Jain Network 2010 11

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Network

Page 13

Jain way of life Jains believe in non violence and lays stress on the individual and self effort, equality, tolerance and respect to other faiths, philanthropy and non violence and respect for all life including the care for the natural world, environment and animals. Its teachings are logical, scientific, and if followed properly lead to the path of peace, blissfulness and spiritual liberation. It fits very well in the modern world and advocates a way of life that promotes friendship to all and malice to none. Jains are law abiding citizens with human values and believe living together in the society where they settle.
Jain Diet Jains are strict vegetarians; their religious life prohibits them harming any form of life, which has more than one-sense. Even while procuring plant food, they are very careful in the selection, preservation and cooking, so as to minimize violence to plants and other onesense life. They do not take root vegetables and eggs. Jains are lacto-vegetarians; they take milk and milk products. The Jain diet is pure, nutritious and obtained without any overt violence and it sustains their physical and mental health: consisting of grains, pulses, milk, yoghurt (curd), ghee (clarified butter), buttermilk, vegetables and fruit. The Jain seers have advised diet excluding the items, which are produced by overt violence, and are not conducive to physical and mental health. Jain seers have observed duration and deterioration of various fresh foods, and suggested not eating it after its 'expiry' date.
Jain food is very tasty, nutritious and has a very varied repertoire of dishes. The dietary habits of Jains-eating regularly and slightly less than the capacity of one's stomach, avoiding eating at night, taking only acceptable foods and periodic fasting - keeps morbidity to a minimum.
Jains do eat manufactured or processed foods but take care that they do not contain animal products.
Infrastructure for the development of the Jain community relevant to the western world Since the Jain monks and nuns cannot come to the UK, the Jain community lacks the spiritual leadership and guidance. Although there are about 30 Jain organizations, but they are managed by voluntary workers who may not have appropriate skills and time. They require administrative and training set up similar to established faiths such as Christianity and Judaism. This is the question that the community has to address, if it wants to progress in preserving their heritage and way of life for the future generations.
Education for Jain heritage The Jain children require training in the Jain way of life, understanding the rituals and philosophy, learning the about the vast resource of Jain arts and culture. The community has to provide resources and infrastructure to set up training facilities within their set up and organizations. The Jain Academy has sponsored a course in Jainism at the De Montfort University in Leicester for three years; in the School of Oriental and African Studies, it sponsored a course for two years; established a Chair in Mumbai University and Department
13