Jainism in a Global Perspective - Collection of Jain papers of 1993 Parliament of World Religions, Chicago

SR No.: 014010
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 402
Language: English
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 23 MB

Page 386

Parliament of World's Religions Chicago,93
357
(12) Exhibit halls: Exhibitions by different religious groups. The Jainas
had an exhibition.
The lectures, seminars and other literary programs covered six major topics; (i) Sciences, technology and religion, (ii) Social challenges, (iii) Society and culture, (iv) Language of spirituality, (v) Different religions of the World and (vi)Body and mind. The program listings show that there were more than 20% speakers from India in these programs and the Jainas formed 4.5% of the speakers. The program summary is given in Table 1 including the Jaina contribution.
Impressive Contribution of the Jainas in PWR, 1993
Shri V.R. Gandhi was the first Jaina member to attend the first PWR in 1893 but his lectures were very impressive and he had to overstay abroad sufficiently for Jinistic promotion. However, this time, the number of Jainas attending the PWR was about 200 and there were monks (8), nuns (3), votaries and votaresses including politicians (2), Indian Jainologists (8) and foreign Jainologists (12). There was the four fold order of Mahăvira present in PWR. They have been trying to impress upon the Jaina heritage throughout the globe since 1960s. The West has been impressed by.their consecration ceremonies and newer literature instilling large interest in Jainism there. That is why there are about 1000 Jainologists abroad. This led to larger participation of the Jainas making their impressive record of their activities as is evident from Table 1. This indicates that it is not the number of followers, but the scientificity of Jainism which has secured such an important place in PWR, 1993. It was also encouraging to find honorable places in the PWR organisational wings. It is also heartening to learn that there were six representatives from the state of Madhyapradesha (India) alone out of 34 speakers. The Jainas contributed in eight of the programs as shown in Table 1.
Table 1
Programs of PWR, 1993 and Contribution of Jainas No. Program Total No. No. Jainas
Percentage
participating 1. Meditation 2. Inter-religious festivals 10
16