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Multifaith in Interfaith:
Arvinder Jain has represented Jain
Community for more than forty years and more than ten years represented
Jain Ashram in UK. He has worked very closely with Birmingham Council of
Faiths to enhance the awareness of Jain Faith among other faith leaders.
Consequences of this has been that he represented Jain Faith on the
Birmingham SACRE which led to introduction of jain faith been taught in
all Birmingham local education schools which is a real achievement in
itself . Few years back he was a chair person of Birmingham Council of
Faith during which he achieved quiet a few things but two main
outstanding things were creation of website for Birmingham Council of
Faith and getting a new updated constitution for BCF. He believed in a
very good communication among the people concerned and representation
all communities at all levels. New constitution represented all the
faiths in the area and internet has made it possible to connect all
BCF’s work.
Following are the BCF’s aims which we
share and promote:
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Promote awareness of all faiths so
that the followers of one faith may have a better understanding of the
others;
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Maintain harmonious relations and
promote dialogue between the followers of the different faiths within
the city;
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Be
alert to issues of peace, justice, equality and diversity and act as a
public voice on matters of mutual concern to the followers of
Birmingham’s different faiths;
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Interface with interested bodies in
fulfilling these objectives
Faith, Climate Change
and Global Poverty
Arvinder Jain attended the conference arranged by
Friends of the Earth on behalf of Birmingham Council of Faith. The
conference was started by Miss Rianne ten Veen to make everybody aware
how the climate has changed over last 50 years and how poverty has
increased globally and the connection between the two. The idea was to
make people of different faiths to talk to each other and come up with
some suggestion how we can overcome this problem if this is a real
problem. Many people in the conference did not know about the Jain
Faith. So first he had to explain about Jain Faith and then suggest how
Jain Faith can eradicate these problems. If people had stuck to Jain
philosophy these problems would not have occurred.
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Paraspargraho Jivanam – We are all interdependent
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Jains believe that all human beings have a soul and
all souls are equal despite their colour, creed and religion and
nationality.
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Not only human beings but all living beings have a
soul including plants
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Jains also believe that Earth, Fire, Water, Air have
a Kaya. We must not harm any of them as this will cause violence.
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One of the main beliefs of Jain is of Nonviolence by
thoughts, deeds and speech. Although it is impossible to survive
without causing any violence we can minimize the violence as far as
possible to survive.
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We should only take from nature as less as we need to
survive.
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We must not hoard things (Aparigraha)
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We must not
waste water, resources etc as this cause pollution. Eg: Jain monks
never use any transport due to fear of pollution and violence although
they travel thousands of miles in their lifetime barefoot. They only
have two sets of cloths one on their back and one being washed. Their
cloths are washed in minimum water. Monks are allowed to use only half
a bucket of water per day. They take small amount of food from many
houses so that people can afford to give that amount without suffering
themselves. The food which is given in the bowls is then distributed
by the head of the group. All food must be finished at the same time
and not stored as it will grow bacteria. Their bowls are washed and
the water is drunk. They do not use electricity. They are forbidden to
touch any electrical devices.
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Because of our greed, ego and laziness we are
disturbing the nature.
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Although we
can’t live like monks we can strive to follow their lifestyle as much
as possible.
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Water, electricity consumptions-appliances, Developing
countries- scarcity of food , water, and basic needs.
Jainism
Compassionate Living
Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to
liberation and bliss is to live lives of harmlessness and renunciation.
The essence of Jainism is concern for the welfare of every being in the
universe and for the health of the universe itself.
· Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings,
contain living souls. Each of these souls is considered of equal value
and should be treated with respect and compassion.
· Jains are strict vegetarians and live in a way that minimises their
use of the world's resources.
· Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation
- which means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth
so that the immortal soul lives for ever in a state of bliss.
· Liberation is achieved by eliminating all karma from the soul.
· Jainism is a religion of self-help .
· Mahavira is regarded as the man who gave Jainism its present-day form.
About 2500 years Lord Mahavir, the twenty fourth and the last Tirthankar
if this era revived the same philosophy preached by his predecessor Lord
Parshva Nath in India. He expanded the code of conduct and implemented
daily rituals for his followers. The present Jain Scriptures reflect
only his preaching.
· There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings.
Jainism does not believe in creator God, but it is not an atheistic
religion because it believes in many Gods who are self realized
individuals and who have attained liberation. The Jinas that have
established religious order are known as Tirthankars.
· The three guiding principles of Jainism, (the three jewels), are right
belief, right knowledge and right conduct.
· The supreme principle of Jain living is non violence (ahimsa)
· This is one of the 5 mahavratas (the 5 great vows). The other
mahavratas are non-attachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing,
and sexual restraint (with celibacy as the ideal).
· The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas
· Jains are divided into two major sects; the Digambara (meaning "sky
clad") sect and the Svetambara (meaning "white clad") sect
· Jainism has no priests. Jain Monks and Nuns travel by foot only, to
spread the message of Lord Mahavir and have no personal belongings, and
are not allowed to use any transport for fear of causing pollution and
violence.
· The main Jain festivals are Paryushan Parva, Samatsari, Mahavir
Jayanti, Diwali and Das Lakshan etc.The community gather for worship,
sometimes with cultural programme, fasting, prayer for forgiveness from
all the living beings, perform penances, reciting sacred texts,
attending religious discourses, studying scripture, giving alms and
following other act of Compassion.
· More than 80% of Jains believe in worshiping Trithankar idols in
temples. Jain temples are famous for their unique intricate art and
elaborate architecture.
· Jainism started in India and immigration has now given it a foothold
in East Africa, the Middle East, Belgium, UK and USA, and there are
reported to be around 4.2 million throughout the world. (Actual number
is thought to be much higher)
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More information on the BBC website
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