YJ International Newsletter 2004 Vol 18 No 01

Author(s): Young Jains (UK)
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 16

Samayik Shibir
Compiled By Jaineel Shah any of us have come across the Jain ritual of understand the meaning of the prayers and why they "Samayik'. Some dismiss it, thinking of it as are recited. The hall was then filled with melodious
another religious event where you have to sit voices and a jubilant atmosphere was created as around for hours singing and clapping, then reciting three beautiful stavanas were recited. Looking prayers. Well, that's how most Indian rituals are around, you could see everyone singing with rapt viewed so why should this one be viewed differently? devotion. Yes, everyone. It was truly enthralling. Right? There is something very different about Samayik. But what is it? And how is it performed? What good does it do for our day-to-day lives? These questions were answered by the students of Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth, an organisation (started by Veerayatan and Young Jains) striving to educate young children and teenagers about Jainism, teaching the fundamentals of our great religion and the messages bestowed upon us by our Tirthankaras. This event highlighted the importance of Samayik and the effect it can have on us if we practise it regularly.
Children and adults alike gathered at Kingsbury High School on Sunday 9 of November 2003 to participate in the 'Samayik Shibir', where children no older than twelve performed a Samayik. You would have expected a group of half-asleep children at 10 am on a Sunday, sulking at their parents for forcing them into this. Quite the contrary though, it seemed the children had brought their parents! Sitting up wide-awake, and in beautiful voices the group of children recited prayers clearly and beautifully, much to the astonishment (and of course delight) of their parents.
The event began with a brief introduction by Nehul Shah, a teacher at Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth, asking the audience whether they find it difficult to cope at times with their busy schedules: for children - waking up early, going to school, doing homework; for adults - dropping the kids to school, then going to work, taking care of the household and many other duties. Nehul explained the importance of a balanced life, of obtaining equanimity - a task that can be achieved by practicing Samayik on a daily basis. The audience awaited this useful Jain tool to be put into practice.
The Samayik concluded with the fascinating story of Puniya Shravak, one of the ten most revered shravak disciples of Bhagavan Mahavir. This story is a prime example of the karmas that are wiped away with just one samayik. Puniya's samayik was so pure and done with such devotion that it was enough to get rid of thousands of years of hellish torture. On discovering this, King Shrenik, the ruler of the city in which Puniya lived, expressed his desire to purchase one samayik from Puniya Shravak, as this would help him get rid of his pre-destined birth in hell. But how can one purchase a samayik? Bhagavan Mahavir explained to the King that even the wealth of his entire kingdom was insufficient to purchase a Samayik because no wealth or pleasure of this world comes anywhere near the bliss of dwelling within the soul for even a moment, which is an experience that only Samayik can provide, through means of deep meditation. King Shrenik realised the value of samayik; it is something that keeps one away from bad thoughts, like anger, pride, and jealousy and hence saves the soul from countless rebirths.
Students from Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth had prepared a skit illustrating typical and terrible!) teenage life: Mother and son arguing over son's constant careless misplacement of personal belongings. Our beloved PC Netwala (full name Prakash Chandra) from www.google.com then saves the day by explaining the three W's to the troubled teenager - Worship (right faith) Wisdom (right knowledge) and finally Work (right conduct) - the three jewels in Jainism, which, if practised regularly are the key to attaining balance in our turbulent lives.
Only 48 minutes a day has to be taken out of our schedules in order to achieve this balance. Sitting in Samayik enables us to live the life of a Jain sadhu (monk) for 48 minutes, as we do not harm any living beings and through right conduct, we develop inner calmness. Samayik is the first step towards spiritual progress and by practising it; we can get rid of our anger, greed, ego and deceit - the four Kashays, providing with balance in life and making us better people. After the Samayik Shibir Young Jains shared the Jainopoly session. I
The wait was over as the Samayik began. After each prayer, its' meaning was read out by the trainee teachers at Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth and displayed on the projector screen for everybody to read and
16 For Personal & Private Use Only