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The Jain Path, by Aidan Rankin A Review by Atul Shah
huge message for modern fanaticism and totalitarianism, both of the left and the right.
Aidan at Everyday Hero
When he tackles western modes of economy and political organisation, Aidan really comes to life. In Capitalism, he sees an active promotion of greed and subjugation of nature, not only of other living beings but also our own. Possessiveness is a base expression of the self, and the quest for endless economic growth a quest for our own spiritual emptiness and self- destruction. Jains have always emphasised quality over quantity, and the highest quality is the purification of the soul and the attainment of moksha or liberation. Even in the analysis of truth and its multiple facets, there is a constant quest for wisdom rather than a desire for oneupmanship and rational murder of alternative wisdoms and viewpoints. This gives Jainism significant importance as a social and political theory of living and existence. He challenges the commonly held worldviews of dualism and linear progress as compared to the circular and spiral thinking of the Jains which are often set in the context of long time cycles of the universe.
It has taken Aidan years to write this book. He has done his homework patiently and with great care and scholarship. He has praised the faith and justified this through reasoned analysis and comparison with other modes of thinking, belief and action. The words used have been chosen with care and precision, and the prose flows very nicely so even complex ideas appear easy to grasp and interpret. The subject he has tackled is vast and as a first book, a very ambitious one. As a Jain, what I found most impressive was his desire to be authentic to the faith and not to misrepresent it. Of course, I am deeply touched by his flattery, but then he is not doing so to impress on others his ego or scholarly acumen, but instead to share the wisdom that has profoundly influenced him. It is a very timely book in an age of ecological and human stress. Those who choose not to read it, will sacrifice some precious insights of truth and wisdom.■
Education International
Dr. Atul K. Shah is a writer and broadcaster and Chief Executive of Diverse Ethics Ltd. He was also the founder president of Young Jains. (See Presidents' Page). (www.diverseethics.com.).
Aidan Rankin is an author and was recently the keynote speaker at the Young Jains 'Everyday Hero' conference in December, (pictured) where he spoke about Anekantvad.
'The Jain Path - Ancient Wisdom for the West', is published by O Books, Winchester UK and Washington, USA, 2006, 258 pp.
Not To Be Missed - A Jain 'Fun n' Learn' Day
This is an invitation from Shri Chandana Vidyapeeth to all the readers and their family and friends to attend the 'Fun n' Learn' Day on Sunday 4th May 2008 (see details in the advertisement on the next page). Please engage this date right now in your diaries and if need be, reschedule other engagements and free up this day! Bring your friends - they don't have to be Jains!
The day will commence at 10.00 am with several parallel sessions for the adults - you could attend swadhyaya with Pujya Sadhviji Shri Shilapiji, or a workshop where you can participate in discussions or just listen, or you could release your stress practicing Preksha Meditation, or watch a multimedia presentation. Your children will have a choice of activities throughout the day in a dedicated area - art and craft work, stories, songs and poetry reading, games and quizzes. You can surely stay with them in this area if you please, or leave them here under adult supervision; then you can be free to gain benefit from the other activities. Unfortunately, children under the age of five will have to remain with their parents at all times. You will also have an opportunity to see the DVD of the excellent 'Tyagveer Shalibhadra' play (in Gujarati) that the Vidyapeeth staged at Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon, in April 2007. The event is free of charge, and guaranteed to be a superb fun-filled day for the whole family. And you will be treated to some light refreshments to replenish your energy. You will also be learning while having all this fun. All that will remain for you to do after the event will be to ponder on what you have learnt and put it into practice should you choose to do so!
For 139sonal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
