Jain Network 2010 11

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

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Relations with other faiths and why it is important for Jains to participate in interfaith activities Mahavira's teachings of 'acceptance of multiple views' - pluralism, 'qualified dogmatic assertions' - relative pluralism have made Jains respectful and tolerant to other faiths. Some leaders of the Jain community take active part in the interfaith activities and support the movement without any reservations. The interfaith work has helped the Jains for establishing their identity in the major public institutions and government bodies. Interfaith and Multifaith activities will assist the authorities to understand the needs of children in schools. The understanding of Jain values by employers, businesses, professionals, public servants and workers in the hospitality industry will help the community to get better services.
This story tells us why it is important to do interfaith work if you are a Jain.
Case Study-speech by Jyoti Mehta at the Inter Faith Week Launch 2009
Respected friends, good afternoon. My name is Jyoti and I am a practicing Jain from Croydon. I work as a production assistant for Red Bee Media, which provides subtitles for television. When I am not subtitling the news, I enjoy dedicating my time to the Jain community and interfaith activities.
I am currently one of the youngest Trustees of the Inter Faith Network, and this is the result of a journey which started at university when my interest in interfaith dialogue was really sparked. One of the foundational qualities described in Jainism is maitri, or universal friendship. The idea of universal friendship had always taught me to theoretically extend friendship to people of all faiths, but it was only when I became involved with other faith communities that I could actively practice this friendship. Engaging in interfaith dialogue at university educated me, inspired me and provided me with new friends. This ancient philosophy of universal friendship, maitri, was no longer academic for me, but real and I
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