Inspiration
Lecture recap: Young Jain taking Diksha
This past weekend YJA Board Member, Parag Parekh, attended Bhavesh Bhai Shah’s lecture in Queens. Bhavesh is a young jain who is taking Diksha very soon.
I asked Parag to share his thoughts on how the lecture went and what he took away from it:
Parag Parekh, Director of Events:
This past Sunday, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Bhavesh Bhai, who is taking Diksha at the young age of 21, speak. Bhavesh Bhai’s discussion included topics such as the meaning of Jainism and being a Jain, the rationale for doing a saymik, and the rationale for the way we do puja, which I had no idea about before. In explaining the rationale behind how we do puja, he discussed, for example, we do puja to the toe as symbol of bowing for atonement. I was able to learn new ideas about Jainism, though that wasn’t the main reason why I went to his discussion. I wanted to know what could have made a 21 year old man want to give up everything and live the life of a monk.Bhavesh Bhai was always a studious scholar of Jainism. When he informed his family of his intentions, his family was naturally surprised and took him out to see what he would miss out on if he followed through. Seeing what he may miss out on just strengthened his intent to take Diksha and this is what got to me. How can a 21 year old, who has his whole life ahead of him, just give up all worldly possessions and his life in order to live the life of a monk? It requires such a strong will and dedication that it makes fasting look like child’s play. Hearing him speak about taking Diksha put many things in perspective. Owning and trying to obtain the latest stuff isn’t much of a priority anymore, especially after you hear someone your age willing to give up everything for the sake of religion. The biggest piece of advice I took back was to stay strong in my beliefs, especially during times when it is rough, because ultimately faith and patience are rewarded.
Well said Parag and thank you for sharing.
Peace Through Friendship
Nitin Talsania, YJA mentor and adviser, forwarded me this great article by Father Carlos G. Valles. Father Valles is a writer, change agent and also a dear friend to many Jains around the world. When I heard him speak for the first time, at the a past JAINA Convention, I remember getting goosebumps from his touching speech on Anekantavada.
Peace Through Friendship, by Father Carlos G. Valles
Chesterton tells the story of a Catholic family that came to live in a Protestant neighborhood. The Protestant neighbors frowned when passing in front of their house and said under their breath, “God knows what they must be eating in there!” One morning a Protestant boy had to knock at their door to retrieve a ball that had strayed inside. He saw the family at the breakfast table eating, came out clutching the ball and shouting through the street, “They are eating porridge! They are eating porridge!” He was excited and happy that just like any other British family they too were eating porridge.
Prejudices grow through lack of contact. We may live in the same neighborhood, but if we don’t mingle we don’t know each other, and we nurse all kinds of fantasies and falsities and distortions of reality about each other. In India I heard this phrase from Hindu friends referring to some fine Muslim acquaintance of theirs: “He is such a good person that he couldn’t possibly be a Muslim!” That is a compliment for that Muslim person, and a slur on their religion. I also remember what was lovingly said to me in playful jest: “You are such a nice person that you couldn’t possibly be a Christian!” I had smiled. I knew that it is only when we meet face to face that prejudices can be dissolved and friendship born.
I count myself fortunate that, my first Indian friend in Vallabh Vidyanagar University (Anand) where I went to learn the Gujarati language, was a Jain. A fellow student and fellow boarder in the hostel,he was Harkishan Becharlal Shah from Khambhat. Thus my first contact with Jainism was through a person, not through a book. That made all the difference. Harkishanbhai brought to me the living practice of Jainism from the direct, simple, devout, standpoint of a Jain lay person. He didn’t prefer go to the cinema. I asked him why. He answered, giving me his life principle I have remembered to this day: “If I can do without something, I don’t go for it.” Jain wisdom in a nutshell. He explained to me the idea of Paryushan, as he was observing fast those holy days. At that time I had no idea I would be giving talks to Jains at the Paryushan in Mumbai in the years to come. My first talk in Mumbai was presided over by the then member of the Indian delegation to the UN, Chimanbhai Chakubhai Shah. It was later explained to me that he had been chosen for my talk so that with his knowledge, his wisdom, and his diplomacy he could correct any errors I might make being new to Jainism. We became lifelong friends.
Official dialogue between followers of different religions is fundamental for mutual understanding and for world peace it has to flower into personal friendship. That is the message.
“O, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,
till earth and sky stand presently at God’s great judgement seat.
But there is neither East nor West nor border, breed or birth
when two brave men stand face to face though, they come from the ends of the earth.”
(Rudyard Kipling).
Kimmie Weeks, 2007 Brick Award Winner
I, and the entire YJA Board, would like to congratulate friend, mentor and change agent Kimmie Weeks for winning this year’s 2007 Brick Award for Global Change.
Kimmie is the founder of Youth Action International. YAI works with children in war torn countries in Africa, providing them with infrastructure and medical attention to help them create a new possibility.
I was fortunate to have been befriended by Kimmie in high school just after he was forced to flee his war torn nation of Liberia. At the young age of seventeen Kimmie experienced the effects of war first hand when his government tried to assassinate him for a report he issued on its involvement in the training of child soldiers. Kimmie was give political asylum in the United States and has been on a powerful mission since - to make sure future generations live a better life.
Kimmie’s commitment, amongst a tough journey, has been very strong. For this reason his work has impacted and will continue to impact many lives around the world.
Congratulations Kimmie! You are a true inspiration.
Related
- Kimmie Weeks in Uganda
- Kimmie Weeks on Facebook
About Jain Diaries
Jain Diaries is a blog by YJA about Peace, Compassion, and having a good time. Written and edited by youth just like you. Enjoy!