Every now
and then, there comes news that 10-12 years old kids receive diksha and become Jain monks. The kids very vivaciously talk about how he/she is
ecstatic about their diksha and they
also talk about how the materialistic world and life is futile. I don’t think
that 10-12 years of age has enough repository of knowledge to deduce that the
mundane world is worthless.
They speak
what they have been instilled into their minds.
Though, I am
not that erudite on the Jain philosophy,
I would like to share that I feel this tradition a bit cruel on part of the
children who take diksha at the
tender age. I mean what horrendously wrong they found with the world at this
tiny age that they say that this world is illusion and real bliss is in
becoming a monk. At this age when children cry at the separation from parents
while going to hostel, these children get separated from the world. What psychological
upheaval they must be going through…I wonder. The media only reports at the time of the diksha reception that is a gala time
with throng, no one cares to read the mind of these kids when they start
leading a life in an insulated world.
If these
children are emotionally so strong at this stage that the effect of separation
is zilch then hats off to them but what happens to these tender minds when the
effect of separation is debilitating.
I am not
against the tradition of diksha but
at least the diksha recipient should
have the experience of boons and banes of body up to an extent where they can themselves
decide whether they want to continue with the ways of body or not. And the same
is with life. Until there is a substantial amount of experience in the kitty of
life, it is kind of unreasonable to tell that worldly life is worthless. The kids
should be given a chance to lead a normal life at least till twenty or twenty-five
years of age and if after that anyone decides with a mature perception of world
to renounce the worldly affairs, then I don’t see any problem with it.
I understand
that life is in different layers and spiritualism is one of that. And given the
undulating nature of life that entails happiness along with unbearable pain and
suffering, spiritualism is the final recourse for a frazzled soul. But to
introduce kids as young as ten or twelve is like stunting the natural happiness
of human mind and body and replacing it with a distant promised blissful enlightenment.
Receiving Diksha must be solving some issue of
humanity but I think that it must be also leaving some issues of a tender mind unresolved
and entangled. Despite all the razzmatazz created around the diksha of kids, I fail to feel the same frenzy.
The kids should be given a chance to grow a normal life at least till twenty or
twenty-five years of age.
###
P.S: This
post is written with the angle of worldly wisdom so it can miserably fail on the touchstone
of spiritual yardsticks.
It is not the case only with Jainism. Even in certain sects of Buddhism, one child from each family is sent to monastery at very tender age to become a monk.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, spiritual life is not all that dry. It has a charm of its own. Of course as you have said, every one should grow up to take up a monk's like voluntarily and out of maturity.
I still feel that the austere life of monk should wait till a mature age.
DeleteThanks for visiting the site and providing your comment.
well said neeraj...i totally endorse your views on this issue.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepshikha Jee for letting me know your views on the post.
DeleteAt that tender age, are the kids capable of all these traditions. Do they understand?
ReplyDeleteWell written.
That is the question. Thanks for visit Ranjana Jee.
DeleteRecently i read a news of a 12 girl taking diksha. it disturbed me, just like you. this kind of religious ritual is there in many sects - Hinduism - devadasi, Kumari/ Devi in Nepal, Christianity (nuns), Buddhism -lama kids, Jainism etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Kids are too young to take such decisions.
Be it in any religion...I really feel pained to see such traditions devouring the existence of kids.
DeleteThanks Rekha Jee for your visit and comment.
Well written Neeraj👍👌 I do agree..
ReplyDeleteThanks Varsha !
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree with your thoughts Neeraj. Very well written post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sachin!
DeleteI understand what you mean Neeraj - we have to make sure that no one takes advantage from their children or abandons them. However, I have heard of children who refer to their previous lives and are sure of what they want at a very young age. Dalai Lama was identified when he was a child. This view considers reincarnation as a part of life. The question of what is more important - the rights of the child or the traditional belief - is a crucial one and at present, the modernist view which gives precedence to child rights is winning. Every time traditionalists take a decision which goes against the modernist view of life, there are persons ready to raise voices and fight.
ReplyDeleteThanks sir for bringing in new aspect in the discussion with your insightful views.
DeleteWhoa! That IS really young for renunciation! I get what you mean, Neeraj. This one's got me thinking. It would be interesting to delve into the other sides of this too, no? I'd like to hear them talk.
ReplyDeleteYes we seriously need to hear them talk.
DeleteThanks dee Nambiar for your visit to the site and commenting.
DeleteThis has often made me ponder on the subject of renunciation too particularly when there was this news about some girls taking diksha. Had heard about little kids too and it happens in many religions. Religion is a sensitive issue to talk about today but we need to think of those kids and what goes behind such scenarios as well and not be exploited! As Dee said, would really like to hear what those kids have to say.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepa for sharing your thoughts on the subject. Sometimes a change in traditions should be considered to make religions feel more considerate to tender minds.
ReplyDelete