Development And Impact Of Jainism In India And Abroad

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Arham Spiritual Center

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CONTRIBUTIONS OF NRI'S TO JAIN SHASHAN
college in London has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop the digitization and dissemination of the selected Jain manuscripts. The database is expected to go online to provide information in English, Hindi and Gujarati.
Ahimsa Day Celebration:10J celebrates October 2 as Ahimsa day and since 2007 have been awarding Ahimsa Award to individuals who have demonstrated commitment to Ahimsa.
Education:10J is a partner with Birkbeck College and have developed many 12-week modules for jain studies. 10J also sponsors Jain Essay competitions at the SOAS (School for oriental and African Studies). Other activities include offering of Jainism courses in the community, specialist course on Prakrit in conjunction with Jain Vishva Bharti and actively participating in various interfaith organizations
Apart from these notable examples, many Jain businessman, engineers, Doctors and Scientists have enlightened the local populations of their Jain heritage. A prominent example would be Jain Diamond merchants in Antwerp, Israel, London, New York, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles- they have been highly trusted community. It is safe to say that Jains are admired wherever they are in the world because of their high education, philanthropic nature, mild manners and ethical behavior in short their JAINATVA. In foreign lands, where people know little or less about Jainism, every Jain is like an honorary ambassador of Jainism. By living a righteous life, they all serve Jain Shasan.
The writer may be contacted by writing to: dilipvshah@gmail.com and acknowledges help from Drs. Sulekh Jain and Manish Mehta of US, NaginbhaiDoshi of Singapore, Kundanbhai Mehta of Kenya, KeshavChandaria of Canada and Ratibhai Chandaria of UK in preparation of this essay. Some of the material was obtained from IOJ website.
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