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Young Jains South – 6 months on...
Compiled By Umesh Parekh & Krishna Shah oung Jains South London Team has got off to a vegetarian and practising ahimsa meant and how important a superb start, with the support of Shree Chandna vegetarian lifestyle is to the animals that are being kept so
Vidyapeeth, Gujrati Classes and the Community and cruelly. is now gearing up for the remainder of the year. By the time
The scenes from the video and the talk invoked many you read this article the team will have hosted 'TTM2 -
thoughts and feelings in everyone. A very emotive and What's the Big Deal?' on 11 July. This event has already been held in North London, delivered by the Jain Jedi
compelling question and answer session followed in which Knights. By bringing it to South London it will also give
everyone was able to appreciate the real difficulties of being
vegetarian in the society today and express their own everyone a flavour of the convention, Tasting The Mango 2
feelings about what they had seen and heard. The impact of - the Next Slice! that is taking place on 3-5 September. The
vegetarianism on our moral beliefs was also an issue of great Picnic on 25 July, will be bringing both North and South
interest and dilemma. The powerful questions flowed and Young Jains together and should be great fun.
allowed vegetarianism to be explored through the Jain Future events still being planned in the South, include: perspective by both adults and the younger participants. • Young Jains Students - Aug
Vegetarianism is very important in Jainism and how it • Young Jains International Convention - Sept
reflects our beliefs about soul, karma and reincarnation Paryushan Parva - Sept
were a hot topic of discussion. Of course vegetarianism is a Raas Garba - Oct
only a part of the practise of ahimsa, since in Jain tradition Diwali, Mahavir Bhagwan's Moksha Kalyanak - Nov
ahimsa extend to non-violence in thought and speech, as Crisis at Christmas - Dec
well as physical action. This directly stems from the The YJ South team is composed of about 16 people aged
understanding that all living beings are soul, that any kind of from 16 to 50, all with plenty of enthusiasm. Not only are
harm to another soul, is harm to your own soul, due to the
karma that you bind, which then keeps you in the cycle of they having fun planning and running the events, they are
birth and death, hence denies you the bliss of moksha. also learning vital skills in working as a team, managing meetings and furthering their knowledge and understanding The event concluded with light refreshments - pure Jain of Jain Dharma.
vegetarian of course - and an ideal opportunity for everyone The Team is very keen to get more people involved and
to reflect on what they had heard. The atmosphere during would be very happy to hear from anyone who is
the event was very encouraging and full of enthusiasm. interested. They are especially looking for people within the
Everyone was left with positive comments and a lot of food 20 - 35 age group. If you are interested or know of anyone
for thought! (Sorry, couldn't resist the pun). who could be then please contact Shrikesh Malde (Secretary) on 020 8677 1838.
Mahavir Bhagwan's Janma Kalyanak
Vegetarianism
word that conjures up many images. What do you think of when you hear the word, vegetarianism?
Grains, lentils and greens? For everyone who attended our second YJ South event, a talk on vegetarianism presented by Nitin Mehta (of Young Indian Vegetarians), you will know that vegetarianism is not just about what we eat. Vegetarianism is a way of life. Along with not eating meat, fish or eggs, vegetarians practise ahimsa (nonviolence) through everything they do. Vegetarians do not accept any products tested on animals such as soaps and even medicines, where it can be avoided. They do not accept anything made from animal products or animal skins, such as watches with a leather strap, leather shoes or belts. How to implement our non – violent, vegetarian ideas in our everyday life were explained through a mix of different examples and viewpoints. This was followed by a video demonstrating the harsh, animal cruelty that would be condoned through a nonvegetarian lifestyle. Scenes of slaughter houses, new born chicks having their beaks cut and animals being deprived of sufficient and adequate food and living space and conditions, shocked and appalled all who watched. These animals were being reared for their meat and eggs and then being left to die when they could no longer produce what was necessary. Their poor treatment reminded everyone what being
ahavir Janma Kalyanak was celebrated by Young Jains South on 3 April 2004. This consisted of a cast of children from Shree Chandana Vidyapeeth (SCVP
South London) and the Gujarati School. Also attendees from the Adult Class of SCVP joined in. The event was a real family affair.
Approximately two hundred people attended the event in all, which consisted of: • The Dreams of Queen Trishala, before Mahavir
Bhagwan was born, heralding that a great son was to be born to Queen Trishala and King Siddhartha Celebration of Mahavir Bhagwan's birth upon Mt Meru
Dramatised scenes from Mahavir Bhagwan's Life • Aarti and various songs and dances performed by the
children, culminating with a raas garba with everyone
joining in making it a real celebration The whole team had a great time preparing for the event and making it happen, they all got a real buzz from putting on such a big event.
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