Jain Spirit 2003 02 No 13

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 9

NEWS FEATURE
very creative and noble experiment. The organising team worked for almost a whole year to give structure to the event and to design creative and stimulating workshops which would educate as well as inspire. This was a tremendous act of seva for the benefit of the community. In the process, a large group of young people drew inspiration from Jainism, learnt about leadership, teamwork and innovation, and obtained self-fulfilment from realising the fruits of a significant challenge. At the end of the event, many delegates were inspired to get involved in Young Jains and take on new projects and challenges.
The entire weekend was lived in a Jain way. The food was vegan Jain, there was no alcohol anywhere, the elders helped with the cooking and
prevented us from achieving salvation. These vices could be conquered with positive qualities like Truthfulness, Forgiveness and, Humility, Integrity and Contentment. The 'Star Wars' analogy was used
to illustrate this Delgates absorbed in a drama workshop
with the concept
of the Dark Side enlightenment (moksha). To attain and the Light Sabre, Evil and Good. moksha, one has to shed karmas and This was very innovative, and for those remove the hindrances from the soul. who had seen the film, a truly uplifting The concept of soul and its innate and educational experience. Stories, quality of bliss and happiness were
visuals, skits and music were used directly experienced through an acting throughout to convey the messages. exercise, where delegates were asked
The complex concepts of to pretend to be angry, sad and happy in karma including shedding turn. When asked which was the (ashrava) and bondage (bandha) easiest action to perform, everyone were also explained within this said that it was happiness. Happiness context. There was constant was the easiest because it is innate to reminder and reinforcement of the soul. In this way, they all had a soul key concepts and the journey experience and were able to understand to moksha. Samyag Darshan, its in-built quality. To illustrate the the concept of complete selfconcept of reincarnation and soul awareness, was also explained as progression, an entire workshop was an achievable target in this life. devoted to the past lives of Lord The life and teachings of Shrimad Mahavir where delegates had to act and Rajchandra were used to illustrate role play some of these experiences. This gave them a direct understanding
A visitor to the event may of transcendence.
have thought-is this really Jainism? Is We may not be able to control fully this authentic? But once they go with what happens to us, but we can the flow, they would have discovered certainly influence the way we react to the efforts made by the organisers to be these situations. From the beginning, it authentic and sincere to the philosophy was explained that we all have choices of Jainism. The convention was over how we respond to particular conducted by young people for young situations. It is up to us to exercise people, and this was also a key to its these choices and thereby influence the success. Many people bought books at quality of our life. In whatever we do, the event, a sign that they were thirsty the bhava or inner spirit is very to find out more about Jainism. important. Our physiology and senses As a founder of Young Jains, I can be used to change our state - this have had many years of experience of was demonstrated through role-play. organising events and conferences
A whole session was devoted to which would appeal to young people. the understanding of vices (kashayas) Often, these approaches have been live and how to overcome them. Anger, experiments where the audience are Ego, Deceit and Greed were attributes shown a new approach to learning and which hindered our own happiness and living Jainism. This convention was a
this.
Older community members enter into the mango spirit and happily prepare food
for the hungry masses serving giving a family atmosphere, and people talked with everyone without feeling inhibited. The large number of games and workshops and mango dances enabled delegates to relax and feel rejuvenated. “I hope Young Jains continues its excellent skill in showing Jainism as a modern, practical, relevant and fun way of living," remarked Shailan Shah, one of the delegates. Above all, the event was full of hope.
To find out more about Young Jains, visit www.youngjains.org.uk
Atul
Shah
December 2002 - February 2003. Jain Spirit
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