PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Sadharmik brothers and sisters,
Jai Jinendra!

Recently, two articles 1. Sallekhana by Dr. Shailendra Palviaji 2. Jains and Sikhs Walking Together, by Dr. Harvinder Singh Sahota & Dr. Sulekh C. Jain got published in The South Asian Times. Read both the articles below.

On November 16, 2019, 20 artists collaborated from a wide spectrum of Art at Jain Center of Southern California to showcase their art skills. Read more about it below.

Let us learn what is Kashaya and their different types i.e. Krodh, Mana, Maya, and Lobha.

Sincerely,
Mahesh Wadher
JAINA President

THE ART OF DYING: JAIN PHILOSOPHY OF SALLEKHANA

Here’s a well-researched article on Sallekhana, by Dr. Shailendra Palviaji, which was published recently in The South Asian Times.

Philosophers have differed on the subject of Life after Death or reincarnation. Aristotle holds the scientific version while Plato and his mentor Socrates believed in the religious version.

The scientific premise asserts that after death, there is no life; it ends in eternal oblivion. The religious premise states that the only body perishes, the soul survives forever; the soul has eternal existence through countless cycles of birth and death. Sallekhana is relevant in the context of religious premises due to the implication of afterlife betterment. To read the whole article, click below.

MEDIA COVERAGE: JAINS AND SIKHS WALKING TOGETHER

We are happy to tell you that the article Jains and Sikhs Walking Together, by Dr. Harvinder Singh Sahota & Dr. Sulekh C. Jain is published in The South Asian Times. To read the whole article, click below.

JAIN CENTER NEWS

On November 16, 2019, 20 artists collaborated from a wide spectrum of Art at Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC). The group of artists displayed their Art skills to the community. The event ceremony started with a short prayer by Hansaben Nagda. Rupa Shah introduced the Artists, JCSC President Dr. Modi and the guests of Honor Manubhai and Rikaben of Sarva Mangal Trust. Later, the event included a summary of the annual report of Kala Circle, meet and greet the Artists, interactive activities like paper quilling art, knitting and crochet, rangoli to inspire new, old and revived art skills. Over 350 visitors had a chance to win a prize from the Raffle drawing which were donated items from Artist’s own creations. Light lunch was served by volunteers of Bhojanshala.

KASHAYA

The word Kashaya (passions) can be broken down into kasha, meaning worldly life and aya, meaning gain. Thus the literal meaning of kashaya is to gain worldly life again. This means that as long as we have the kashayas, the cycle of birth and death will continue. There are four types of kashayas namely: Krodha (anger), Maan (ego), Maya (deceit), and Lobha (greed). These four can be grouped into two categories: 1) Rag (attachment), 2) Dwesh (aversion / hatred). Rag is formed from Maya and Lobha, while Dwesh is formed from Krodh and Maan.

Spiritually, our goal should be to get rid of worldly life and become liberated. But, when we grow attachment, hatred or passions for worldly objects, we hinder the spiritual progress of the soul. Until we are under the influence of passions, our intellect becomes irrational, we become vicious by nature. Thus, the passions are the greatest enemies of the soul and we should save ourselves from their influence. Affinity, affection, hostility, dislike, or disgust, etc. all are the roots of passion.

JAIN STORY: BHAGWAM MEMINATH

QUOTE

Souls render service to one another.

- Bhagwan Mahavir

YJP UPDATE

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