Pack your imagination and curiosity, today’s adventure takes us to the colorful markets and serene temples of India, where we set out on a treasure hunt for ten sparkling jewels of the heart. These treasures aren’t gold or gems, but the ten supreme virtues celebrated during the Jain festival of Das Lakshana.
Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions, rooted in the powerful idea of ahimsa: non-violence toward every living being. In this episode, Laura guides kids and families through stories, games, and guided imagination to discover how Jains honor life, big and small, and practice values that help us all live more peacefully.
Along the way, you’ll:
- Step into a bustling Indian marketplace filled with marigolds, incense, and kindness, where even tiny insects are carefully protected.
- Learn about Jainism’s wise teachers, the Tirthankaras, and why forgiveness and non-harming are central to Jain life.
- Collect ten treasures: forgiveness, humility, honesty, contentment, truthfulness, self-restraint, austerity, generosity, non-attachment, and celibacy
- Each treasure is explained in kid-friendly ways with repeat-after-me mantras and real-life examples.
- Try calming breaths, playful movement, and mindfulness moments to feel how these virtues can come alive in your own body and heart.
- Visit a Jain temple during the Das Lakshana festival, where you’ll meet a monk sweeping the ground to protect tiny creatures and join children in a meditation on spreading kindness to every being.
- Play the “Choose the Jain Virtue” game, solving real-life scenarios with the right treasure to guide your choice.
- Cross the Friendship Bridge, discovering how virtues like forgiveness, truth, and generosity connect Jainism to other world traditions including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Indigenous teachings.
- Take on the “Virtue Quest Hero” challenge: ten days to practice the ten treasures, turning each virtue into your hero power of the day.
- And don’t miss the magical storytime: the tale of Mahavira and the Angry Snake, where non-violence and compassion transform even the fiercest cobra into a friend.
Finally, we’ll pack three treasures into our Belief Backpack to carry forward:
- Let kindness lead.
- Tell the truth gently.
- Share what you can.
This episode is an inspiring journey for kids ages 5–12 and their families, weaving together history, values, and playful imagination. By the end, you’ll see how ancient Jain wisdom can shine in everyday life and how practicing even one small act of kindness or truth can make the world brighter.
