JVB NJ ►Acharya Tulsi ►Inspiration ►Vol 4

• Thoughts and actions that render our lives pure - are Dharma; while thoughts and actions that cause our lives to become impure and distressed - are Adharma.
• Dharma is formless. It acquires its form through the various methods of worship. Dharma is soul, while the method of worship is body. Their apposite union is vital for collective worship.
• When conduct becomes secondary to prayer, an intellectual conflict can evolve easily, and that can disengage an individual from Dharma.
• Inhabitants of the new scientific world can never remain content with rituals alone. They expect a Dharma that can resolve their everyday problems, and shower their lives with bliss.
• The rudimentary moral of Dharma is love and amity for all. On the other hand, the message of racism is love and amity only towards one’s own race. Therefore, Dharma and racism can never coexist.
• Dharma can achieve longevity only when it can roam freely amidst the pragmatic realities of life.
• I don’t covet a Dharma that is limited only to concepts. I covet a Dharma that can be an integral element of everyday life, a Dharma that can fill the chasm between concept and conduct.

JVBNA Gyanshala has been running successfully for the past 10 years under the guidance of respected Samanijis. It was only fitting that Jan 19, 2014 was celebrated as Samanijis’ Day at Gyanshala. Gyanshala team led by Sonya Doshi, along with teachers, and Gyanshala students organized a grand party complete with sumptuous goodies provided by parents. This was followed by an assembly, where parents, teachers and students alike, expressed their gratitude for the difference Samanijis’ presence and guidance has made in their lives. Speakers extolled the virtues of the calming influence of Samanijis’ presence and guidance in their fast paced lives, of how Gyanshala has changed their perspectives, and how fortunate they are to have Samanijis’ wisdom and support in their lives. Samanijis pointed out that Jainism is a way of life and it provides practical solutions in these modern times.

All our regular weekly sessions of Prayer, Swadhyay, Yoga, and Preksha Meditation are progressing well under the guidance of Samani Sanmati Pragyaji and Samani Jayant Pragyaji. Scores of participants continue to derive physical, emotional, and spiritual enrichment from these ongoing sessions. The Thursday Swadhyay class is discussing Thanam Sutra, while the Saturday Swadhyay attendees are delving in Uttaradhyayan Sutra. The recent topics in Sunday Swadhyay touched on the concept of God and Jain cosmology. Please consider joining in the next session.