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JAIN DIGEST .. May 2011
Jain Traditions and Spirituality in
North America
Historical Perspective
traditions are dependent on dravya (substance), kshetra (space), kaal (time), and bhaav (form). Faced with changing time, social, and climatic conditions, the great Jain Acharyas, throughout history, provided leadership to the community to adapt the traditions in such a manner that the core message of Jainism was preserved over generations. We have many examples of such situations in the history. The survival of the stringent ascetic tradition among Jain monks was under huge strain during the 12-year drought around 300 BCE. While the great Advaita philosopher Adi Shankara revived the Brahmanic faith (Sanatana Dharma) by his propagation of logic through debate, the subsequent followers of that faith put the Digamber tradition under severe attack in southern India. Similar was the situation when outside invaders and Muslim rulers started attacking Jain temples and establishments. In all such situations, the Acharyas made appropriate changes to traditions while emphasizing certain aspects of the philosophy to ensure the survival of a longer term blossoming of the Jain society. Yes, in the process, there were many disagreements resulting in the formation of different groups or sects, but in all cases, the core essence of Jain way of life was preserved.
Sri Sammeta Sikharji - A symbol of Jain Tradition, where Jains believe the twenty
Tirthankars have attained Nirvana. Jains believe that Jainism has existed ever since there have been rational, logical thinking individuals, and from time immemorial Tirthankars have been guiding and reviving religion. Even historians agree that the basic concept of Jainism existed in all likelihood even during the period prior to that of the 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath Bhagwan (800 BCE). Tirthankar Mahavir Bhagwan presented Dharma, the ultimate path to salvation, in a multifaceted way that could withstand the onslaught of changing times. Various torchbearers from Mahavir's Ganadhars to Acharyas, Upadhyays and Sadhus, throughout history, played a vital role in passing the message of Bhagwan Mahavir, down the generations. Nevertheless, the task of maintaining, spreading and propagating the Dharma without diluting the core message has never been an easy task. Since the earliest of human civilization, communities have formed traditions, which are passed from one generation to other. Almost all religions have formed traditions that are passed down to generations. Imbibed in these traditions is typically the message of faith. Traditions, by their very nature, are dependent on the social norms and accepted culture at a specific time, location, and situation of the society. In a broader sense, according to Jain philosophy, we can say,
Jainism In Northern America (Past) If Swami Vivekananda introduced the eternal spiritual values of India to the western audience by his famous
ભારત INDIA 500 "Sisters and Brothers of America" speech, Virachand Raghavji Gandhi
वीरचंद राघवजी गांधी VIRCHANDRAGHAVA GANDHI presented a strong case to follow the timeless religion of nonviolence. In the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, Virachandji presented that even after countless invasions and foreign occupations the soul of Indian Heritage was untarnished. This unique national strength comes from a culture of tolerance that shuns dogmatism, developed over many centuries through a process of non-violence. Virachand Raghavji Gandhi
