Jain Digest 1992 04

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

Page 3

Contents
Vantage Point
1
News and Announcements 2 Mahavir Jayanti Calendar 6 1992 Jain Celebrations International News
7
JAINA Committee News Calendar of Events "Mahavir Jayanti" Youth Corner Education
Matrimonials
"A Jouney to Ranakpur". Letters
Vantage Point
Are
we
Jains yet?
By Sulekh C. Jain
Recently one of our fellow Jains called me and after Jai Jinendra and an exchange of some pleasantries, he asked me, "Are we Jains yet?" First I couldn't understand, but then I started thinking that it was a loaded question. I am sure he was seeing certain trends in the Jain community in North America, and naturally it was bugging him.
Let me share with you how I look at things and what I told him. I hope in broader context you
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Editor.
from the cover
the number of ads will depend upon the size of the center.
This year, as of March, 1992, we have received $1230 as donations per 20 persons. I thank those who have donated generously, but I must remind the readers that the Jain Digest goes out free to anyone who is interested. Please ask your friends and relatives to send their names and addresses
agree with me.
I told this fellow Jain that I was born in Delhi in a particular sect of Jainism. As I grew up I only came to know about Jains of similar background around me. I understood, believed, appreciated, observed and practiced beliefs and traditions of Jainism that I came in contact with which I know now was very narrow and rigid. My world of Jainism was a very small world and as such I had a very narrow vision, perception and understanding. Like many other religions my knowledge and acceptance of fellow Jains of other sects was very limited. I was aware of all other sects' negatives rather than positives. Looking at it now my upbringing did not afford me an opportunity to understand and appreciate the dimensions, breadth and beauty of all Jains and thus of Jainism. Because of sectarian upbringing, I was practically ignorant of the vastness of Jainism. At that time I was a Vasi (Sathanakvasi). and not a complete Jain. About twenty-six years ago something happened to me. I left that
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I would like to express my deep sense of appreciation for the help and advice of the executive advisory board members. It would not be possible to produce the Jain Digest without their support.
small world of mine and came to the United States. Here, over the years, I met and came in contact with Jains, not only from one sect but also from all sects, and also from all corners and states of India with different last names, food habits, languages, and ways of worship. Slowly, slowly my myopic view of Jainism began to change, and due to this melting pot I started seeing and appreciating the richness of Jainism. Gradually, a transformation started taking shape, and from a sectarian Jain, I became a Jain. For 2500 years we have been dividing and dividing ourselves into various sects and subsects in India. But Jains (about 50,000) who immigrated to North America during the last three decades, fortunately are engaged in a very unique and beautiful experiment, i.e. in creating a non-sectarian Jain community in North America.
Let me give you a few examples of how this is being done:
To the best of my knowledge names of all organizations in North America start with Jain and membership is open to all Jains without