My Faith

What is the best thing about your faith?

The best thing about the Jain faith is the emphasis on respect for each and every living being.

This is a way of life by which I have been brought up from my childhood, and I'm very proud of it.

It has also given me very outstanding leadership qualities, because we have a strong emphasis on values and integrity.  Through living an ethical life, I have found it very easy and very natural to lead organisations, people and ideas.

What would your life be like without your faith?

I cannot imagine what my life would be like, because there would be no compass, no barometer to hold me, to guide me and to sustain me. 

In my faith, I have found that compass, that barometer, that source of strength, because alongside the faith is a very strong community spirit which has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. 

I have never been alone with my problems.  We have a strong family and community culture which supports us.

Have you ever doubted your faith?

Yes... as a teenager I did.  Mainly the doubts came from the science textbooks at school and also the rebellious phase which every teenager goes through.  But luckily for me that didn't last long.

If anything my faith has increased over time.  I am an active promoter of the faith; not in terms of proselytization but in terms of sharing the values and enabling all kinds of people to access the wisdom which I have inherited for free.

Mahatma Gandhi was inspired by the Jain faith.  His whole philosophy of non-violence came from the Jains and he used it to great affect to attend independence for India, but at the same time also maintained respect for the British people.

Where, for you, is the best place to pray?

For me it is inside our beautiful Jain temple.  We've just built a new one at Potters Bar, which is in an 80-acre green field site, just off the M25.  It is very peaceful even just arriving there. 

The marble temple looks like a jewel striking out from an English country landscape.  It is a beautiful blend of wisdom and nature, east and west.  We've got five acres of landscaped gardens, and then going inside and seeing the image of Lord Mahavir is a truly blissful experience and an uplifting one.

The temple is at Potters Bar in London just off the M25 and is open to the public.