JAI JINENDRA! Welcome to the Young Jain Professionals (YJP) newsletter. YJP’s mission has always been to increase the awareness and understanding of Jain principles and heritage in our daily lives by connecting young Jain professionals. YJP is broadening its reach throughout North America by promoting new initiatives and inviting all young Jain professionals to actively contribute their creative energy and ideas.
Read on to find out how you can become involved at all levels!
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
. 2011 Events…………………………...... 2 . Announcements & Stay Informed.…………….3
. Jain Mentorship Program & JAINA Convention……..……………………………….4 . Recipes…………………………………………..5 . A Feminine Aspect of Jainism……...... 7
. Book Review……………………………………11
PUBLISHED & EDITED BY: NIVEA KOTHARI APRIL 2011
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2011 events: YJP Events in Northeast:
April: April 16: Social Lunch in Edison, New Jersey at Sankalp Restaurant April 22: Social Dinner in New York City at Rohm Thai
May: May 20: Dinner & Karoke in DC at Spice Xing Restaurant
June: Computer classes for the elderly will be initiated with the help of JIVA in NY’s Jain Center of America. Details will follow in the next newsletter.
YJP Events in Midwest:
March: March 26: Day Camp & Night Lock In – One day Shibir with lots of spiritual, general, & fun activities held at Jain Center of Metropolitan Chicago. Please visit www.jsmconline.org for more information Mid-March: Project Green – It was started by the JSMC. The objective of this project is to find a low cost method to turn left over food from events at the temple and turn it into manuevar so that it can be used for other purposes so that no food will go to waste. It will be starting in mid-March and will be ongoing. If you are interested in helping out, please email Paras Parikh at [email protected].
April: April 10: Karma Kitchen - This was a joint event that YJP will be donating their time to this organization. We are hoping to helping out once a month at Karma Kitchen. If you are interested in helping out at Karma Kitchen, please email Paras Parikh at [email protected].
August: Young Jains Convention in Midwest - Convention will be taking place in Chicago and will require tremendous work. This convention will provide the opportunity for those attending to network with other Jains in the Midwest region as well as hear from speakers regarding some of the modern day thoughts influencing Young Jains in America. If you are interested in attending, please email Paras Parikh at [email protected].
Upcoming Events: Horizons For Youth - This local organization works with inner city youth to help educate them and provide mentors to the youth to help develop a sense of community and friendship in a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" type of relationship. We will be coordinating with this local organization in upcoming events. If you are interested in helping out, please email Paras Parikh at [email protected].
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YJP Events in Canada:
August 1 to 5: There will be a camp in Ontario, Canada this summer. They are looking for volunteers between the ages of 16 to 25 to help with the camp. There is a form on the website. For more information about the summer camp, please visit the website: http://towardahimsa.com.
Pictures of the events are posted online: o YJP website: http://www.yjponline.org o YJP Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/yjponline?v=photos
Announcements:
YJP Needs You!!
You A young, Jain professional, either a college graduate or working full-time, who is interested and passionate about learning about Jainism, and working with other Jains though social and community service events.
Us A young, dynamic organization that strives to provide innovative, interactive events, resources, and forums to bring out the Jain in you!
YJP Is Your Organization! It's through the collective efforts of its members who share their passion, interests, and skills that YJP continues to grow. Play your part in the future of YJP!
Join YJP and get involved as an Executive Committee member!
Positions Include:
o Southwest Regional Coordinator o West Regional Coordinator
If you are interested in working with us and filling the open positions, please send an email to [email protected].
Stay Informed:
Become YJP member at: http://www.yjponline.org (Be sure to choose "Young Jain Professionals” as the Member Type) YJP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18312282928 YJP on Twitter: http://twitter.com/YJPOnline
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Jain Mentorship Program (JMP) & JAINA CONVENTION:
Regional Director Position:
Jain Mentorship Program (JMP) is looking for someone for the Regional Director position immediately.
The responsibilities for the Regional Director position include: Communicating with the assigned mentors & mentees Attending conference calls
If you are interested in being a Regional Director, please email Jain Mentorship Program at jaina[email protected] by May 6th.
Please provide your name, cell phone number, and email address.
Volunteers Needed for the JAINA Convention:
Jain Mentorship Program is organizing couple of sessions at this year’s JAINA Convention. We need volunteers to help out at the convention for the sessions.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email Jain Mentorship Program at [email protected].
