International Jain Conference 1985 3rd Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Ahimsa International

Page 227

Jain Society : Jain Centre
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Brief History :
Toronto has a total population of approximately 2,225,000. It is the largest multi-racial city in the province of the Ontario in Canada. Amongst its inhabitants, live peacefully about 500 Jain families, trying to establish a “home away from home" in the hope of better future and better life for themselves and for their children. They occupy a prominent place with other societies in this beautiful multi-cultural land. Jainism being an old religion, it has got recognition as a 'faith'with other 'faiths' with Inter Faith Orgnization as well as the Government of Canada.
There were quite a good number of Jains in Toronto, but since Seventies they have increased gradually with new immigrants from Africa, Aden, India and the United Kingdom. These immigrants mostly businessmen, industrialists and professionals had sufficient religious and cultural background from the countries they came from.
The Jain Society was first established in February 1974 with a few members then, which has subsequently increased, and there are at present 100 ordinary members and 110 life members on the roll. Membership for an ordinary member is $11.00 and life member $ 151.00. It is open for anyone, without distinction of caste or creed. The Society is a religious body, registered with the Government of Canada as such, and all its donations are tax free. Under the Constitution, election is held annualy and an Executive Committee with 4 office bearers, and 6 members are elected. There are 5 trustese on the Board of Trustee.
Mahavir Jayanti, Mahavir Janma Vanchan, Paryushana Parva, Dasha Lakshana Parva and Mahavir Nirvan (Diwali) are all celebrated by the Jain Society and over 500 Jains attend these functions. The Society also arranges and organises discourses, from Jain Acharya, Muni or Guru who are available in North America. In addition, the Society also organises lectures from educated and learned persons of any faith who are profoundly interested and familiar with Jain faith and philosophy.
Jain philosophy and doctrine has made a deep impression in the minds of Jain youths, and during Paryushana Prava, along with other normal religious rituals of Samayik and Pratikram, Puja and Prayers, penances, like fasts from 2