Practice Of Jainism In A Foreign Land

Religion & Society:
Practice Of Jainism In A Foreign Land

by Dr. Duli Chandra Jain

Sejal (16 years): Daddy, it was nice visiting the church and attending the Sunday school.

Father: Well, what did you like about your visit?

Sejal: Both, Anuj (11 years) and I learned many things about other religions.

Mother: What did you learn, Anuj?

Anuj: They said that God forgives our sins and rewards us if we pray to Him.

Father: Some religions ask people to have faith in such things. Sejal and Anuj, do you believe in these teachings?

Sejal: There seems to be no logic to support such ideas. If we do some good or bad things, how can God reward or punish or forgive us? If it were so, why does God make us do bad things in the first place?

Mother: We know that all living beings depend on each other for their survival. However, God is all-knowing, all-powerful. If God runs the universe then He should be able to prevent all bad things from happening to His creation.

Anuj: Mommy, Jainism says that God did not create the universe and that He does not run it. Other religions say something else. I do not know what to believe.

Mother: We have discussed this many times. Jainism says that we should believe in what makes sense.

Sejal: In that case, I would like to accept what modern science says.

Father: That is right. The moon revolves about the earth and the earth revolves about the sun according to the laws of nature. All other things and events follow the laws of nature.

Sejal: Daddy, doesn't Jainism say the same thing?

Father: Yes, certainly.

Anuj: Now I understand what Jainism teaches. Both, Jainism and modern science, say that the universe has been there for all times. It was not created. It runs according to the laws of nature. God did not create the universe and it does not run it. Thus there is no need to believe that God forgives our sins and rewards us for our good deeds.

Sejal: Shouldn't we Jains bring this 'truth' to all people of the world.

Mother: Anuj and Sejal, it is a well-known fact that people all over the world have faith in their respective religions. They believe that their holy books contain the absolute truth. Some believe that one's sins will be forgiven just by accepting their faith and that those who do not accept their beliefs will suffer for all times to come.

We do not have any argument with such people. However, in the zeal to make others accept their faith, various religious groups have committed untold violence on each other. We Jains believe in nonviolence and so we do not indulge in any effort to change others.

Anuj: Daddy, my friend David said that because I do not believe in his God, I will burn in fires of hell. But if I accept his religion, I will go to paradise. Is it right?

Father: Anuj and Sejal, Jainism is somewhat difficult religion to follow in this respect. We know that we are happy when we have good thoughts and feelings, and, we suffer when we have bad thoughts. We should keep our cool even when things do not go as we wish. Jainism is not a religion that forces us to be good for fear of bad things or for the temptation of nice things. We do not follow Jainism for fear of punishment in hell or for attaining good things like heaven. Jainism teaches us to accept responsibility for our thoughts, speech and actions. Our lives are what we think, what we say and what we do. We have to think, speak and act properly to improve our lives.

Anuj: Don't we practice the teachings of Jainism for obtaining good karmas?

Father: If we have good thoughts and feelings, we will naturally obtain good karmas.

Sejal: It is nice to have good thoughts and feelings. But, don't we still have to practice our religion? There is no Jain temple in our town. There is no Jain priest or minister here. How can we practice our religion?

Mother: We have our prayer room. I do prayers, worship and meditation everyday. All of you have seen that I never asked you to join me but you should feel free to do so. Sejal, perhaps your daddy can answer your question in detail.

Father: Sejal and Anuj, your mother is right. It will be good for us to pray, worship and learn more about Jainism. This discussion about the principles of Jainism is part of our religious practice. This is the first step in our practice of Jainism. A Jain temple and scholars will also help. We do not have these things. Still we can practice our religion. Jainism is a philosophy &endash; a unique concept. Accepting this concept is essential to practice Jainism.

Anuj: What is this concept?

Father: Not adopting any idea or practice or custom blindly is a basic teaching of Jainism. Accepting this concept is the second step in our religious practice.

Anuj: Daddy, how can that be?

Father: Jainism teaches us to think and examine everything carefully, and accept only what makes sense to us. We know that when we have good thoughts and feelings, we practice nonviolence towards ourselves, our family members, our friends and other people. Thus the true practice of religion is having good thoughts and feelings. We minimize violence towards other living beings as well. For this reason, we eat healthy vegetarian food. Practicing nonviolence in thought, word and deed is supreme religion. Adopting the five virtues of nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, purity of body and mind, and non-possessiveness with one's own free will is the next step in the practice of Jainism.

Anuj: Aren't the moral teachings of other religions similar to the five virtues taught by Jainism?

Father: Yes, but nobody commands Jains to practice these virtues. Further, we do not practice these virtues with blind faith or with a desire for material gains. We believe that practicing the five virtues brings happiness and peace in our lives. When we do not use our intelligence and do not think independently, we indulge in blind faith. A desire for material gains involves the passion of greed. Our thoughts and actions performed under coercion or on account of passions lead to physical and mental stress.

Sejal: Is that all?

Father: We also do not believe that any ritual can ward off danger, disease or misery. Things like danger, disease and failure are part of our worldly existence. We accept them calmly as facts of life. Understanding and believing in these ideas is also a practice of Jainism.

Sejal: Some people celebrate a mass or a worship. We Jains recite some prayers and perform certain worships. What is the difference?

Mother: There are very important differences between Jain religious practices and the rituals performed by followers of other religions. First, we Jains consider that practice of virtues is the most significant aspect of religion. Second, we do not practice religion for the sake of material goods and comforts. Lastly, Jain prayers and worships make us aware of the principles of Jainism. They also generate good thoughts and feelings.

Anuj: Daddy, what is the problem in adopting customs or practices that are commonly accepted by society? How can they affect our practice of Jainism?

Father: We Jains should not do things just because others do them or others prompt us to do them. We accept or reject a custom or practice to minimize physical and mental violence in our lives. We do things that help us in the practice of the five virtues of nonviolence, truth, non-stealing, purity of body and mind, and non-possessiveness. For example, everybody understands that divorce is bad for family, in general, and for children, in particular, but divorce is commonly accepted by society, Jains should realize that human nature is basically the same. So there should be understanding between individuals &endash; between husband and wife. At the time of marriage, the bride and groom make a commitment to each other. Keeping such commitment is part of our practice of the five virtues. So Jainism does not favor divorce. We should examine other customs and practices in a similar manner before adopting them.

Anuj & Sejal: Today we learned a lot about the basic teachings of Jainism. We should have such discussions more often.