Please provide your name, email address, and cell phone number.
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VEGETARIAN RECIPES
Chili Baby Corn:
Ingredients: . 30 ounces of baby corn, cut into 1” pieces . 4 tsp soy sauce . 2 tsp vinegar . 2 tbsp corn flour dissolved in 10 tbsp water . 1 tbsp brown sugar . 1 large green pepper . 3 tbsp ketchup . 2 tsp chili paste (or to taste) . Salt to taste . 4 tbsp oil . ¼ cup of water Marinade (marinate baby corn for 10 minutes): . Pinch of black pepper . Salt to taste . 2 tbsp corn flour + few tbsp of water (enough for the marinade to coat the baby corn)
Directions: 1) Once the baby corn has been marinating for 10 minutes, heat the oil in a flat pan and place the coated baby corn pieces into the pan to fry till brown. Flip to brown the other side. Remove baby corn and set aside. 2) Use the left over oil and sauté the sliced green peppers for about three minutes. 3) Next add the chili paste, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and stir. 4) Add the baby corn and toss for about a minute. 5) Add ½ cup of water and adjust salt at this point. 6) Add the corn flour water and stir for about three minutes, the mixture should become thicker. Serve! (Picture below shows a green onion garnish)
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Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
Ingredients: 1 bunch of cilantro ½ tsp cumin ½ fresh jalenpno Either ½ tbsp of honey or sugar ¼ cup of lime juice 2 tbsp of olive oil Dash of salt Optional: 1 tbsp of peanut butter
Directions:
1. Blend all the ingredients together. Add olive oil to reach your desired consistency. 2. Use in your salad with lettuce, black beans, corn, tortilla chips, tomatoes, and cheese.
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A Feminine Aspect of Jainism
By Riddhi Shah
Jainism is a religion that began in Ancient India in 3000 BCE, and identifies that there is no distinction between the soul of a man and woman in attaining nirvana, a state of being free from suffering or dukkha (Desai, 2009). By following the five virtues of nonviolence (ahimsa), truth (satya), non-stealing (achaurya), purity of body and mind (brahmacharya), and non- possessiveness (aparigrah) one can attain liberation. These codes of ethics are equal for men and women. In Jainism both men and women are supposed to follow their roles in helping one another, working for the welfare of all humanity, and protecting the environment. Each individual is responsible for his or her own moral conduct or karma (Swamiji, 2011).
I believe all of the major world religions deprecate women to some degree. Biblical tradition has that women are blamed for the original sin. It’s been said it was all Eve’s fault that
Adam deceived in the first place. Women can redeem themselves by having children and submitting. “Women are evil, shameful, weak, and unclean…better to be seen and not heard”
(Wellman). This is apparent in some groups of Judaism. In certain areas of Christianity women are unable to enter the priest hood, and in order to introduce female priesthood a “New
Revelation as powerful as the Revelation of the New Testament is needed, and the creation of a
New Testament Church” (Women and the Priesthood).
I wonder if this same belief applies to our religion as well. The research led me to articles titled “Jainism is considered a religion of equal rights” by Shree C. K. P. Swamiji and
“Women in Jain Religion” by Dr. Kumarpal Desai. Both of these articles discuss the difficulties the women have attaining liberation.
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According to Desai (2009), even though there is no distinction between man and woman on the spiritual plane; however, there are several difficulties for women obtaining liberation. The
Digambar sect believes woman must be reborn as a man before they can attain true deliverance.
For example, they believe Mallinath was male, born to King Kumbha Raja and Queen Prabhavati
Rani at Mithila in the Ikshvaku Klan. On the other hand, Swetambara believes, she was female.
Mallinath is an only female to become a Tirthankar during the present age. It’s a rare thing that woman can be enlightened and, even rarer that she can become a God because Jainism has strict conventions.
Another example of distinction between men and women is set by Bhavgan Mahavira.
His life shows followers of the religion on how to achieve perfection. For instance, he sets an example for the monks to go nude, a way to rid of attachments and desires to one’s soul.
However, women cannot walk around uncovered. In fact, they were banned from such acts in public. The belief is that if women were to be exposed, she will ignite sexual desires in men; hence, diverting liberation for women. Furthermore, they would feel ashamed and be denied holy deliverance.
