The Reflecting Pond

Fulchand Shastri Visits Penn, discusses happiness, the soul, and more

Santhara not Suicide: Respecting Jains’ Right to Die

Parth Shah (C ‘18)

On August 24, 2015, thousands of people gathered in Jaipur, India and in other cities around the country. They dressed in orange or white, held large signs, and marched with firm resolve. About…

A Practical Solution for Attachment

Sohum Daftary (E ’19, W ‘19)

Today I hosted a Spiritual Discussion on impermanence and attachment. Through the discussion and conversation, I think we found a potential way of limiting attachment in our day to day lives- something that’s…

There is Always Something to be Happy About?

Mounika Kannegati (C ‘17)

I. So I have to admit — I was one of those people who Googled “end of the world” last week. Even after a week of open discourse, I think we are all imagining different futures for the next four years…

In the Face of Adversity

Parth Shah (C ‘18)

Jains recall a story of their 23rd Tirthankara Parsvanatha as follows:

About 3,000 years ago, a popular monk named Kamath practiced severe penances using sacrificial fires. Parsva, a newly devout monk came to know…

Silver Linings

Sohum Daftary (E ’19, W ‘19)

This past summer, I visited India as a part-spiritual retreat, part-restocking-on-khakara-trip. It’s a trip the family has been making frequently with a very similar routine each time. Land in Mumbai, meet grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins…

Value in Virtues

Shivali Govani (C ‘18)

Serving as Paryushan Chair this semester on Penn’s Hindu and Jain Association was a very spiritual and rewarding experience for me. Paryushan is an 8–10 day Jain holiday to renew faith where people take the time to think about their year, contemplate…

In Plain Sight: The Innocent Minds of Children

Chintav Shah (E ’16, W ‘16)

When children look at something, their interpretation is often based off of the pure reality of things “as they are”. During their younger years, most kids have not yet been conditioned to act in…