and business activities.
This month we observe Paryusan with several spiritual activities. It is a time of universal friendship and goodwill when Jains repeat the verse:
I ask forgiveness of all
living beings
May I have friendly relations with all beings
And be unfriendly to
none.
Mar