OshwalNewsI - Oshwal Centre

Happy Diwali - Oshwal News
FESTIVAL OF
An important aspect of the Diwali festival is the social. It is a personal, people oriented festival when
enmities are forgotten, an occasion for families to meet and catch up with each other. It is also the
perfect occasion to catch up with close friends with whom you always mean to spend time, but
never quite get around to doing so in the busy everyday hectic life.
As a festival of light and beauty, it encourages artistic expressions, and all communities endeavour
to make Diwali celebrations a very happy occasion for all. In our Association, we have a long
tradition of organising Diwali programmes which include singing and dancing items, cooking, card
making and rangoli competitions, thereby discovering the many talents of our members, especially
the children. I know from personal experience, the enthusiasm, concentration, level of skill and
sheer expression on the faces of the children whilst preparing their rangoli display is a memorable
memory. Participation by generations of children in these types of programmes and competitions
helps to ensure that our heritage is kept alive and flourishing.
…..Editor
JAIN WAY OF LIFE ….
As I stated in my editorial for the Paryushan issue and to echo what our President, Ashwinbhai
stated during his visit to the South London during Paryushan Festival, let our Jinalay be an
inspiration for the young to learn about our faith and heritage. We are all fortunate to be born as
Jains and as such have an obligation not only to live the Jain way of life but to promote in a
respectable and positive way to the next generation as well as the wider community. How do we do
this You know, each day, when we go to work, school etc we always come back home. Why,
because that is where we belong. In the same way, by studying Jainism and applying the philosophy
in our daily lives– by living the Jain way of life, we will be taking our soul, atma back where it
belongs. ‘Let us become not mere preachers but practitioners of the faith. Let us not merely claim to
be Jains, but let us become Jainas. Let us increase our knowledge and improve our conduct by
becoming better Jainas. This will enable us to understand ourselves and once we are able to fine
tune ourselves, we will be able to spread this understanding to others.’
Before we can eat the ripen fruit, we have to plant the seeds, water, nurture for the tree to grow
and bear fruit. As long as we plant the seeds, water and nurture it, I am confident that the coming
generations will embrace, cherish and ensure our faith flourishes, because they will realise that
Jainism is all about tapping our creative potential, and of realising and monitoring the creative force
within us. They will come to realise that Jainism is not an austere turning back on life, but that it’s
message is all about the transforming of ourselves and with that the world around us through love,
appreciation, compassion, non violence, equanimity and concord, its message is about ways to make
our living significant and meaningful.
My simple message to you all today is start planting the seeds,
Walk the Talk - Live the Jain Way of Life.
The above is an extract from a talk I gave at the Oshwal Mahajanwadi,
South London during the Paryushan Festival. …….. Kishor, Editor
F
“ One can ask whether it is worthwhile telling people about Jain principles or making them
aware of the Jain Way of Life. If you believe that the principles of the Jain faith are of
value, if you believe that Jain ethics are of general application, then it is very worthwhile to
show people the values of Jain faith and way of life. A world in which the principles of
Jainism are widely diffused, would be, we can assert with confidence, a much better place
than the world seems at present” …….Paul Marett
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