Jain Digest 2015 06

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

Page 38

JAIN DIGEST
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At prese
present, there are two Jain temples in Japan, with the Kobe Jain temple being the most famous one. On June 1, 1985 the formal opening ceremony of the Kobe Jain Temple was performed in Japan. Prior to opening of the said temple, Jain followers in Kobe, Japan used to congregate at their residences by turns where a photo of Lord Mahavir was placed. The idol of Bhagwan Mahavir was specially flown from Mumbai, India in 1984 and the Panch Kalyanak Pratistha was held in April in the same year. The temple incorporates all important features of Jain temples as in India which has been built with the funds contributed by the Jain community members of Japan. It is near India club. One of the important rituals of the temple is to change a symbol flag on the dome once a year. There are 40-50 Jain families in Kobe. The Temple, is located at 7-5 Kitano-Cho, 3 Chome, Chuo Ku, Kobe, Japan Jain Sangh Kobe :81 78 241 5995 (Mr. Dhaulabhai)81 78 2419909/3464 (Mr. Khajanchi)
Jain Study by Japanese scholars
Fourty Japanese students were sponsored by the Government of India in the early 1950s to live and study in India. Some of them studied in Varanasi and Gujarat, which led to new interest in the study of Jainism in Japan. One of the accomplishments was the first Japanese book by Minakata Kumagusu to simplify and translate the concepts of Jainism into Japanese for use by the common people in Japan. A Japanese scholar, Dr. Shin Fujinaga checked the logical value of the Saptabhangi by exploring its relationship with anekantavada or the Jaina theory of multi-facet reality. S. Fuginaga was a scholarship student sponsored by Government
38 I MAY-JUN 2015
Jains In Japan
of India to study at the school of Languages, Gujarat University. He went on to completing his M.A. and PhD. in Indian and Chinese philosophy. Now, his work is referred in research all over the world and he currently presides over the Society for Jain Studies, Kyoto.
Tokyo Jain Sangh
Recently some Jains have migrated Tokyo. There are approximately 50-60 Jain families. They have "Vasupujya Swamy Ghar Derasar" built in 2001 by Zhaveri family.At 1-10-12 JainJinalay, Higashi, Ueno, Taito Ku, Tokyo.family. Contact no 81-80-6500-9911. Tokyo Jain Sangh participates in all Jain functions including Ayanbil Oli, Paryushan, Diwali and Mahavir janmakalyanak. Pathshala for 15-20 children takes place every Saturday. Many scholars get invited including Shramaniji, Rakeshbhai and others.
For contact:Rakesh/Hetal Shah. 401, Shihiyar kunj, 1-12-6 Misugi, Taitoku, Tokyo 1110055.phone+886932026425,08040611060
This is a small but vibrant sangh, who keeps flame of Jainism going.
EXORA VATICAL TER THE INDIA CLUB