Mahavir Jayanti

Another major religious holiday, this one celebrated in Jainism, where I can’t find any kid-friendly resources. For now, we’ll be discussing the significance of Jainism.

I’ll be keeping my eye out. I won’t hold my breath though – one of the principles of Jainism is not getting too attached to things – and writing, publishing, and sending a book out into the world might make detachment a little hard to do.

I’ve got plenty of adult resources to sort through, and a few Youtube cartoon videos the Earthquakes resented watching. But if you are a Jain and have any kid-engaging books or videos on the birth of Mahavira, any of the Tirthankara (great sages), or even on the principles Jainism, I hope you’ll comment below to share them with us!

Read:

• Mahavira: The Hero of Nonviolence

When is it? 

• The 14th day of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Caitra, marking the birth of Lord Mahavir, founder of Jainism
• This usually falls between March or April on the Gregorian calendar

Parenting is Praxis:

1. Read Be The Change: A Grandfather Gandhi Story.
   Gandhi was not a Jain, but he was inspired by the Jain values of non-violence, which was instrumental in his campaign for India’s independence from British colonialism. This story explains the longer-reaching elements of non-violence well.
2. Discuss how non-violence intersects with our commitments from Earth Day (see above).
3. Discuss one new small family habit we can choose to reduce harm and ripple out non-violence in our daily life. (For example, reducing single-use plastic with vegan floss and toothpaste tablets.)