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SECOND PLACE
Our heritage, culture, and roots are often elucidated through the multiple perspectives we encounter on a daily basis and have idiosyncratic responses for each individual. Some define it through the foods they consume, the clothes they wear, the language they speak, etc.; however, to me as a Jain, roots aren't defined merely through materialistic possessions, but rather the morals sermonized through Bhagwan Mahavir and the values concealed in our Agams.
From my approach, our lives are metaphorical to a tree -- we grow where we are planted, extend towards a certain direction based on our surroundings, and strengthen based on the nutrients that we are fed. Similar to the phototropism of a plant, we tilt towards brightness in our lives and tend to prioritize it over the negative aspects. We do this by swaying our very existence to match our environment, but if we want to remain true to Samyak Charitra, we must keep our feet planted in same ground we started in: those are our roots. This can only be preceded by the Samyak Gyan and Samyak Darshan which we have been nurtured with from our surroundings.
As the Shad Dravyas mention, our universe undergoes through constant paryay (change), and our society is a glimpse at this truth. Living in America, we are encompassed by a variety of mentalities and often struggle as we can't decide the correct direction to go in. Through experience of High school, Collage, and life in general, we have to stay connected through these roots and only absorb the behaviors that our Jain teachings approve.
As a young Jain, the benefits of staying connected to our Jain societies and communities are limitless, but the importance of spreading this teaching to those surrounding us must be accentuated upon as well. Although reaching the ultimately quintessential persona of a Jain is nearly impossible, we as the Jain future can exhibit concepts such as ahimsa through our daily behavior. Not only would this allow us to express beliefs gleaned by our ancestors, but it will also allow us to spread karuna or compassion to our society by continuing to practice trad -itions that connect us to the fundamental property of what it means to be a Jain.
As I progress through my journey of life, I also want to remember the spiritual Journey and Gunasthans as well. I portray and stay attached through my Jain roots through practices which are both internal and external. We can practice Paryushan, do Samayik to contemplate on our soul, and most of all remember our goal, which is attaining Moksh. Time can be taken out out of our busy teen lifes to just remember and introspect upon our actions and look toward ways of improvement as self-realization is a vital part of being a true Jain.
Rhea Mistry, 15 Richmond, TX
30 2018 YJA CONVENTION | CHICAGO, IL
