Jain Spirit 2003 12 No 17

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

Page 70

VIEWPOINT
What Price Dis-Unity?
WHAT PRICE DIS-UNITY?
Bipin A. Shah demonstrates how unity was cultivated in Northern California
LL JAINS THE WORLD OVER ARE
I would like to share our experience in A aware of the fact that we are relatively
North America in the following paragraph. small in numbers as major religions go.
The Jain Centre of Northern California The restrictions imposed by the five
(JCNC) was created as an organisation that Mahavratas (vows) on all Jain saints create
unifies all Jains under one umbrella in the inherent limitations on their travel and the
San Francisco Bay Area, and the same is spread of Jainism outside India. What is
true of most other Jain Centres in North striking, however, is that even within our small
America. The sixty or so Jain Centres numbers we have several divisions of sub sects
across North America are further united such as Shvetambaras, Digambaras,
under the umbrella of JAINA (Jain Sthanakvasi, Deravasi and some more! These
Associations in North America) which act divisions lead to a further deterioration of the
and speak with one voice for all its focus Jains could have in spreading the timeless
members. The Jain Bhawan completed values of ahimsa, anekanta and aparigraha as
three years ago in Milpitas California by the taught by Lord Mahavir. I strongly believe that our generation | JCNC is a unique example, where we have Shvetambara of Jains has a great opportunity to promote these and take and Digambara murtis side by side and all the other Jainism to the next level of worldwide awareness and arrangements in the temple that unite the five sects acceptance.
represented in our area - Shvetambara, Digambara, In India it is apparent that the major sub sects of Jainism are Sthanakvasi, Terapanthi and the devotees of Shrimad a closed group, and they are not very open to communicate and Rajchandra. We have achieved excellent unity while collaborate with other sub sects of Jains. The vast financial maintaining the required diversity for all the groups - an resources of some of the Jain Trusts are not being spent in important aspect of anekanta. We have adopted a two-tier sufficient amounts at colleges and universities in India and governance structure with an elected Board of Directors and abroad to help create formal curricula in Jainism. In fact, they an Executive Committee with very well defined term limits don't seem to be spent on anything except temple building. to prevent any one from taking power and control for any Outside India, if we take the English speaking countries like the extended period of time. Having permanent or life long UK and the USA, there is not a single full time professorship trustees in many Jain organisations is actually a major on Jainism endowed by Jains. This is a significant missed source of weakness and potential conflict, as positions of opportunity that needs a very quick corrective action on the part unchecked power become barriers to the formation and of Jain leaders.
implementation of new ideas. Jains, who think as Sthanakvasis and Deravasis, need to I sincerely hope that the majority of Jains can unite re-examine the word 'Vasi' and think 'afresh' as Jains first in under the banner of Jainism and collectively work hard and spreading the message of Mahavir. I would also like to think mobilise resources to spread the message of our that our Jain Acharyas from the various sects can start playing Tirthankaras. The world urgently needs this message and a major role in this effort by down-playing the minor will benefit a lot from it. differences between sects and emphasising the major similarities. If the Acharyas take it upon themselves to do this, the community leaders and trustees of the various sects will Bipin A. Shah is the current President of the Jain Centre of soften their dogmatic positions. They need to actively use their
Northern California based at Milpitas in the Silicon Valley. power and influence to build and not destroy unity. To this end,
He is also an executive in the high technology industry.
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Jain Spirit . December 2003 - February 2004
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