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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
MARCH 2016
A small gesture can escort a big smile !!
PRACHI SHAH
Jain spirit flourishing in little hearts on foreign land is a spiritual aura that you will experience when you meet students of Gyanshala at JVBNA center in N.J.-
U.S.A. JVBNA is a nonprofit Jain Organization lead by Terapanti Samanijis who are disciples of Acharya Shri Tulsi and Acharya Shri Mahapragya.
Under the guidance of Samanijis, Gyanshala is a Jain platform for current generation to nurture themselves with the value of Jain principles and knowledge. It is very fascinating and amazing to see these little ones accepting Jain values with their very own perception and vision. They have questions to every belief and without belief, they have no action. It's just wonderful to see how Teachers at Gyanshala and Samanijis, guide these little ones with Jain beliefs and principles answering all their doubts and hesitations. How wonderful it is and how fortunate are Jain families living on this foreign land. When there is right vision and path to follow, and more specifically when this path is guided by learned personal and that too on the land where our culture is hard to thrive, it is like an icing over the cake. When the roots are strong, there is no way a tree can fall. When the sails are set for the trip of life, and when these little ones have a guiding star, they would for sure enjoy brisk winds and land on safe harbor. Knowledge can be studied, money can be earned but culture and spiritual values are the quite essential factors that parents can give their children as a souvenir for rest of their life which will be secured in the safe deposits of their heart forever. This will lead them to success and happiness throughout. And when parents have such wonderful platform of Gyanshala right here with its arms wide open welcoming every child, what more one can ask for?
Every year Gyanshala conducts a holiday drive to sightsee values of Jain principles by means of action This year, during the spirits of holiday, JVBNJ under the guidance of Samani Shri Satyaprayaji and Samani Shri Rohinipragyaji, decided to applaud this endeavor by means of raising daily hygiene supplies for Ozanam Family Shelter -Edison, N.J. This is a shelter for homeless families and individuals run by a non-profit catholic Charities. Poor and underprivileged
families who does not have any shelter and are going through a difficult phase of life, Ozanam Family Shelter provides a roof and lodging to them. One of the foremost principle taught through Jain philosophy is to care and extend a helping hand to people in need. It does not matter what religion or nationality they belong to, as amending people in need is the Jain way of life. This is exactly what JVBNA nurtures. Students at Gyanshala were enlightened with this essence of Jain principles. They realized the fact that there are many families around them who are not as fortunate and a small little gesture to such people can add colossal values to their life and make their life a little better and smoother to live.
As a result, families of JVBNJ started amassing daily use hygiene supplies such as shampoos, soaps, diapers, toothpaste, toothbrush and many more. Within no time, students brought in numerous amount of supplies to Gyanshala. When these children at Gyanshala understood the true meaning of giving and sharing, there was no standstill to their sprit and enthusiasm. Children realized that they are fortunate to have all their needs fulfilled in their life and out of which, if they can share and give even 2% to the people in need, the surplus amount of Joy and happiness would be worth the experience. They were all excited and blooming with the spirit of accomplishment in their pink cheeks. Looking at the enthusiasm and sprit of children, parents did not even think once but contributed more than an armful of required supplies. Now it was just time to gift the same at the Family Shelter and see the reflection of Joy on individuals there.
On December 13th 2015, students, teachers and parents (including myself)got together and carried the supplies to Ozanam Family Shelter , in Edison, N.J. Reaching the center, the sight was overwhelming and heart boggling. Families therein included seniors as well as new born. Eyes of seniors on wheelchair were flashing with inquisitiveness as to what supply brought in can fulfill their needs and cute little innocent new born unaware of outer world laid playful in their cribs. Their parents were hoping to be gifted by supplies
