COMMUNITY CHAT
The Jain community gathered on September 20, to call off all social events after sunset. But young Jains don't want to dedicate half their day to religion just yet, found Bhairavi Jhaveri
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Darshit Damania, Tushar Garg and Dhiram Shah wait for their dinner order at Andheri-based restaurant. |
Jainism is more a science, and less a religion that binds you to enigmatic rituals. Samohik Ratri Bhojan Nished (not eating after sunset), a rule that was passed in a landmark decision this September, also entails scientific reasoning eating early will naturally aid digestion, since bacteria and germs settle on food after sundown, making it harmful. Killing of germs is another guilt you have to live with.
"Since the rule came into effect, it has impacted Jain communities all over India, including those in Surat, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Bookings for banquet halls prior to the declaration, have been cancelled," explains Acharya Shri Pradyumn Vijayji Sureshji Maharaj of Jain Derasar, Santacruz (W). "They have pushed the events to an earlier time, before 6.30 pm, or have cancelled the events entirely, even if the deposit fee (which may go into lakhs for 5-star bookings), could not be redeemed," he adds.
But for the youth, it's not a snappy decision made overnight
"If social gatherings need to be held during the day time, they need to be on weekends only," says Nikita Nahar, a 24 year-old relationship manager at a bank. "If they are held during the day, in the middle of the week, they would disrupt our schedule, considering most of us have jobs or run businesses," she says.
Like Nikita, most youngsters have nothing against social functions being held in the day with gung-ho. But when it comes to following principles as an individual, it proves to be a bit of a challenge.
"My community expects me to eat before sunset, but it's not feasible in the mad rush of urban living," says 24 year-old Anvi Mody, a client servicing executive at an ad agency, who works between 9.30 am and 8 pm, five days of the week.
But, during the 8-day Paryushan festival, held annually in between August and September, most young members of the community renounce the good life. "I don't eat underground vegetables, onion, garlic and potatoes during the 8-day fast.
For the rest of the year, I do as I please," confesses 25 year-old Dhiram Shah, director of a web designing company. During the festival, when the community takes temporary vows of study and fasting, a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism, Anvi stops socialising, eats before sunset, avoids watching television, visits the temple every morning and tries to lead as simple an existence as possible.
No social life? No, thanks
"I would be left with a zero social life, if I had to eat before 7 pm. Which friend would come out with me for dinner at 6!" asks 29 year-old Palak Shah, who meets friends over dinner at least twice a week. Though she visits the temple regularly, this fashion designer doesn't think she can dedicate half her day to religion, just yet.
Jewellery designer Avni Jogani's husband's job doesn't allow her too much time with him. "I get to share just about one meal with him, so, it's a rule I can't follow, unless he is out of town," says the 29 year-old. And for the ones with full-time jobs, it's a different story altogether. "I get off work at 7 pm, after which I hit the gym. I can't run home to finish dinner," says Nikita.
Miral Doshi, 25, gets home only by 9 pm. Rushing home for dinner is as impractical as popping open a tiffin box on his desk 6 pm. But the entrepreneur has managed to be a "good Jain" for five days a month, after involvement in activities at his neighbourhood Derasar (temple) convinced him, it would only make his life better.
And, there's no pressure
If in the middle of a casual chat, you were to quiz a young Jain about the consequences of flouting a rule, you are most likely to draw a blank. And that's possibly because nobody shuns anybody in the Jain community. You have the freedome to live the way you want.
Declarations like the Samohik Ratri Bhojan Nished are made to make the community aware of the basic fundamentals of Jainism, in case they have been lost in the chaos of consumerism. Most urban Jains follow the religion in parts, we found. Some steer clear of mosquito repellents, others visit the temple everyday, while still others ban the onion-garlic-potato trio from their diet whatever little they can do to feel part of the community.
But this college student doesn't eat after sundown
When she was just 7 years old, Natasha Mehta watched her mother religiously follow everything their community expected of her. She emulated her mother's lifestyle, out of choice, but it wasn't until she was almost 12 years-old, that she understood why her religion demanded
all this of her.
She researched to get convinced
"I researched online, I read books on the reasoning behind each principle. Only then was I convinced," she says. At 20, this TYBA (she is majoring in Psychology) student from Jai Hind College, remains unfazed at the life she's missing out on thanks to priorities she has picked. "I attend early morning college, and make sure to get home by 6.30 pm. Socialising with friends is confined to the day," she shrugs. For birthdays organised by friends, she makes an exception, not more than a couple of times a year. "It helps that some of my friends are Jains too. For others who aren't, I drop in, but I try not to eat."
Natasha is convinced that she will be able to continue her regimen even after she lands a job.
