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Evolution of Jainism in North America, Achievements and Challenges
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and Acharya Sushil Kumarji migrated to United States and provided guidance and religious leadership to the Jainacommunity. Thus slowly and slowly our transition from invisible to visible took place.
This is an exciting period for we Jains in North America that starting from a handful in 1965, now about 50,000 Jains live in U.S.A. and Canada. In the last 28 years, we have established a strong infrastructure that we all can be proud of. Now there is a Jaina organization or a group in practically every major city here. In fact there are more than 70 Jaina organizations now. Twelve years ago a unique and an historical event happened here. This was the creation of a national organization (The Federation of Jaina Associations in North America in short JAINA). This organization now represents nearly all the Jainas here.
Starting with the first Jaina Temple in Boston in 1981 we now have more than twenty temples and places of worship with Jaina deities.
Just two months ago, Jains inaugurated the largest and one of the most beautiful Jaina temples outside India right here in this city of Chicago. This summer alone we have had installation of Jaina idols in six temples in North America. Several more temples are being designed or being constructed. This is a remarkable achievement.
Suitable, appropriate, easy to read and understand educational and Pūjā materials have been made available and several more are in progress. several vedio and audio tapes are now available. A couple of Libraries, especially Jaina Libraries in Lubbock Tx. and Toronto arerealy to serve the needs of the community.
We now celebrate our holy festivals on a very reguler basis. Many of our rituals, places of worship and publications are non sectarian. Jaina conventions and other such functions have become gathering places for all Jains to meet, debate and discuss issues. Participation in inter faith movements, visits and availability of Jaina scholars, publications of at least three Jaina Magazines (Jaina Digiest, Jaina Study Circular and Jinamañjarī) and the start of Jaina studies at several universities in the U.S.A. and Canada are bringing new awareness within the Jaina community. Other examples of Jaina community's forward and progressive march are the celebration of Paryūṣaṇa and Dasa Laksana Parvas on grand scale,
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