Sumati Jnana

SR No.: 012067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 14 MB

Page 224

Jains Living Outside India
201
New-York, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Toledo, Washington. In Canada, the main cities with Jain communities are: Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto.
A "Third International Jain Conference" took place in February 1985 in New-Delhi, with eminent scholars and delegates from India and from various parts of the world''. In July 1985 was held the 3rd JAINA Convention (USA). In 1986 was organised in "Siddhachalam" a regional "Indo-American Jain Conference" under the guidance of Acārya Sushil Kumar regrouping 1200 participants18. In July 1987, took place the 4th JAINA Convention (USA). On the 25th, 26th and 27th of December 1987 was held by "Ahimsā International", under the guidance of Shri Satish Kumar Jain, a "Fourth World Jain Congress" in New-Delhi with as themes: unity, brotherhood and close link among Jains of the world, world-wide propagation of Jain ideals, prevention of cruelty to animals, world peace, vegetarianism, involvement of youth in living ethical life, etc. Many participants attended such a congress. For its own part, the board of JAINA decided to arrange each year a pilgrimage to India20 to maintain contacts with Jain ascetics, to receive their teachings and blessings and to afford to them their financial support together to charitable and social institutions. Each pilgrimage includes also visits to different sacred places in India.
In 1988 was held the installation ceremonies of a splendid Jain Centre in Leicester City (UK)2 (Pl. 26.5). Such centre includes an admirable architectural temple, at the example of those at Dilvara (Rajasthan), with carved pillars, spacious hall, auditorium, library, museum and other facilities (Pl. 26.6). An "Institute of Jainology" was also created in England with charitable institutions and socio-religious organisations. In 1989 was inaugurated the Jain temple in Toronto (Canada) and the 5th JAINA Convention took place in the USA. Jain temples have been also erected in UK at Harrow, Kenton, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Hendon, Hounslow and recently (2006) at Potters Bar, 15 miles from London. There are equally Jain temples at Kobe in Japan, Ipoh in Malaysia, Kathmandu in Nepal, Singapore, Sydney, Perth, and Canberra in Australia, Antwerp in Belgium, Bangkok in Thailand and in various other places outside India. Those who were in West India at Lahore, Bhera, Multan, Karachi, Hyderabad, Devaghazikhan, Sialkot, Taxila etc. (now in Pakistan) are all practically falling into ruins, since the partition of India22.
In 1990, Dr. L. M. Singhvi, a devout Jain, was named High Commissioner from India to UK. He made great efforts in favour of Jain followers in this country till his retirement and with eminent lay Jain delegates he presented at Buckingham Palace, on the 23rd of October of the same year, "The Jain declaration on nature" to Prince Philip, in his quality of President of the WWF for nature (Pl. 26.7).
In August 1991 Acārya Shusil Kumar inaugurated a great Jain temple at "Siddhachalam" and there took place the "Fifth World Jain Conference" with 5000 participants23. In 1991 too, a "Jain Academy" was founded with undergraduate courses as part of an University degree programme at De Montfort University in Leicester. In 1993, was held in Pittsburgh