YJA Convention 2000 07 LA Fourth

Author(s): Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA

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Know that the world is uncreated, as time itself is without beginning and end, and is based on the [Seven] Tattvas, Jiva and the rest.
Uncreated and indestructible, it endures under the compulsion of its own nature, divided into three sections - Hell, the Middle World, and the Heavens.
From the essay "Jainism Not An Atheism" by Herbert Warren
Now let us see whether the qualities of creating and ruling can be attributed to Deity without impairing His other qualities, or whether attributing those qualities to the Deity involves contradictions and defects, without contributing to the virtuous conduct of man and to his salvation....
Perfection and all-happiness must be attributed to Deity; and being thus perfect and happy, he could not wish to create a world, for a desire to create a world would indicate a want in a Deity, and a want is not consistent with the idea of perfection. Thus by attributing creation to Deity the qualities of perfection and happiness are destroyed.
Further, it is admitted that ordinary living beings suffer pain and misery, and that salvation from these pains and miseries can be obtained by obeying the precepts of God as given to the world [i.e... through his rulership]. But creating souls and bringing them into the pains and miseries of the world and then afterwards giving them precepts, by acting upon which, they can release themselves from these pains and miseries, is not an act of wisdom; for an omniscient and almighty being, who should put a thing into an unsatisfactory condition and then give it rules for its betterment, could not be called wise and
benevolent.
Again, an omniscient being has no need of testing anybody or anything to see what it will do; and if it be said that God put souls into this world to see which of them would obtain salvation and which would not, then the omniscient quality of the Deity is destroyed.
To attribute creation to Deity is not consistent with goodness, because with a perfectly good creator there would be no evil or impurity in his creation; no worldly ruler desires bad acts to be committed in his country, but worldly rulers are not omniscient and omnipotent, and they cannot therefore prevent such acts from being committed in their kingdoms; but Deity is to be considered as perfectly powerful and benevolent as well as omniscient, and therefore no evil deeds could be committed if Deity is the creator of the world, for he would not give his creatures the power of committing such deeds....
One great argument put forward in support of the belief that there must be a creator and ruler of the universe, is the fact of system and order in the processes of nature, and also the fact of beauty, it being maintained that these are the evidence of intelligence. However, it is not correct to say that there are only beauty and order in the world; for there are also disorder and ugliness. If it be said that storms, earthquakes and diseases are sent by God for some beneficial object that he has in view, then obviously this view is taken at the expense of either the quality of benevolence or the quality of omnipotence, for were God both benevolent and omnipotent, such injury and inconvenience would not be allowed to exist....
The next consideration is with regard to the belief in a creator contributing to the virtuous conduct of man and to his salvation. To worship a creator does not necessarily contribute to virtuous conduct or lead to salvation, the final goal of life (Moksha). There are five salient principles of virtuous conduct which are recognized by most religions. They are: not to kill or hurt any living being, that is to say, to live and lel live; not to tell falsehoods, that is to say, to be truthful; not to steal, bu to be honest; not to commit adultery, but to control the sex passion and, finally, detachment form worldly objects and sensual pleasures. Now, the belief in a God who is regarded as creator leads men to think that God has created all things for man's use and so he indulges in the free use of such things as meat and wine.... Further, it is agreed by most religions that for the attainment of salvation it is necessary to control the passions and desires, and to sever one's worldly connections; and people who believe God to be a creator argue that, as God has given them these passions and desires, why should man try to suppress them, and having been sent into the world, why should man try to sever his connection with it or live an unworldly life? So that, it is obvious that the worship of God as creator does not necessarily lead to a virtuous life or to salvation. Thus...Jains do not attribute to Deity the quality of being creator, but regard God as a pure and perfect being, omniscient, happy...and eternal, who neither creates other things or beings, nor rewards, nor punishes.
CONSIDERING THE PATH TO A CAREER IN MEDICINE
presented by Vijay Mehta
Aren't dissections required for pre-medical course completion? Are the overall modern treatments for patients in line with Jain principles? What about the common use of meat products like gelatin in many medicines? The remedies found in modern medicine are often the results of animal research, so how can a person ever conscientiously promote them?
So, you want to be a doctor?
Last year, out of a nationwide pool of 41,000 applicants to medical school, only 16,000 were fortunate to gain admission. Coming from experience as a member of a certain medical school's admissions committee, this seminar aims to help prospective applicants attain their personal goals.
While a student's MCAT score and GPA do play major roles in the admission process, there is a great deal of misconception about the actual selection process. We will explore many ways to improve one's chances. This seminar is useful to seniors in high school and to those already applying.
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