Jai Jinendra

We are pleased to announce the next session of the JD Training Programme. Please find further details below.

JAIN DHARMA TRAINING SESSION - LEARN IT, LIVE IT, SHARE IT

Date: Sunday 7th June 2009
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Jain Vishwa Bharati (Sayer) Centre, Oxgate Lane, London, NW2 7JN
Lunch: Please bring your own Jain packed lunch. Refreshments will be provided
Cost: None

“Juiced about Jainism”
The Jain Dharma Training Programme

The Young Jains Jain Dharma (JD) training programme, open to seekers of all age and ability, aims to: facilitate a deeper understanding of Jain dharma; cultivate awareness of a tradition whose insights can bring benefit to many; and provide support to those individuals who wish to represent the dharma at local, national and international levels. 

A deeper understanding of the dharma…

Padhamam nanam tao daya, evam citthai savvasa maje - Dasavaikalika Sutra IV

First knowledge, then compassion.  For how can an ignorant person be compassionate when they cannot distinguish between good and evil.

The first stage of the JD process - before standing up and representing the dharma, or indeed putting it into practice ourselves - is to develop a deep understanding of the richness and beauty of its message.  For, as the sutras say, how can we truly develop qualities such as non-violence or compassion if we do not understand what is harmful and what is good, what constitutes violence and what constitutes peace.  Whilst one individual may consider a war against a country whose regime is oppressive as an act of violence towards a country’s population, another might consider it to be an act of compassion.  Jain dharma provides a framework in which the answer to life’s questions can be found.        

Insights can bring benefit to many…

JD training is fun, interactive and a wonderful opportunity to make life-long friends. The content shared draws on a variety of sources from across the tradition, including Tattvartha Sutra and the “Jaina Path to Purification” (P.S. Jaini).  We explore obstacles faced by Jain practitioners who have walked the path before us, such as Bhagwan Mahavir or Shrimad Rajchandra, and the qualities they demonstrated to overcome these temporary barriers.  We also study the timeless writings of great souls like Kundkundacharya and Hemchandracharya.  We encourage participants to start their own life experiments to explore their own personal obstacles, and facilitate the discovery of how to practically apply the dharma's timeless tools to modern-day examples.  Our key aim is self-representation; that an individual can quietly and with confidence face life’s challenges armed with the treasury of the dharma.

Provide support to those who wish to represent the dharma…

There are many individuals who have had the courage and taken opportunities to represent Jain dharma at local, national and international levels.  Those individuals we would describe as:

“juiced about Jainism; a leader sharing confidently, clearly & enthusiastically Jain philosophy and concepts with others (family, friends, school, work, community); leading by example; using what they know on a consistent basis to add tremendous value to the quality of their lives and those around them.”

The JD programme provides the opportunity for individuals to share insights of the dharma in a safe environment, and the encouragement to present at events such as the recent Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (MJK) celebrations.  Members of the training group have also presented sessions at recent JAINA and YJA conventions in America. 

The next major opportunity for members of the JD training team will be to speak or facilitate workshops at the 7th Young Jains International Convention in July.  But the programme will continue beyond this date.  Because only by developing this team of confident individuals can we be sure that the timeless beauty and knowledge of our Jain dharma will continue to be shared for months, and even years, to come.

For more information about the Jain Dharma training programme, or to register your interest for the next event which will be on Sunday 10th May, please contact training@youngjains.org.uk.
 

Presenters and Workshop Facilitators

If you're interested in presenting, facilitating one of the workshops or even taking a small support role in delivery then email Priya now to find out how to get involved.

Other Opportunities

There will be lots of ways to get involved in the convention from catering to set-up and decorations. Please get in touch and we will keep you informed as our preparations proceed.