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15th Biennial JAINA Convention 2009
Ecology - The Jain Way
OUTBA
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SAINS
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JAIN UNITY AND DIASPORA without any distinction based on sect, language or Dilip V. Shah
the region they come from. JAINA is the largest dilipvshah@gmail.com
organization of Jains anywhere. Since 1981, about 50 Jain Temples have been inaugurated in North
America. Many, though not all, Temples are Dilip Shah is the President of JAINA
'Unified' Temples, offering both Swetamber and for 2007-2009.
Digamber Murties, a Navkar Mantra Tablet and Swadhyay hall for Sthankwasis or followers of Shrimad Rajchandra. Many centers celebrate both Paryushan and Das Laxana and Pratikamans of all three traditions plus English Pratikaman for youth is practiced. Scholars of all traditions are invited
at most centers and most centers have Pathshalas We are all aware of the
that use a unified curriculum that is non-sectarian state of Jain unity. In
and is in English. India, you may find a majority of Jains not even
Jain Diaspora is an initiative by JAINA launched at thinking about unity. For
the 2007 JAINA Convention. The very first them, they are quite
meeting was held under the chairmanship of the happy to follow their birth
late Dr. L. M. Singhvi and attended by Gurudev traditions. Most of them
Shri Chitrabhanuji, Acharya Shri Chandanaji, JAIN DIASPORA are unaware of the
Padma Shri Kumarpal Desai and Ambassador Dr. fundamentals of other sects. Many are hostile to
N. P. Jain along with delegates from 11 countries. other traditions. Many are more respectful of
The idea was to build a platform that would bring various Hindu traditions than of 'other' Jain
together leaders of Jain communities around the
world to exchange ideas, create communication traditions.
links or plan joint projects. It was agreed that we There are many organizations in India that are
have a whole day seminar with delegates from as trying to form a unity; Bharatiya Jain Sangathan,
many countries as possible every two years World Jain Confederation and JITO are a few. As
during JAINA Conventions during odd years. far as I know, Delhi is one city that organizes a
Beginning in 2010, there are plans to meet in a huge Joint Mahavir Jayanti Celebration for all the
host country in Europe, Africa or Asia in the even sects, but that is more of an exception and not
years. the rule in India. Each tradition or panth has its spiritual leaders-Acharyas, Gurus and scholars
Jain Diaspora can achieve the following: who guard their traditions.
Develop more unified Jain education material Outside of India, Jain Diaspora is in varying states
for our youth and adults in English both in of unity. Diaspora is the movement of people with
print and on the web. a common ethnic background to a location that is not their homeland. In that context, a Jain
Set Pathshala curriculums and standardize
tests for different levels, have Academic Diaspora is the cultural development of Jains outside of India and the adaptations we make. It
Bowls, essay competitions etc. is the means for our culture/faith to maintain its fundamentals while adapting to the society and
• Organize joint pilgrimages of Tirthdhams in world we live in. I wish to present an overview of
India (Swetamber and Digamber Temples) by the status of Jains in North America first and then
residents of many countries. suggest how this Jain Diaspora can be the key in
Develop Jain Census in member countries and bringing our dream of unity closer to reality.
directories like the one published by Jain JAINA, the federation of Jain Associations in North
Center of Boston for the United States and America is an umbrella organization of 67 Jain
Canada. Bharatiya Jain Sangathan in Pune has centers throughout the United States and Canada.
developed software for census taking and has Inspired by visionaries like Gurudev Shri
offered it for free to any Jain organization. Chitrabhanuji and Acharya Shri Sushil Kumarji, it
In April 2009, I was one of the invited keynote was formed in 1981 with just four Jain centers as members. Today it represents over 100,000 Jains
speakers .
at the Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Celebration hosted jointly by fourteen different 125
