Bhavana+-+CD+-+SP13

**__Jains__**  __Language:__ Jains speak many different dialects from India. A few dialects they speak are Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, and Hindi. Most of the Jains have become multilingual, along with most Indians. The most common second language for Jains is Hindi.  __Beliefs:__ Jains are very strong believers in non-violence. They believe that non-injury is the highest religion. For example Jains also don’t eat honey because they believe it is violence against bees. They also believe in five major vows, Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha. Ahimsa represents non-violence. Satya means to always speak the truth. Asteya is to not take into possession, which is to not take anything not willingly offered. Jains believe that attempting to take material wealth from others is equivalent to theft. Another vow they believe is Brahmacharya, which is to practice celibacy. The last of the five vows is Aparigraha, which is to detach from material things.  __Behaviors:__ Jains try to perform certain spiritual acts every day. Jains have a fundamental prayer called Navkar Mantra. In this prayer they don’t mention any names or ask for any material benefits and favors. The prayer is simply a way to show deep respect to beings they believe are more spiritually advanced, and remind those who follow Jainism of their final goal of nirvana. Jains also fast, they fast during special holidays. Jains also take part in pilgrimage. When doing so, they take on some of the lifestyle and attitudes of a Jain nun or monk. They visit temples or other places that are associated with the Tirthankaras.  __Values:__ Jains happen to be very strict vegetarians. They don’t eat root vegetables, this is because they believe small life forms are injured when the plant is pulled out of the ground. Also they think that since the bulb is perceived as a living being, when it’s pulled out it won’t be able to sprout (consider it killing a living organism). They also find harsh words as violence. This shows that Jains greatly value non-violence. Even though they are extremely strong believers of non-violence they are very understanding. They themselves don’t take place in activities that involve violence, but they are understanding of a soldier who kills enemies in combat and believe they are performing a legitimate duty. Violence in self-defense is justified. Jains also value self-control. Although they greatly encourage self-control, they also understand that everyone has different levels of self-control. Those who practice Jainism follow the five major vows. Jains are very understanding that everyone (those practicing Jainism) also has different levels of self-control when it comes to undertaking the five major vows. ==== Character: My name is Bhavana Shah and I belong to the Jain culture. I believe I would be very beneficial as a Goodwill Ambassador because of the beliefs and values I posses. Since I practice Jainism, I have many characteristics that a Goodwill Ambassador should have. I am very compassionate and understanding of others. I think this would be very useful because I would get along very well with other nations and their ambassadors. I am also a very strong believer in non-violence, because of this I believe I would greatly useful when settling conflicts we may have. I am also have great amount of self-control. Some disadvantages I have that might affect my performance as a Goodwill Ambassador is that I live a very simple life. I am not exposed to much technology because in my culture we do not believe in having materialistic things. Also, being a strong believer of non-violence might be a disadvantage because we don't believe in killing small insects. Depending on where I am sent I might not feel comfortable with somethings that interfere with my strong beliefs but I will be very lenient and understanding of the situations and not let my beliefs come in the way of the task at hand. I will not completely ignore them either. I believe I would be very beneficial as a Goodwill Ambassador because of the beliefs and values I posses, including my strong belief for non-violence and value of self-control. ====  Citations: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Primary Sources: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> "Hemachandra, Indian Sage of Jainism." Hemachandra, Indian Sage of Jainism. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. Jainism. Dir. Kyoung8287. YouTube. YouTube, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Print Source: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Glasenapp, Helmuth Von. "Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation." Google Books. Narendar Prakash Jain, 1999. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Secondary Sources: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Jain." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.