In addition, women are considered to be harmful by nature. During their menstrual time, they are considered to be impure in several Jain texts. In India, even today during this time they are perceived to be untouchables. The menstruation is thought to kill micro-organisms in the body, making the female body “less non-violent” than the male body (Swamiji, 2011). Once again women are rejected holy deliverance because she breaks one of the main principles of
Jainism, ahimsa.
As previously stated, one of the virtues to attaining liberation is non-attachment to the people and materials. Gautam Swami was one of the disciples of Bhavgan Mahavira and closest
Page 8 to him. Gautam Swami was preparing for yagna (a holy sacrifice) with his 500 disciples. One day, Gautam Swami asks Bhavgan Mahavira, “Why have I not been enlightened yet?” To attain a complete enlightenment, one has to let go of all the earthly possessions and attachment.
Gautam Swami could not because he idolized Bhavgan Mahavira; when time came for Bhavgan
Mahavir to attain nirvana, he sent Gautam Swami away, and then Gautam Swami attained enlightenment. As women, we are obliged to take care of children and our parents and family; therefore, we will always be attached to the earth, never really being able to be truly free from earthly bonds.
As can been seen Jainism is considered a religion of equal rights; however, women are unable to become liberated themselves. What is the purpose of being enlightened, when one cannot take care of their loved ones? I truly believe a woman achieves enlightenment, when she fulfills her duties to her children, parents, and loved ones. This reminds me of a poem written by unknown author, “Why God Gave Women Tears.” The poet in voice of God explains the nature of women, “I gave her [women] the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her man through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.”
Works Cited
Desai, Kumarpal . "Women in Jain Religion." Jainism Articles and Essa y s. Blogspot, 31 Aug 2009. Web. 9 Apr 2011.
"Mallinath ." Wi kipe dia . N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr 2011.
Swamiji, C.P.K. "Jainism is considered a religion of equal rights." PeaceNext: Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions. BlogSpot, 28 Feb
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2011. Web. 9 Apr 2011.
Wellman , Jackie . "Women in Religion." eZine Articles . N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr 2011.
"Women and the Priesthood." Orthodoxy and the World . N.p., 09 Feb 2009. Web. 15 Apr 2011.
Page 10 Book Review by Monal Mehta
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by internationally renowned author, Salman Rushdie, is a curious blend of a politically charged fable mixed with a children’s bedtime story feel. Published in 1990, it came just after his fatwa following the release of the controversial, The Satanic Verses, as a dedication to his young son, who claimed that Rushdie never wrote books a child could read.
Although written in the style of a bedtime tale, this book is far from being child’s play- the plots within a plot, complexity of characters and blend of Hindi/Urdu words into telltale names make this book necessary to read several times to grasp it in its entirety. It opens with a family in a made-up country and focuses around a young boy, named Haroun and his story- telling father, Rashid. When Haroun’s mother leaves the family to have an affair with the neighbor, Rashid is no longer able to tell stories for his livelihood and Haroun is left with an attention span of no longer than eleven minutes, no matter the task at hand. What ensues is a magical journey through the Lands of Gup and Chup, in order to fight off an evil nemesis who is trying to poison and destroy the Ocean of the Stream of Stories which are produced in the land of Gup and restore Rashid’s storytelling abilities. The various characters Haroun and the reader, meet along the way, such as the Chupwalas, Prince Bolo, the evil Khattam-Shud, Mudra the shadow warrior, and Blabbermouth, render themselves in the reader’s mind and make it easy to get caught up in the magical weave of stories Rushdie blends together.
Readers will find this book different from Rushdie’s other novels which generally tend to be ominous and foreboding. While the climax of this story is built up well, it is clear from the beginning that this will have a happy ending and all characters will get what they deserve. Each protagonist is well fleshed out and the familiarity breeds a sense of “I know someone like that”. The story also combines elements of commonplace life with a far-fetched imagination, taking the reader for a loop and forcing one to re-examine the context of their own relationships. The reader can choose what depth of analysis they wish to take away from it- a quick read makes for a fun story, and a more careful scrutiny of the plot and characters could reveal a lot of political and personal tensions one tends to see in everyday situations. On the whole, I would give this unique Salman Rushdie story 4 out of 5 stars!
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