Jain Retreat Center Inhabits Former Jewish Children's Camp

August 12, 2006

Source: Star-Telegram

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/religion/15250649.htm

On August 12, 2006 the Star-Telegram reported, "Pointing to a few wild turkeys standing around in a majestic field and later pointing to a couple of small deer in another field, Vachaspat Sharma briefly describes the principles of his ancient Eastern religion. 'Everything's relaxed. We believe that all lives are the same. No violence; everything's relaxed,' said Sharma, a native of India who is a priest at the Siddhachalam Jain Tirth here. The Blairstown retreat of 117 acres was formerly a Jewish children's camp. It has 11 modern, winterized cabins for overnight guests; a dining hall; a playground; and two temples. Sharma describes how, during the fall and winter, he feeds the roaming herds of deer with 40-pound bags of corn on the quiet and peaceful property, where hunting is prohibited. Sharma lives at the mission with his wife and son. He came to the United States from India in 1996 to lead regular prayer services, or pujas, and meditation on weekends. 'I don't eat meat or egg. I'm 100 percent vegetarian -- no smoking or drinking, either,' said Sharma, taking off his sneakers to enter the mission's main temple, where five ornate statues of Jain gods, made of white Indian marble, are on display on carved marble altars. Incense and a candle burn at the gods' feet. Siddhachalam Jain Tirth is used by adherents of the Jain faith, a religion with origins in India that has some 4.2 million followers around the world. The Jains recently put their faith into practice here when they hosted a Peace Pole Planting Ceremony that was followed by a United Nations World Peace Flag Ceremony."