Answer

Your feeling is sincere and deeply understandable. In Jain Dharma, the most important identity is the purity of your faith, conduct, and inner transformation. Social or legal recognition may matter in worldly life, but spiritually, a person becomes Jain by accepting Jain Dharma with right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct.

If your Sangh has rejected your request, do not lose heart. Continue respectfully, patiently, and without anger.

Explanation

In Jain tradition, being Jain is connected with:

• Faith in Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu-Sadhvi Bhagwant
• Respect for the 24 Tirthankars
• Practice of Ahimsa, Satya, Achaurya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha according to one’s capacity
• Regular spiritual practices such as Samayik, Pratikraman, Navkar Mantra, and study of Jain teachings
• Living with compassion, restraint, humility, and forgiveness

If you are sincerely doing Samayik and praying to the 24 Tirthankars, that devotion is spiritually meaningful. Jain Dharma gives great importance to inner bhav — the inner intention.

At the same time, for legal identity, the process depends on civil law and administrative rules of your country or state. For that, you may need proper legal guidance. Jain Dharma itself emphasizes truthfulness, so whatever step you take should be honest, peaceful, and lawful.

Spiritual Understanding

Please remember:

• Do not allow rejection to become anger.
• Do not let lack of support weaken your faith.
• Continue your sadhana with humility.
• Respect your family even if they do not fully understand your path.
• Respect the Sangh also, even if their decision hurt you.

Tirthankars do not give worldly labels; they show the path to liberation. If your heart is moving toward samyak darshan, ahimsa, self-control, and detachment, that is spiritually precious.

Takeaway

Your prayer can be simple:

“Hey Arihant Bhagwan, please give me strength to live as a true Jain through faith, conduct, humility, and non-violence. May my identity be purified from within first.”

Legal recognition may take time, but your spiritual journey can continue from this very moment.