Jain Digest 1992 01

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

Page 11

Youth
Essay Competition planned
Jain Digest Mantra. However, there is a significant eration group of ages 12 and under that does not
(Editors note: The section of the know the mantra. Also, almost twenty per
survey containing other issues which were cent recite the Namokar Mantra without
part of the original survey is not inknowing its meaning.
cluded. This is only an abridged version. Although seventy-seven percent
We appreciate the efforts put forth by the are proud of their Indian heritage and enjoy
youths.) discussing it with their non-Indian friends. a shocking sixty percent believe that the Dallas vouth active Jain heritage will disappear in the next few generations.
By Raksha Jain, Dallas TX As the Jain community continues
The Jain youth group of Dallas to expand outside of India, it is important to has been functioning for three years with a get feedback from the youth about how membership of about 20. Among their aceffectively the Jain heritage is being passed complishments are a book entitled Reflecon to the next generation. We hope that this tions summarizing the 1989-1990 year, a survey is the first step in that direction. Now video of their 1990-1991 activities and a it is the responsibility of each individual to movie about Mahavir. This is a very active preserve the Jain philosophy so that future group with goals on how to learn and generations can learn, benefit from and understand Jainism through discussion and "Extend the Jain Heritage to the Next Gen- lectures.
An Essay competition is planned to be held in conjunction with the seventh JAINA Convention. Your suggestions for topics are invited. Write or call: Shantilal Mohnot, 1016 Summer Ridge Dr., Murrysville, PA., 15668.(412) 325-2058.
Youngsters travel throughout Texas
Twelve youngsters from Dallas, Texas visited Houston during Thanksgiving weekend at the invitation of the Houston Jain fellowship. They all interacted well in their social activities and religious discussions.
Youth survey results made available
The Jain Youth Forum of Metropolitan Chicago conducted an in-depth survey at the Sixth Biennial JAINA Convention. This survey was divided into three categories: personal, religious and social.
Out of 221 respondents questioned, 117 were male and 104 were female. Almost two-thirds of the youth present were teenagers. Eighty-seven percent of the youths were from the United States while the rest were spilt equally between Europe and Canada.
Gujarati is spoken by eighty percent while others speak Hindi and other Indian languages.
Eighty-four percent are vegetarian. The youth from the United States feel that it is difficult to be a vegetarian; yet, sixty-six percent of the vegetarian youths claimed to have no difficulty.
The religious section of the survey included questions about Jain functions and activities in the youth's hometown. About forty-two percent do not have established youth groups.
When asked about reciting mantras and practicing Jainism, most of the youths surveyed said that they knew the
Youth Rap
From the Boston Youth Group Yo, they call me Lord Mahavir! I say NAMO, NAMO! (namo, I never eat meat and I never drink namo!) beer!
Get down and boogie and chant Follow me, if you wanna know
Namokar mantra till you die! The three jewels are the way to go.
We're Jain, we're cool, we're Dudes! I never cause pain,
peaceful fools And I'm proud to say that I'm a
For a Jain to be considered a Jain!
humanitarian, We're Jain, we're cool, we're He also must be a vegetarian! peaceful fools
I've attained Kevalgyan, or supreme Bad karmas attach to my soul, knowledge And prevent me from attaining my But I never went to school and I goal!
never went to collegel I gave up all of my possessions, The only way to attain eternal and for my sins I've given my deevana confessions!
Is to purify your soul and attain Here's some advice from your mama Nirvana! Don't die, attain Nirvana!!
We're Jain, we're cool, we're We're Jain, we're cool, we're peaceful fools peaceful fools
Yo man let's pray I'm through with the cycle of death Word to your muni and life
•Performed under the auspices of the because I never hurt a man and I
JAINA Convention during July 4-6, never had a wife!
1991 in San Francisco, U.S.A. I like to meditate on Friday nights! Lyrics: Anupam Palvia, Lead I prefer to talk- not get into fights! Vocalists: Anupam Palvia, Nimesh I never told a lie. I always told Shah what's true,
Background Vocalists/Dancers: To steal is the last thing I'd ever Brinda Shah, Mona Shah, Neili wanna do.
Shah, Pinky Shah, Sandeep Dalal, I say NAMO! (namo!)
Disc Jockey: Aseem Palvia, Side Dancers: Sonali Dalal, Ami Vora
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