________________
122: JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
fasting, library, religious school (pathaśālā), etc. All is paid by the generous gifts of the Jain laity.
Statues in these temples are essentially those of Rṣabha, Pärśva, Śanti, Mahāvīra, Bahubali, Sarasvati, Padmavati, and in a large spirit of tolerance parts of these temples are reserved to each obedience. In America, the Svetambara and the Digambara live in perfect harmony.
At the time of printing this book, there are about 100 lay Jain communities in Canada and the U.S.A. They are regrouped in the Jain Associations in North America (JAINA) that publishes a review entitled Jain Digest and has numerous religious and social activities. The majority of Jain communities in North America live in big cities like Atlanta, Augusta, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, Montreal, New-York, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Sacramento, Toronto, Washington, etc. Their members hold high or medium level positions and respect the fundamental tenet of ahimsa.
•
In Asia
In addition to India, there are some lay Jains in Nepal regrouped in the 'Nepal Jain Parishad' with two temples at Kathmandu. In Japan they are regrouped in the 'Japan Jain Sangha' with a temple at Kobe, built in 1985. This sanctuary is two-storied with a dome in marble and artistically decorated pillars. One can see a beautiful statue of Mahāvīra inside carried from Baruch in India. There are also many Jain temples in Pakistan erected before the partition of India and now in bad conditions.
We find Jains too in Malaya, especially in Singapore, regrouped in the 'Singapore Jain Religious Society' with a temple and another in Ipoh. Some Jain communities are also settled in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, etc. One exists in Bangkok in Thailand and another in Hong Kong. There are also some Jain families in Aden,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