The what and why of the rule
On September 20, hundreds of Jain monks from all over India met at Shanmukhananda Hall in Matunga, to give the Samohik Ratri Bhojan Nished, a seal of approval. The decision was taken because community leaders observed the fraying of traditions, and believe the community needs to be reminded about one of the most basic tenets of Jainism
Jainism's rule of thumb
Jainism was the first religion to practise Ahimsa (non-violence) as a rule of life.
It was founded in the 6th century BC by Vardhamana Mahavira (Great Hero), who was the 24th Tirthankar or the religious Guru of the Jains.
The primary figures of Jainism are the 24 Tirthankaras (prophets). The most recent of which was Mahavira (599-527 B.C.E).
Jainism has two main variants: Digambar (the naked) and Shvetambar (wearers of white cloths). The rule of wearing white cloths or being naked applies only to the highest monks and not to laymen or inferior monks.
True Jains try to eat only Sattvic foods (fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, whole-grains, legumes/lentils, milk, nuts, and seeds so that they always remain calm and peaceful. This food help them to follow Ahimsa. Jains are forbidden to eat eggs, fish, honey, figs, meat, onions, potatoes, garlic, and underground vegetables. Hot drinks like wine and beer are also forbidden.
Parent Speak
The 8 year-old who goes for religion classes
Thirty nine-year old Darshana Shah, a homemaker who also runs an out-of-home salon, has convinced her 8 year-old son Aakash to stay away from onions, potatoes, garlic and underground vegetables in his daily diet. She's enrolled him for religious classes at the neigbourhood Jain Derasar, so that he's convinced of the good that comes from following what his religion preaches. But staying away from food after sunset even Darshana thinks is a tough one to follow, She admits, "It's not impossible, but we are lazy."
Darshana's mother has been eating before sunset for the last 40 years, but she hasn't forced Darshana into imitating her. "Once Aakash grows up, he will decide what he wishes to do. Hopefully, the teachings wouldn't have gone to waste," she says.
These daughters are free to do as they please
Nikita's mother, Kamala Nahar (48) has recently sworn of onions, potatoes and garlic. Her daughters, however, are free to do as they please. "In Jainism, everything follows free will. This is our age to eat if we feel like, they tell us," says Nikita.
A Sthanakwasi Punjabi Jain, 20 year-old Natasha Jain's grandparents, based in Delhi, are staunch followers of the religion. But back in Mumbai, Natasha feels no pressure to run back home to grab dinner before sunset. "Punjabi Jains are little more relaxed when compared to Gujarati and Marwari Jains," she explains. Natasha's mother, Seema Jain doesn't force her to follow Paryushan even, since the dates of "festival of forgiveness", clash with college exams. "But I try and fast on as many days as possible, and I refrain from eating out," says Natasha.
Non-followers will not be punished, only made to feel guilty
"No, there is no "punishment" if you don't follow all the rules laid down in our religious texts," says Vijayji Maharajsaheb, adding, "The new declaration is not an enforcement, but it has come at a time when Western culture is influencing our lifestyle. We are forgetting our roots." Vijayji Maharajsaheb believes little can be achieved through pressure. Time is the best teacher, he says.
"At social gatherings, more than one rule of Jainism gets flouted, that's why this declaration was needed. Most people realise in good time that these rules need to be implemented for a better life, if nothing else," he explains. Till then, it's the responsibility of people around an individual. The community should avoid eating at functions held by the individual after sunset, to make him/her feel guilty and to avoid such practices in future.
Pujya Muni Shrijayaprabha Vijayji Maharajsaheb has written The Research of Jain Dining Table, a book that will be published in Gujarati, Hindi and English, this Diwali
Why do some Jains choose to renounce their lives?
Jainism believes in reincarnation. Each time the soul of the body is reborn on Earth, karma (good and bad) is accumulated. The ultimate role of Jainism is therefore to get rid of karma by ending the continuous cycle of birth-death-and-rebirth, and achieve moksha or nirvana. It means not to be born again. And, Diksha (renouncement) is a step closer to achieving this.
In his book Maximum City, author Suketu Mehta captures the story of a wealthy Jain diamond merchant, Sevantibhai Ladhani from Mumbai, who decides to take diksha, along with his entire family â his wife, 19 year-old son, and 17 year-old twins (a son and daughter). They give up not only their materialistic life, but also break all relations with each other.
A line he read in a book one day: Do you want to resign or will you be dismissed? marked the turning point in his life. He had slowly begun striving for independency from modern life a few years before the final ceremony.
Read more on Jain fundamental of diksha, in Suketa Mehta's Maximum City chapter 11: Goodbye World. For Rs 399 at all leading bookstores
