Spiritual Lessons from Animals: From Preetirang Sanctuary

Posted on August 31, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Vegan Jains appreciate the embodiment of ahimsa in people of all faiths, including the sister traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Madhulika and her husband run a small sanctuary in CA, flying under the radar of the farmers around her. On former hunting grounds, they support cows, chickens, goats and other animals, in the hot and dry Northern CA environment. We had the opportunity to tour the sanctuary, speak to her and hear her sing soothing Indian songs to the animals in her care. What a treat! And an inspiration. Photos below. In the video she explains how caring for the animals is spiritual service, consistent with the Hindu teaching that all living beings are a family (Vasudhaiva Kutambukam) and how they teach her great lessons of love, forgiveness and trust.

Entering the sanctuary
PreetiRang founders with a rescue chicken

Text describing the mission of the sanctuary

Goat close up
Brushing one of the cows

Video interview with Madhulika about spiritual service

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Posted in Interfaith, Profiles, Sanctuaries

Veganism is a Part of Jainism, a persuasive presentation

Posted on August 28, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Jain nuns and monks from a variety of sects address the violence in dairy products in the video, and then there is an extended discussion between three principled vegans about the overlap between Jain ahimsak practice and veganism. It is in Hindi with English subtitles.

This photo shows Acharya Chandanaji from Veerayatan showing compassion for animals, however, she is not one of the ascetics in the video voicing support for veganism.

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Posted in Activism, Dairy in India, Environmental, Health and Nutrition, Jain ascetics, Jain Philosophy, Talks

Vegan for Paryushan and Das Lakshan

Posted on August 27, 2022 by | 1 comment

The Jain Vegan Initiative group has put together a great Community Cookbook with Vegan Paryushan recipes .

vegan-paryushan-cookbook_2022Download

Will you take this *Pledge:*? Please comment!

While we all move forward on the path of Ahimsa this Paryushan and Daslakshan, let us take a moment to introspect the impact of our actions in day-to-day life. Today, when innumerable animals are suffering in unimaginable ways for dairy products and other animal products, Jain values urge us to intervene. While we take all measures to reduce all forms of Hinsa by refusing to eat and hurt animals, our consumption – for example, that of dairy and dairy products – is inherently full of suffering. Let us take a pledge this time to not participate in this suffering. Let us take a pledge to give veganism a try this Paryushan/ Daslakshan, and take a pledge to refuse the consumption of any animal products and using the animals in any capacity.

This Paryushan and Dashalakshan, I decide to move forward on the path of Ahimsa. I refuse to participate in causing immense suffering to innumerable innocent animals suffer due to milk or use any other animal products. In face of this immense suffering, I vow to give veganism an honest try this Paryushan and Daslakshan.

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Posted in Health and Nutrition, Paryushan, Recipes

Climate Focused Jain Pratikraman: Recorded Guided Meditation with Text

Posted on August 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

As we prepare to observe Paryushan and Das Lakshan Parva for this year, here is a resource for those that may wish to practice a non traditional pratikraman. This guided meditation takes us through an application of our Jain values to the climate crisis, suggesting ways we can reflect on our actions and commit to making positive changes as individuals, in our communities and as world citizens. Going vegan and advocating for veganism on a large scale is an important part of the solution.

You can download the text of the pratikraman here.

climate-crisis-focused-pratrikrman9-10-21Download

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Posted in Environmental, General, Jain Philosophy, Paryushan, prayers, Talks

Animal Agriculture and Pandemics

Posted on March 16, 2022 by | Leave a comment

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Recording posted for “How Volunteering at Luvin Arms Sanctuary Changed Us”

Posted on February 21, 2022 by | 1 comment

On Nov 27, drJina and Sunny spoke with Mihika and Mansi, two pre-medical college students who found new friends in residents of Luvin Arms, learned about veganism as they dove head first into vegan advocacy, and are navigating their college life after this transformative experience! A lively discussion followed with tips about transitioning to veganism, veganism in India, and health benefits of a whole foods healthy vegan diet.

Here are some of the segments of the webinar, if you want to skip to topics of particular interst.

