YJA Convention 2002 07 NJ Fifth

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

Page 51

Jain Hip-Hop
Ameet Shah
he Jain Hip-Hop session offers participants the serve as a source of inspiration and strength during
opportunity to learn more about the traditional Jain both periods of happiness and challenges. A restavans and prayers that have been an important part of view of the meanings of popular Jain prayers will Jain reflection for many generations. Along with the rich bring a greater level of understanding and meaning scriptural resources, followers of the Jain philosophy have that will hopefully be transformed into regular reciused art and music to strengthen their belief and devotion tation of these prayers through individual reflection not only to the ideals propagated by the philosophy, but or with a group of peers. This session will combine also to the spiritual leaders who Jains try to emulate in elements of modern background music to help their daily lives. Stavans and stutis represent a form of supplement the singing of these popular stavans. bhakti, or devotion, for Tirthankars and other spiritual leaders who have helped promote Jainism throughout society. Stavans are relatively simple songs that appeal to the masses and lend to the spiritual progress of individuals who focus their attention to the spiritual world while leaving the worries of the material world aside. This session aims to look at the history of music and Jainism and help youth learn not only the transliterations of Jain stavans, but also the translations to help youth learn to sing and understand the meaning behind many inspirational stavans sung by devoted Jain followers.
The singing of stavans is a form of ritual practice that helps followers invoke a spiritual state of mind that helps them focus on the teachings and values fostered by the Jain philosophy. Like many other rituals, stavans and prayers
notes:
50 Jain Education International 2010_03