Jainism Abroad

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

Page 31

For instance, he admits he is fond of his Sitar, the stringed instrument fashioned from a carefully grown gourd, carved from teak and inlaid with ivory from elephant tusks. But on his last trip to the United States, the airline smashed his Sitar. He says he did not allow himself to become upset.
"I took it lightly. It was going to break someday or another. Sitar is just an instrument to me like a ladder to go up". Just as an airline passenger can carry only a certain number of pounds of luggage, Toliya says, "If I want to float high in the spiritual world, I must have lesser material attachments. We are only a tenant in the house. The spirit is the tenant, the body is the house." Toliya tries to accumulate a minimum of wealth. As the father of five daughters, he acknowledges that some savings are needed, to provide for one's children. But he believes each person should give away 25 percent of his or her income. To be much richer than others causes them pain and is a sin, he says. He urges his Indian friends in the United States not to become too materialistic, and to pass on the best of the Indian culture to others in this country. He believes that all religions have a common essence-Self-Knowledge. Although he is a follower of Jainism, a form of Hinduism resembling Buddhism, he believes each religion has value. He says all religions have a common essence to attain Self-knowledge. Although he believes in reincarnation, Toliya says he has an interest in this life as well, and is opposed to nuclear war. "Science should be mixed with non-violence", he says. "Science plus violence is the downfall of all mankind".
Toliya will answer questions about his philosophy at the India Association booth from 7 to 10 tonight at the Ethnic Cultural Festival at Rogers Park. He will perform music tomorrow at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the festival stage shows.
The News Times
By CATHY SHUFRO (The interviewer of "THE NEWS TIMES")
Danbury, CT., 6-7-1984