Juiced about Jain Dharma ...Why we do Conventions!

By Shaileen Lalji Shah

Young Jains conventions are an unique experience – there is nothing else similar to it on offer for the Jain Community in the U.K providing so many tangible and intangible benefits! Conventions have developed leaders within our community.

What’s in it for me in attending?

For a reasonable, subsidised registration fee you get the Young Jains Experience at superb value starting with entry to the weekend convention which begins on Friday evening and ends on Sunday evening. During this weekend you get delicious home cooked Jain Vegan Food (Friday evening meal, Sat/Sun lunch and dinner). You will meet lots of other likeminded people in an informal, friendly, warm, fun atmosphere. The icebreakers, workshops, meal breaks, Saturday evening entertainment e.g. Raas Garba and Sunday afternoon Garden Party all aid this and have resulted in many long term friendships and in some cases future life partners – better than a 2 minute speed dating session!

The greatest benefit is to explore in depth over the 2 days Jain Dharma concepts and teachings. Each session during the weekend whether presenter led or workshop shares aspects of the main theme and builds on the previous session. This allows to really get to grips with Jain Dharma, understand concepts so as to you the choice to use them in daily life – to really live the Dharma. The approach in sharing is at a level where those who know nothing about Jain Dharma and those who know some can both gain on their knowledge and understanding. The concepts are shared in simple English being made accessible, digestible, memorable and useable by using various mediums so that the whole mind (both left and right) and the senses are engaged in the active learning process. This is by the use of creativity, visual presentations, stories, modern music, acting, workshops, questions, audience participation, props such as cuddly elephants, chocolate cake to name but a few.

A great asset is the content is delivered by presenters, many home grown within the U.K and active within Young Jains and some specially invited for the convention. People just like you and me. Our peers sharing with us can inspire us to seek further. The home grown presenters have put dedicated effort in to learn the material, understand it, identify the key messages and develop creative ways to share it so that you can absorb it.

What’s in it for me being on the convention team?

Hard work and no social life for at least 6 months!  No seriously, being on the organising team requires commitment, dedication, belief in the vision, taking responsibility, patience, getting on with others and an open, flexible, let’s give a go attitude sharing mind set. It’s a great platform for sharing and learning from each other. The rewarding experience of sharing a vision/concept, developing it creatively, seeing it realised making a positive impact on people’s lives. The skills that can be developed are organising, listening, presenting, public speaking, designing, team work, communication, creativity, decision making and time management skills. The key thing to remember is that just as on the main committee and other charity organisations, people are dedicating time, energy and effort to this cause in their own time on volunteer basis. They are students, professional workers, self employed, parents with the same demanding lifestyles of family, work and friends as you.

Being part of the team means you are part of something bigger than just the weekend convention. The party is longer where you develop strong friendships, working relationships, share the fun times and worries and get into much more depth on the Jain Dharma to be shared. Many who are part of the team find that they have gone through changes which result in more confidence, self esteem, sense of purpose, personal and spiritual growth.

There are many people who having attended a convention or been on the team have been inspired to be an active member of Young Jains and an asset to the Jain community.

Young Jains conventions truly bring to fruition the Young Jains mission statement ‘A non-profit making society dedicated to the promotion of Jain Dharma in the Western World’ not just during the convention weekend but for many years after.