&NOW
then
Suryaraj Jain, Ashna Bhansali
An in-depth look at Sangh youth participation
Jain centers around the nation are continuously seeking involvement from younger folks to secure a strong future. This is often reflected in an effort to engage and instill strong foundational values in their youth. After talking to the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington (JSMW) and Jain Sangh of Greater Austin (JSGA), we noticed patterns in their journeys which showed that despite their difference in size (JSMW is at about 2000 people, while JSGA nears 300), both centers have faced similar paths in growing youth participation since they were created. Today, we’ll take a deeper dive into how these Jain centers have evolved, with a focus on youth programs and Pathshala participation.
Growing a Pathshala At JSMW and JSGA, Pathshala programs were started with about 15-20 students. With few attendees, the programs consisted of just one class and students representing a wide range of ages and skill levels. However, as the number of students steadily increased over time, so did class divisions; both programs now have over 60 students. In fact, JSMW is nearing 160 Pathshala students. How did these centers garner interest as the years went by, culminating in such high involvement? Surprisingly, there was no complicated marketing strategy, and many centers grew their Pathshala classes simply by word of mouth. As more families moved to the area and parents enrolled their children into Pathshala, others became interested in joining to provide spiritual education to their families. Pathshala became a topic of discussion during Jain center functions, such as monthly Pujas and major occasions (Mahavir Jayanti, Paryushan/Das Lakshan, etc.), where kids would participate in programs, socialize, and 36
parents would spread the word to their friends. Eventually, word of Pathshala reached beyond strictly Jain functions, leading JSGA to even gain a few non-Jain Pathshala students! It’s certainly no surprise that major occasions increase participation, especially for the youth who can volunteer during these events. JSMW saw a youth-driven group (Jain Youth of the Capital) make a large difference in increasing motivation and leadership from the youth. By organizing socials, community service events, and smaller, youth-only religious events (such as Navkar Jaaps and open discussions about Jainism), this organization has significantly benefited the spirit of the youth in the D.C. area. Additionally, Vibha Mehta from JSGA believes that having youth leaders, especially as Pathshala teachers, is crucial for increasing engagement with younger generations because students are able to relate to leaders that are closer to their age.
Challenges from the Pandemic Unfortunately, after the centers garnered all of this youth interest, COVID-19 threatened to undo much of their hard work due to a forced transition to a virtual environment. Pathshala classes in particular were heavily affected by the pandemic, as they transitioned to Zoom classes, like other educational institutions around the world. However, these challenges were eventually overcome, and the pandemic even ended up strengthening the youth programs and Pathshala. For example, JSGA saw more attendance in their Pathshala program after switching to a virtual setting, while JSMW was able to create more meaningful relationships within the youth group.
Further Youth Involvement Of course, none of this could be possible without support from parents and adult volun-
