Question

Could you live as a Jain in America today. Not as vowed religious, but as a householder or a single person? If yes, HOW...If no, WHY NOT. Could you practice Ahimsa, total non violence?

Answer 1

Jainism

Virachand Gandhi was officially the first Jain delegate to visit the United States, and represented Jainism in the first ever Parliament of World Religions in 1893.He is considered a key figure in the history of American Jainism as the first practicing Jain to speak publicly in the United States about Jainism.

Off course Jain can live in america where is the problem, One third of the Jains living outside of India live in the United States, aproximation are 1,10,000. In Belgium they are estimated to be around about 1680 people.The majority live in Antwerp, in 2006 there are around 25,000 Jains in the United Kingdom. Jains share common centers that integrate a variety of communities beyond these historic identity markers. Some centers even share space with Hindu communities. Jains are further unified by umbrella organizations such as The Federation of Jains in North America. The social engagement is also reflected in U.S. Jain education. The tradition of pathsalas, or religious learning schools, reflect modern Jain ideals in which Jain children fuse classical narratives with experimental practices.

Practicing Ahimsa is not that much easy but one can perform it by understanding how non-violence can manifest in our lives each day, we must first learn how subtle daily actions and responses contain elements of violence. This often happens against ourself. When our thoughts contain negative responses like disappointment, resentment, or guilt, when we feel shame, we are subtly creating violence. If you can’t forgive someone for something they’ve done against you, or if you can’t forgive yourself for something you’ve done, this is an act of violence because it pushes love away. Expecting too much of yourself and putting all responsibility in your own hands is a type of violence too, as is expecting that the world will run according to your design. You’re being violent towards yourself and the world at large with these kinds of mindsets.

---------------------------------------END---------------------------------------------