Jain Digest 1988 05 Vol 12 No 06

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 16

Overseas
NEWS
JAIN CHAITYALAYA IN KOBE, JAPAN
- Dr Jagat P.Jain, Buffalo, NY
The third International Jain Conference Feb'85 in Delhi, India resolved to establish World Jain Congress, a forum where Jains world over can come together to strengthen aims and aspirations to bring about changes in the community and in the world through principles and philosophy of Jain Religion: non-violence, vegetarianism and peace. As a Jain activist and believer in the WJC forum, I made a special trip, in October 1987, from Kyoto, where I had gone with my wife to participate in an international conference on Accounting Education, to Kobe. Kobe, an hour long travel by bullet train. Kobe is the city where Jain community of Japan lives. The community consists of 32 families, all in the pearl business. A few years ago, Jains of Kobe decided to construct Chaityalaya in the city. Architectural designs and plans were prepared and funds were raised. The construction soon began. Markhana marble, pure white marble from Rajasthan, India, was used in the construction to give purity, sanctity and Jaina tradition. The chaityalaya was ready at a cost of U$2,500,000. The enthronement ceremonies were performed on May 4th 1984, and the inauguaration of the chaityalaya was held on June 01, 1985. Chaityalaya has now become tourists attraction in Kobe.
The Chaityalaya is 2-storied. The second floor houses the altar with the idol of Lord Mahavir. In fact the chaityalaya symbolises the resoluteness of the 32 Jain families to sustain their religion as well to share and preach it in a distant land. This is an inspiration to the Jain communities in USA, Canada and other parts of the world to build chaityalayas where the adopted life and land have become a reality.
Sri Shikarchand was our host in Kobe, and his elder son, Vidhanchand was instrumental in organising community meeting, where an opportunity was given to speak on various activities of Jain communities in north America; the north American Jain Federation, the 4th International Jain Conference 1985 in India and the establishment of World Jain Congress. Exchange of views and points revealed some unique features in the organisational approach to advance universality of the Jain communities world over. The inventitative approaches unraveled were:
- Given name, Lord Mahavir Chaityalaya, bars all divisional stands despite all devotees hail from one thought of Jain Dharma.
- Donors have been recognised alphabetically in accordance with Agamic principle.
- Although Jains of Kobe hail from one region of India with a language singularity, English is the medium of promotion and propogation.
It was a great opportunity for a Jain family from north America to interact with Jaina community of Japan. It was indeed a marvellous experience.
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