- Ahimsa and Anekantavad: Ahimsa is the main principle of Jainism. Some people consider Anekantvaad to the main principle, but that is not correct - Ahimsa is the main principle of Jainism.
- Anekantvaad: Anekantvaad is misinterpreted by many people. Some people think everything is justified because it is considered correct by someone or the other. This is not right. The concept of Anekantvaad is not that there is no truth but that truth is complicated. The doctrine arose to explain that the existents in Jainism (soul, matter, and non-material substance), cannot be known except by kevali because all aspects of Dravya, Guna, and Paryaya, cannot be known. Gary explained it by the example of Gold, and how this concept came to counter arguments of Sankhyamata and Buddhism. Moreover, Anekantavada is a doctrine that derives from Ahimsa, not the other way around. I was impressed after listening to the real concepts of Jainism from an American.
- Connection in Jainism and Christianity: Gary talked about the great concepts told by Jesus Christ- 'Love thy neighbour' etc. And explained that such concepts were foreign to the prevailing views when Jesus lived. Jainism is the only religion in the East which had similar concepts and he was convinced that Jesus must have had some interaction with Jains and that's how many of these these great concepts came to the West in the name of 'Christianity'.
- Karma and helping others: Gary talked about that Karma theory does not prohibit us from helping others. We can not say that others are suffering because of their Karma and we do not need to help them. He supported helping others and I was amazed to see that he supported his argument from scriptures of both Digamber and Shwetamber tradition- Panchastikaya, Tatvaarth Sutra and an Aagam granth (forgot the name).
- Donation and Recognition: Gary pointed out that in the West people donate but do want to have recognition, while in Jainism it is recommended to donate and not satisfy our Maan Kashaya by getting recognition. This reminded me of the Sholaka in Tatvaarth Sutra- One donates to get rid of greed and help others. Also a phrase prevalent in my hometown Saharanpur for anonymity during donation: जब दान एक हाथ से दे, तो दूसरे हाथ को भी पता नहीं पङना चाहिये कि दान दिया (When one donates by one hand, his other hand should not get to know that the donation has been done.) Actually it applies not to just donation, but any good thing we do- we should keep it to ourselves and not seek recognition.
- Taking Milk is Himsa: Gary explained how milk and milk related products case huge sufferings and killing of cows and should be avoided completely by Jains. In early days (3000 years back), there could be a possbility of not having Ahimsa in taking milk (although he doubted it), but taking milk in USA and anywhere else causes certain Himsa to 5 sensed beings and should be 100% avoided by the Jains. I could not agree more, and also stopped eating milk and Ghee for now, and vowed myself to buy only organic
- Gary said Micchami Dukkadam many times and emphasized that he was very concerned as a non-Indian about not offending Jains when he talked about Jain concepts.
I was impressed by the knowledge of Gary about Jainism, considering that he is an American and still learnt so much about Jainism. However I was unsure about his point of connection between Christianity and Jainism and finally got around 1 hour to talk to him on the lunch table. Parag Ji, Mahavir Ji were also there and following points were discussed:
- Christianity and Jainism: I did talk to him how he felt that compassionate words of Jesus were influenced by only Jainism and why not by Hinduism/Buddhism, which also had elements of compaasion and nonvoilence. Gary replied that the way love is explained by Jesus is only found in Jainism. Hinduism and Buddhism associate our actions with Ahimsa, but not the mind and speech. While Jainism talks about Ahimsa for actions, speech and mind and that is how there should be connection in Christianity and Jainism and he himself was convinced that Jesus must have had encounter with Jains before spreading the wisdom words in the west.
- His story of getting influenced by Jainism: He shared his story of how he got influenced by Jainism. He visited a slaughterhouse, and after seeing the voilence, he felt deeply about nonviolence. After searching for concept of Non Voilence he came across literature of Mahatma Gandhi who supported non voilence, and then realized Gandhi Ji learned about non voilence from Shrimad Raj Chandra Ji, who was follower of Jainism.
- He took a teachers training for Preksha Dhyaan and has a great respect for Samani Ji, Acharya Mahapragya Ji and Gurudev Chitrabhabu Ji.
- He told us when he walks he ensure he does not step any ants or grass. He used an old car with multiple dents, and does not replace it in order to follow Aparigraha
- He read the spiritual scripture Samaysaar 5 times, and does not consider that there are any fundamental differences in Digamber and Shwetamber sect.
- It was interesting to note that he knew the Jain terminology like GunaSthaan, Kashaya, Micchami Dukkadam, Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Karma and much more.
- It considered himself very fortunate to get into Jainism, and wanted to be reborn as a Gujarati, so he can understand both Hindi and Gujarati in his next birth.
It was amazing to see an American knowing and appreciating Jainism so much. It motiviated me to not to use animal products (milk etc), and be more serious in following Ahimsa and Aparigraha.
Micchami Dukhadam
