Jain Spirit 2004 03 No 18

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

Page 15

NEWS 13
Young Jains Keep on Growing
In Britain and around the world, which looked at the 4 Kashays - Inner the Young Jains have continued enemies which keep us bound in the with an ambitious and wide
Karmic Cycle of Life and Death. ranging programme of spiritual and Earlier in the year there had been social activities, designed to foster a sessions on Anger Awareness. The idea sense of community among Jain of ego awareness training is to young people, and also to project overcome the ego by understanding it Jain values onto a wider canvas - better. Jains often refer to the ego as opening eyes to Jain Dharma. kashay or inner enemy, an obstacle to
These activities on sharing Jain right faith, knowledge and conduct Dharma and making it accessible range and obtaining Moksha. Over the from Study Sessions, Jain Practices & Christmas holiday period, Young Jains Festivals to charitable work. On 23 have been working as volunteers for November 2003, for example, Young Crisis, the national charity for Jains held an afternoon of empowering homeless people in the UK. They cite workshops for youth at Canons High Mahatma Gandhi's maxim: “The best School, Edgware, Middlesex (North- way to find yourself is to lose yourself West of London), which was attended in the service of others." by a range of charities including Sense Young Jains intend to continue and Make a Wish Foundation. There to make a difference in 2004. For 23 was a seminar in the afternoon led by years, the Jain community of Thika, two life coaches. The aim of the event Kenya has been holding an annual was to provide a platform and inspire eye and ear, nose and throat (ENT) young Jains to make a difference to camp. Last year, over 15,000 people the outside world and cultivate the were screened, 6,000 received free foundational quality of compassion. glasses and over 400 were operated On 14 December 2003, an afternoon on. The Thika Jain Youth League of 'Ego Awareness' took place, also atare looking for committed volunteers Canon's High School. This was part of in any field for the camp, which runs the Experiments in Jainism II series from 2-10 April 2004 at Mangu
High School in Thika. No experience or medical knowledge is required, just willingness to learn and help. For more information, contact Kajal at kajshah@aol.com and visit www.youngjains.org.uk under the 'Charity Work' section.
In addition to the student nodes at Universities, Young Jains has recently been launched in South London.
Young Jains will be celebrating and sharing the Significance of Major Jain Festivals including Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan and Diwali. This year's International Convention in September is entitled 'TTM II: The Next Slice and will continue the theme of sharing Jain Dharma in an innovative and creative manner.