Jain Digest 2007 11 1

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

Page 46

JAIN DIGEST Winter 2007
and path to practically follow Jain principles in our daily life. In life, and for our future generation, we need to learn the value of Jainism and properly execute our knowledge in life to the best of our ability. This can be accomplished through Pathshala, which is the balance in our life that can unite and connect each and every person towards Jainism"-Shital Shah, Current Pathshala Teacher, JCMC, Chicago, Ex-Pathshala Graduate
"Pathshala serves many immediate and long-term needs for enabling Jain youths to comprehend, cope and make an impact within this world we share with others - its moral and spiritual relevance is greater today than ever before. A healthy, well-rounded program on our Jain Way of Life would go a long way in raising the next generation of productive citizens. I encourage Jain parents and youth all over to rush to the next Class being held near you!" - Pathshala Teacher, Jain Center of Detroit Poem by Student
Close With You
Help set me free from this misery
So my soul can escape and be with you
Pure joy I shall become, no troubles to surround me O Bhagwan! Guide me and help me be free My savior, my one and only
Your teachings have shaped me for who I am Without you, I would be lost...hopeless Love, Kindness, Hope, Forgiveness... would be unknown words to me
O Bhagwan! Guide me and help me be free Let me fly with you beyond the heavens Where my soul can be liberated
I am not perfect...I have sinned
With your guidance, someday I shall be pure O Bhagwan! Guide me and help me be free
So one day hopefully, I will be with you...close with you
-Shebani Shah (Age: 14) Written during Jain Camp, JCGP
Pathshala or a University?!
Shri Labdhi Suri Jain Dharmik Pathshala, Shri Adinath Jain temple, Chickpet, Bangalore. Started in 1975 has a current student strength 1250 sutdents. The shala is housed in a stand-alone 5 story building, which contains a Upasray, and a residence for the Pathshala Gurujis. The classes start at 7.am and continue till 9 pm.
Contributed by Pandit Jayesh Khona, JCNC, a former student and teacher of this Pathshala.
Research in Jainism
-Compiled by Guest Editorial Team
A conference hall was filled with youngsters asking questions and listening eagerly to the speaker. The scene was repeated at yet another session: same speaker, different topic, more
youngsters. Where did this deep and genuine interest and curiosity spring from? What were these youngsters interested in? And who was the soft-spoken speaker with deep knowledge who had their rapt attention?
The date was July 2005, the occasion: JAINA Convention, Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California. The topics of discussion were Historicity of Jainism and Contributions of Jainism to Art and Culture. The questions being asked were how does one know of these topics, what is the evidence? Where? How? Who? Why? The speaker, Dr. Yogendra Malaiya, answered the questions and elaborated on various points. He had answers to some of the questions, for others he talked about the research being done in the field.
Yes, Jainism has vast amounts of literature, written at least 500 years after Mahavir's Nirvan, spanning 2000+ years. But the religion is much more ancient than that, as per current Jain belief. How does one prove that? What tools are needed, what skills are required?
Yes, Jainism is attributed with ancient knowledge about many of the modern day scientific fields, including mathematics, logic, physics, biology etc. How can one study and correlate with modern day sciences? How well do they match? Is our current understanding at par with what this ancient religion has theorized?
The current research is Jainism spans multiple areas. First there is on-going work on the religious aspects, understanding. interpretation and translation of the vast amount of literature in modern languages and contexts. Secondly, some scientists and mathematicians are poring over the Jain versions and correlating, theorizing and perhaps even extending the current understandings of various subjects. The third area is looking at the social and cultural aspects of Jainism and its contribution to today's society, and its influence at various times in history. And then there is the cataloging and preservation effort of all the currently known and available literature, in various forms for posterity.
Below is a list of some of the research institutions:
Jaina Vishwa Bharati Instituite, Ladnun, Rajasthan Acharya Vidhyasagar Research Institute, Jabalpur Agam Ahimsa Samata Prakrit, Udaipur Arhat-Vachan Kundkund Jnanapeeth, Indore
Bhopal University, Department of Prakrit Comparative Linguistic Studies, Bopal
Jabalpur University, Department of Sanskrit, Pali and