For the first 10 minutes, we have the opening, introduction of the hosts, speakers and their immersion into advocacy

(10: 41) hear the stories linked to pictures of the animals they grew to know and love at Luvin Arms

 (23:06) Luvin Arms’ Ahimsa in Action video

(28:13) Interview with Sunny

(40:00)  Full group Q and A and discussion about resources, podcasts, videos, experiences about the transition to veganism

(56:31) veganism in India, including comments by Shilpi  

(1:06:58) health benefits of veganism, including chronic disease prevention/reversal and allergies in children, lactose intolerance

(1:11:32) more benefits of going vegan; weight loss, increased energy for Kolle, recommendations for Game Changers and What the Health documentaries

(1:15:06) links to connect with Luvin Arms, Ahimsak Eco Vegan Committee, and Jain Vegan Initiative 

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Posted in Activism, Dairy in India, Health and Nutrition, Sanctuaries, Webinar series

Thanksgiving and Everyday Meal Prayer

Posted on November 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Yesterday, the Global Jain Network hosted a special program to pray for Thanksgiving. The full recording is here. Many Jains shared stories and reflections, including the meal contemplation that we’ll discuss in this post.

These meal reflections are adapted from The Five Contemplations in the Plum Village tradition, a Zen Buddhist practice led by the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. They have been continually revised by a thoughtful community and the latest version is described as the New Contemplations before eating. We have added #5 and #6 in keeping with our Jain sentiments. Through the years, the “Jain version” has changed a little (event a little different in the recording compared to what’s written below). The Thanksgiving version calls out turkeys in #6 as objects of large scale slaughter for Thanksgiving. The everyday version includes the animals that are tortured and killed everyday in the form of meat, eggs and dairy products.

Even as we express our sorrow at how the animals and our earth are harmed, we can find joy in a community that shares our purpose to transform our relationship with all beings. Perhaps this joy motivates us to take even more care in our diet and lifestyle to follow our highest ideals of non-violence. Happy Thanksliving! Happy Thanksvegan!

Meal Reflections:

1.    This food is the gift of the whole universe: the earth, the sky, numerous living beings and much hard, loving work.

2.    May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude to be worthy to receive it.

3.    May we recognize and transform our unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed, and learn to eat with moderation.

4.    May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that we reduce the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.

5.    May we ask for forgiveness from all living beings that we may have harmed, intentionally or unintentionally.  May peace and compassion grow in ourselves and extend to all around us.

6.    May we pray that all the people everywhere in the world will avoid inflicting harm on animals and fellow human beings and practice nonviolence and compassion.

7.    We accept this food so that we may nurture our sisterhood and brotherhood, strengthen our community, and nourish our ideal of serving all living beings.


							

	
			

				
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						Posted in Interfaith, Jain Philosophy, prayers					

															

		


		
	


			

			
Essence of Jain Diwali Program: Recordings and Presentation


			

				Posted on November 6, 2021 by  | Leave a comment
			


				

				

Happy Diwali and Happy New Year! 





We are happy to share with you the recordings of these segments of the program:





1.  Spiritual celebration of Diwali  at  https://youtu.be/yhKiJQ2Jcao





Ruchika Chitrabhanu’s presentation, a great resource is available here





Spiritual celebration of Diwali slides-slidesDownload





2. Cultural Celebration of Diwali with Recipes  at https://youtu.be/sqeyjZ_P6_Q





3. How Jain centers, families and children celebrate an ahimsak Diwali at https://youtu.be/-IVsO2_8g24





and 4. Reflections on Diwali and Group Discussion at https://youtu.be/gCpUoye-z0c
















							

	
			

				
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						Posted in Environmental, Jain Philosophy, prayers, Talks, Webinar series					

															

		


		
	


			

			
Slides for Parliament of World Religions Session Ahimsa and Veganism in Jainism


			

				Posted on October 17, 2021 by  | Leave a comment
			


				

				

parliament-slide-deck-10-18-2021Download






							

	
			

				
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						Posted in Activism, Dairy in India, Environmental, Health and Nutrition, Interfaith, Jain Philosophy, Talks					

															

		


		
	


			

			
Climate-Focused English Pratikraman


			

				Posted on September 10, 2021 by  | Leave a comment
			


				

				






With inspiration from our traditional ritual and stories, (the elephant Meruprabha showing compassion in the midst of a forest fire above) and the undeniable science of the climate crisis, drJina wrote a non traditional climate focused pratikraman for adults. Below is a link to the pdf for the text of the pratikraman. drJina read from this version on Clubhouse on Sept 11, 2021. Here is the audio recording of the Clubhouse event. 







climate-crisis-focused-pratrikrman9-10-21Download





Please read the Jain Declaration on the Climate Crisis, and endose and enter your pledge(s) there.






							

	
			

				
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						Posted in Environmental, Jain Philosophy, Paryushan, prayers