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Vantage Point
Do we really
need JAINA?
By Sulekh C. Jain, Pres. of JAINA For the past two years, I have used these columns to communicate about JAINA, Jain community in North America, various projects, accomplishments, celebrations and also to start a dialogue and constructive debate on various issues facing the Jain community.
As I travel, visit many Jain centers and meet and talk to a lot of Jains, I sometimes do hear questions like, What is JAINA, Why do we need JAINA and What does JAINA do for me? These are very valid questions and must be addressed.
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JAINA is nearly 11 years old. With a humble beginning in 1981 and just four Jain centers as its founding members, the membership has grown to 52 and this number is steadily increasing. There are lots of dedicated people who provide their time and money and support its activities. This includes JAINA Executives, JAINA Directors, presidents and office bearers of many Jain centers, members and chairpersons of more than 30 national committees, silent workers, well wishers and others here in North America and overseas. JAINA has established a good library, is preparing several publications, publishes a quarterly news magazine (Jain Digest), has had six successful conventions, participated in some international events and has name recognition nationally and internationally within the Jain community. JAINA has definitely grown in size, stature, range and scope of activities. In spite of this great success, often times there are strains that affect its growth and hence these questions arise.
Inmy view, JAINA is a unique experiment within the Jain community. The concept of non-sectarian,
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non-regional, ONE national religious organization of all Jains and that too an organization of organizations and not of individuals, is not only new but also somewhat foreign and unnatural for Jains. Back home, we did not grow up with this concept or tradition. I know that there are several national organizations in India but they are mostly sectarian. Attempts have often been made to create a national organization of all Jains (for example, Bharat Jain Mahamandal and Bhagwan Mahavir Memorial Samiti, etc.) but their organizational structure and influence has been limited. Outside India, similar concepts of creating a JAINA-like federation has been tried for several years in the U.K. but with limited success.
Because of our traditions and upbringing, the concept of being just Jains and establishing a JAINA-like organization (without differences of sect, caste, profession, language and place of birth) takes time to take root in acceptance, approval and support. For 2500 years, we have been dividing and dividing. Now we are trying to unite under one national Jain organization. Because of our past history, patience is very much needed.
In its short span of 11 years (of JAINA's existence), needs, demands and expectations of the Jain community have increased tremendously. Demands and activities of JAINA have become a full-time job not for one or two individuals but for several individuals. Today, we do not have resources and full-time staff to meet all these demands; hence, some disenchantment with JAINA. What we have today is a dedicated team of purely voluntary and part-time workers. Many of these people selflessly devote their time and money in the service of the Jain community. Because of this limitation, sometimes we are not able to timely and effectively communicate and fulfill all the rising expectations. I hope our community understands this dilemma and tries to provide solutions.
The answer to my earlier asked question, "Do we really need
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