YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

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

Page 31

Breaking the Superficial Barrier
San Diego Youth Group
Jalking down the street on a beautiful autumn day in You understand that being materialistic will ultimately
Malibu, you chance upon a rare find. The most cause you to become reclusive. Nobody likes a selfgorgeous, DKNY sports coat ever imaginable! You bust absorbed person, and by putting material out your wallet and prepare to hand the saleswoman your possessions higher on your "to-do" list than being a credit card when all of a sudden you blink. And it's gone. moral and Jain person, you will eventually alienate The sports coat of your dreams gone forever because those around you. some fool was carrying cash in his pocket. So what do you do? Well, a normal person would jump up and down Jainism helps you minimize your materialistic desires wishing for gravity to collapse at just that time and place in the reduction of what you already have. By so he could end the pain and suffering. But you - you're donating five of your t-shirts, you are able to benefit different.
others and learn that you can get by on ten shirts
alone. The most important aspect of Jainism is that You're Jain. And being Jain you have learned that it relates to self-control. But you already know that, Aparigraha, or non-attachment, helps us limit our right? Or at least you do now. materialistic desires. By first reducing our desires for things, we are able to practice Samyan, self-control. We You were trained and taught by the best. At the 2002 have realized that we don't need the name brand shirt YJA Convention you learned that possession is not and that a Civic is just as good as the BMW in that it as bad as attachment. You conquered tough serves the purpose for which we "need" it. And even if questions like, "If parents can afford a car but can everyone else is driving a Beamer, and you feel the get by with one, should they buy another one for pressure to get one, you are now enlightened enough to their teen." You learned about needs and wants and realize that Jainism focuses on the individual. We control how to tell the difference. You now know that when our own path, and what we choose to do is ultimately for we give up logic possession becomes a part of us. the betterment of our own self.
So what do you do? You tip your hat to the saleswoman and walk away whistling your favorite tune.
notes:
30 Januatoriemaat 20
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