Jain Digest 1987 02 Vol 07 No 01

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

Page 18

TOGETHER WE'RE BETTER
Great thinkers concluded that more the detachment from the worldly bondages, easier is the way to salvation. To attain this goal, call it MOKSHA or NIRVANA, Jains have adopted "AHIMSA" as a "step in aid" to train oneself to become free.
a dogmas nirthankaras meas took shoren in a mirno the ref
". the followers of differ. As an objectes the object and
"Do not do unto another what you don't want to be done unto you" is AHIMSA. Ás this being a universal truth, Jain Religion is a code for personal behaviour and not a dogma. Ahimsa is inherent in man. When man deterred from this path, the great Thirthankaras were born, they preached and retrieved him. Later on, the followers of Tirthankaras took short cuts to reach that goal and the points of view began to differ. As an object seen in a mirror, the viewpoints are many dependent on the angle of view. But the object and the reflection seen in the mirror are the same. Similarly the goal of Jain Religion is sa me - SALVATION, whatever the roads adopted by the followers of different traditions of Jainism,
With differing opinions and interpretations, there grew up different traditions among Jains. It is painful to admit that these trends persist even today in spite of man claiming to be logical and scientific in his outlook.
Jainism prevailed in India against all odds from other Faiths. Jains acted united keeping aside the secondary differences in the path to the goal of NIRVAN. In spite of the principle being applauded as universal, Jainism has faded and the number dwindled. Masses became victims of influence from other Faiths and Jains are now a negli bile minority in India. Some of them claim to be Jains by accident of birth and not for reasons of active following. Whatever is the constitutional guarantee for a minority, Jainism suffers with no effective voice.
Jainism is a great religion and Jains have a high culture. It is high time that we realize our past mistakes. Picturing the fate of the religion and the followers in India should not dishearten those in North America. The obstacles that face us here are nothing when compared to the tortures that befell Thirthankas - Parshwanath and Mahaveera - as they pursued the goal of Nirvana.
North American Jains are shielded from many physical influences from India and are dispersed far and wide with their number being miniscule compared to the rest of the population. All the same, it is encouraging to observe the fact that it is mostly the highly educated that have settled here. Having faith in the "NAMOKAR MANTRA", a Jain need not feel defensive of his actions. What is needed is to act sincerely as a Jain and set aside one's individual egos. Only then can we assure the next generation growing up here our heritage and value systems unique to being Jains. Ten chains individually cannot tie up an elephant, but woven together they can buckle it up. In America we do not feel the physical distances with the most modern mass communication means. It is high time that we join together heartily and vigorously revive our culture and spread its benefits to others. Without unity and cooperation nothing can be achieved. Rain drops here and there do not count, but together they form a river irrigating a valley.
Run to be a pioneer. Hurry up. 'Together We're Better".
Singly we could fail, but surely,
- S. Nabhirajiah, B.A., L.L.B.,
Sylvania, Ohio, USA
It is far better to forgive and forget than to resent and remember.
- Acharya Shanti Sagar