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Jainism: The Cosmic Vision Jain literature and philosophy. Capable students and professors are easily available there. It is situated in congenial surroundings and is in constant contact with the Banaras Hindu University. It has gained co-operation of Krishnachandracharya, Mohanlal Mehta and later on, of scholars as Sagarmal Jain.
All these institutions, work in their own way. There is hardly any co-ordination amongst them. Hence, work is sometimes duplicated. Shri Mahavira Jain Vidyalaya, Jain Vishvabharati of Ladnu and the Institute of Byavar - all these three institutes have published Agamas. Two years ago a seminar was organised in the Parshvanath Vidyashram regarding elimination of such duplication. But no concrete schemes in this connection have yet taken shape. Similar is the case with scholarships awarded to researchers. A central organisation awarding subject wise scholarships should be set up.
Activities of Jain Religion in the Last Century abode. About 75 to 80% of Jains residing in the UK have migrated fiom East African countries for permanent settlement. There are 20 to 25% of Jains who have come here from India. The Jains, who came to the UK from Africa, brought with them their own life-style. Most of these Jains belong to the Oshwal community. Their origin is in Halar (Jamnagar) district. About 60% of the Jains in Britain are Oshwals. Their organisation is, therefore, the largest one. Probably there are 15 to 18 thousand Oshwals in the UK. The Oshwal Association believes in preserving the root values of the Oshwal community. They are proud of their Oshwal origin and rightly so. Oshwals have purchased a site of 84 acres in a village north of London. They are planning to build a temple and Mahajanwadi. There it is certain that this dream will come true in course of time.
The Jain Samaj of Europe founded in Leicester is the organisation which accepts all those who are interested in the spread of ideals of jainism. The Jain Samaj of Europe is trying to establish itself as a Jain body which can be regarded as the true centre of jainism outside India. The Jain Centre in Leicester is lucky to have the first magnificent temple in Western countries. Jain Samaj publishes an excellent quarterly magazine called 'The Jain'.
The speciality of the centre is the recognition of various factions of the Jain community. The Jain Centre has Shwetambar and Digambar temples, a Sthanakvasi Upashraya and other facilities for all minority sects. Some non-Oshwal Jains and other Vaniks in East Africa formed an organisation called the Navanit Vanik Associations. This Association exists in Britain as well. The Navanit Vanik Association in Britain undertakes marvellous activities. They organise religious and social functions, provide social help in finding a suitable match
Now let us think of Jain Institutes in England, America and other countries.
Institutions in UK
It is estimated that there are about 25 to 30 thousand Jains living in the UK at present. Most of them have migrated from East Africa. These people, or their ancestors, had migrated to African countries in the early zoth century. Kenya, Uganda, Tanganika (including old Zanzibar), Sudan and Aden were their favourite places. They were very well settled there. Most of them made good money, too. They preserved their heritage and age-old values. They built up temples and institutions in those countries. As the political climate became unfavourable, these people started leaving the countries of their original
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