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Hinduwebsite > Forums > Jainism > An American Convert
 
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rushinjn
Registered: 11/30/09
Posts: 1

    11/30/09 at 11:52 PMReply with quote#1

Greetings to all!

I am in Florida and I have had the pleasure of meeting someone who is a Jain and I have been quite impressed with this person. They have something unique...peace and happiness through difficulty.

I have been on a religious quest for some time now as it is around 2-3 years. Through my studies and research I have began to develop a framework for what my belief system truly is. I have had to begin to work with what "I" truly feel mainly since no religion that I have discovered has been close to what feels correct.

Until now.

I have been reading and studying Jainism and I am absolutely amazed to see that some of the ways I feel sincerely in my heart are shown in Jainism. I am curious...how does a white american male make a place in Jainism? I do enjoy community and I am excited but also nervous at trying to engage in the local Jain community.

Do you think I would be accepted?

I have searched for so long and I have never quite had a 'connection' with anything so far like I feel about Jainism.

Thank You for Reading.

-JR
JayaramV
Registered: 06/07/07
Posts: 35

    12/09/09 at 02:10 PMReply with quote#2

If history is an indication, Jainism accepts people from all backgrounds and faiths into their fold, provided the aspirant has the will to meet with the rigors of the religion and the discipline in practice it demands. For example Chandragupta Maurya, a mighty emperor of ancient India, converted to Jainism in the later part of his reign and ended his life in southern India through slow starvation. Religious suicide is an accepted norm in some Jain sects.

You probably know that in Jainism there are sects such as the Svetambaras and Digambaras and layers with in each sect like lay followers, more serious and advanced followers etc . Specific sets of rules are prescribed for each group according to their interest and commitment.

Jainism is also a very austere religion which demands high degree of discipline and practice. I suggest that you visit a Jain monk, preferably in India and explore the options and opportunities. Start with visiting the most famous Jain pligrim places in India and see what happens.

Regards

Jayaram V
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