Jain Digest 1993 04 Vol 20 No 02

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

Page 6

Jain Digest
Shree Kamdar to visit U.S. and Canda
Shree Rajendra Kamdar, a renowned young Jain scholar and orator on Jainism has kindly consented to visit the U.S.A. and Canada during the summer of 1993. He speaks in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. He is actively involved in various educational activities for making young Jains interested in understanding and practicing Jainism.
Exact dates of his visits are being worked out now. Organizations interested in hosting his visit this summer may contact Hasmukh Shah, 1409 Rising Wind Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905, phone (301) 384-1746.
a tradition of 'Respect for Knowledge and Character'. Some traditional Jains back home in India opposed our monks' travel abroad. The world has changed a lot in the past over 2500 years and is still changing, we don't know for better or worse. But one thing is certain that Jains have a tremendous responsibility to get its Universal Message of NonViolence to the wider world where innocent lives have been destroyed or made to suffer through weapons and where destruction of Nature's Balance in Environment continues.
I have a following few humble suggestions to offer for an open community dialog:
i. We abandon all “Prefixes', such as Acharya, Muni, Guru, Gurudev, His Holiness, etc. for all the monks and spiritual leaders outside India. We only use 'Ji' as a suffix showing respect.
2. There is no free lunch in U.S.A. for any one except for some Jain laymen and Monks. There is a need for change in this lop-sided topsy-turvy situation. We have all suffered begging for donations to give money to the visiting Monks, and others. A requirement of Community service needs to be established for this. Jain laymen will have to pay a price to an extent for their spiritual needs through supporting some. Preaching should be treated as a profession as in other religions like Christianity, Judaism,etc. But our preachers will have to 'practice' as well before they preach. The question is - What do they do during other hours when they are not preaching or conducting a ritual.
3. No Rewards/ Awards, like plaques, etc. be given to monks and spiritual leaders for their services. Some of the so-called Jain laymen leaders themselves have given awards to some monks for their own self aggrandizement. Jain monks are supposed to have renounced the world, and therefore, awards/ rewards are nothing but 'Parigraha'. It is a well known story of calling some one 'Rao Saheb', in expecta
tion of being called 'Bhau Saheb' in return.
4. No monk should directly or indirectly 'Play Politics of Religion' for satisfying one's own Ego. Some of our monks have openly supported and participated in the dirty political game of religious parties involved in the Ram Janmabhumi Agitation which led to shameful destruction through violence. We are supposed to respect every other faith or belief without participating in any partisan way, including their rituals.
5. No monk or his created organization of which he is the sole arbiter should be given monetary assistance for accumulation of wealth over and above their decent living requirements. Money should be donated only to the public organizations, managed and operated by Jain laymen, and audited regularly.
6. It is difficult for many to observe Celibacy - in thought, words and deeds in this materialistic world. Those who cannot practice should get married and continue to do what they can do best.
Finally, 'A stitch in time will save nine' or else we will also be a part of the story. Let us deal with the issue, fairly and squarely.
F.J. Dalal Maryland
Letters
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR JAIN MONKS AND SPIRITUAL LEADERS
Dear Editor,
Jain hospitality, or Hospitality network
Dear Editor,
Dr. S. K. Jain, Editor-in-Chief, Jain Digest raised an issue many talk about in private conversations, but do not have guts to speak out in public. The issue is there and the same needs to be resolved with dignity and honor, as the same is not going to go away. It is, therefore, the responsibility of an apex organization like JAINA to appoint a committee of responsible senior members of the community right away to study the issue in its entirety and present its report at the Convention in Pittsburgh at one of its plenary sessions for a decision.
Most of us have been raised in
Many human beings are fussy eaters. Some of us are bound by our own likes and dislikes in food due to our upbringing, custom, tradition, religion, palate, or medical (allergic) considerations. One can usually accomodate one's dietary needs when at home or with friends and relatives who know our limitations or preferences.
But in a society where meat, fish, and fowl are staple parts of the diet, vegetarians find it most difficult to find suitable meals once out
Jain Education Interational 2010_02