Jain Digest 1999 04

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

Page 26

Publisher's note: JAINA sponsored an essay competition as a part of its ongoing commitment to the progressive development of Jainism in North America. The main topic of the 1998 JAINA Essay Competition was Maintaining and Representing Our Religious and Cultural Identity as Jains in North America.
There were a total of 123 participants, 45 from ages up to 10 years, 60 from ages 11 to 14 years, 16 from ages 15 to 18 years and two from ages 19 and older. There were 101 participants from Jain Center of Southern California, 11 from Jain Center of Greater Boston, three from Jain Center of San Diego, two from Jain Center of N. California, two from Jain Center of Chicago, two from Jain Center of Connecticut, and one each from Jain Center of Toronto and Florida. JAINA thanks each and every participant, and their respective Jain Centers for their efforts, enthusiasm and affection that they have shown for the Jain religion.
JAIN DIGEST is publishing the first place essays in all four categories. The winning essays by Riddhi Mehta, age 8, in the up to 10 years' category, and by Shadrule Shah, age 8, in the ages 11 to 14 years', were printed in the Fall 1998 and Spring 1999 issues, respectively.
The remaining two appear below. All prizes will be awarded at the forthcoming 10 Biennial JAINA Convention in Philadelphia.
Sacow
First Place Essay: 15 to 18 years
Keeping fainism Alive By Manisha Parel Age: 15
America has developed into a very diverse country with Jainism is very helpful and interesting because it gives you people from all over the wadd-ho each brought ie their own l ogical goal to strive for Etemal spirirual happiness is the main altures. Along with the people and cultures, there came many goal in Jainism and is represented by Moksha. By attaining religions and though Christianity quidly became one of the Melaka, you are ending the eye of birth and death. You have main focuses in America, many other religions have found there's rid yourself of all your karmas, and are never again burdened by way into the spotlight. Now, as the rear pane, dhe people of their affeca. Everyone wants to be happy and this goal is very America are becoming more aware of the numerous religionis, elogicalin saying that all you have to do is get rid of your karmas, and are realizing they an decide which religion they want to Jainism is intriguing in the sense tbar ir says anyone can atain follow. Having to make this decision is leaving many people Moksha and became a 'god." God is poc higher in the sense that confused, and some people jus drop religion altogether, think he has more poper. Everyone is equal, and has an equal ing that it's too much of a house, But ze for nie my mind is potential of becominggod. All they have to do is follow the Jain αν η δε αρ. Ιππι μη, α ν και οι οικοι στην Πα. principles. This may seemvery difficuk, but Jainism is designed
Every religida i bakeally a onde o adictva book of rules with the fact in mind that everyone has limitations, and not all for people to follow in their daily life. More religions daim that wouls are capable of following every principle to his true extent. if you follow their principles you the happy, but if you don't Because of this, Jainism has developed simple ways to practice you will be miserable and horrible this will happen. Jainism daily life in order to get rid of karmas and not accumulate more is this way too, bar it goes even further de las bates me because karmas Forecample, there are fivevows that Jains must follow. it account for all the good or bad things that happen in head. There are non-violence, trudi, non-stealing, non possessivegives reasons for why they happen. Dies remaine are based ness, and celbay, Now, the common householder may prac upon the Karma Theon, which explains that you controus the these to a leser enteou than a monk might. This is because om destiny, Your actions and thoughts antacalhe seed of the householda has to worry about making a living traveling bad karmas vetuch band to your mod, and thackama, in fun, or niang a family. But, the householder, by practicing these. make good or bad things come your way. The longer dhe kama tungs, is still benefiting his life. So, even though the housestays with you, the longer you suffer. The near to whidsthee holder has limitations, Jainism is still helping him and making karmas react upon you and how long the stay with you, ishim bappy becsaice of the many simple ways of practicing I am - based upon how extreme your setion was. For example, if you practicing Jainism in my life in many ways. First of all, I am murder someone (a very extreme, bad thing to do the bad attending Parahat dasses at the temple. I have been attending ασημι γονεις ακτίνες του είναι και η λιτή οι δε ανοιχτές και οι δνε για τον αηάι επίoν ελε νεη πνιεs. I long time. They could even carroaiate your next life. Because want to leam about Jainism and by going to these cases. I fed of this concept that come to realize that it's because of farmas good about myself and can become a better Jain and a better that some people are born with dijeter or delete that some person. I also arrend a Sutra dass at de temple. I learn the people are maner than others, and that there are se many meanings of sumras as well as memorize them. Bylanting these, differences between us
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24/JAIN DIGEST SUMMER 1999
Jain Education Intemational