Pratikramaṇa for the Climate is an English language guided meditation beginning with the traditional Jain story of the elephant Meruprabha in a forest fire, followed by reflection on our actions as they relate to Jain values, a recitation of sūtras, and an invitation to take practical vows that will support the well-being of all beings on our planet. Like the traditional Jain pratikramaṇa, there are elements of introspection and repentance.

 

Participants will explore the ancient Jain values of non-violence, non-attachment to material possessions, devotion to truth, recognition of the interdependence of life, and our traditional practices of simplicity and renunciation. They will then consider the alignment of our tradition with the actions we can take as individuals, members of the Jain community and world citizens to help solve this most pressing modern problem of the climate crisis.

 

 

This pratikramaṇa will be led by Dr. Jhankhana Jina Shah, who is a lifelong Jain and a trained Climate Realities Leader. Dr. Shah has been vegan for 35 years, and  is also a past chair of the Eco Vegan Committee of JAINA, (the Federation of Jain Associations of North America), and has written about the compassion and health aspects of veganism from a Jain perspective at veganjains.com. Professionally she is dual board certified in Family Medicine and General Preventive Medicine. She has worked in clinical medicine, public health, pharmaceutical safety and bioethics.