Jains Today in World

Author(s): Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 47

18 : JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD like Oxford in England. Lessons on Jainism are also given now, especially in English and American in some colleges and universities.
The above report shows the vitality of Jains in the world today, even if their number remains limited. They might have disappeared during the centuries of tragic events that India has experienced, but they have succeeded to survive, to protect their faith, to observe their traditional values and to identify themselves with citizens of other countries. Recently, a "World Jain Confederation" has been created aiming to unite all the adepts, to promote their philosophy and culture in cooperation with other faiths and creeds. An "International Jain Foundation" has also been created to promote the publication of books and an English encyclopaedia is planned on that religion and philosophy. All of these efforts and initiatives aim to overcome a long period of Jain division, persecution, ignorance and isolation and to affirm a specific identity in India itself and abroad.