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philosophy, rituals, ethics and contemporary Jain life. An important part of this programme is the opportunity to contextualize what is learned in the class room by visiting academic, historical places of interests, interacting with the members of the Jain community and participating in cultural activities. In addition, ISSJS also provides opportunities to learn languages like Prakrat and Sanskrit, study Jain holy texts like Acaranga Sutra, Uttradhyana Sutra, Rattankarand Shravakachar, Samayasara for short periods.
Shree Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha
Shree Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha is the foremost association of Digambar Jains in India. It was established in 1894 by Seth Raja Lakshmandas Tongya of Mathura, a founder-member of the Indian National Congress. The Mahasabha was formally registered in 1895. Some of the Jain stalwarts who have been associated with the Mahasabha include Raja Dwarikadas Rayees of Mathura; Seth Manikchand, J.P., Bombay; Barrister Champatrai Jain; Sir Seth Hukamchand, Indore; Sir Seth Bhagchand Soni, Ajmer; Nirmal Kumar Jain Sethi, Delhi. Mahasabha's numerous activities are carried out through the following five wings, with each of them having a separate set-up: Shree Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain (Dharma Sanrakshni) Mahasabha (established in 1895), Teerth Sanrakshni Mahasabha; Shrut Samvardhini Mahasabha (2004), Mahila Mahasabha (2006), and Mahasabha Charitable Trust (1988).
Since its inception the Mahasabha has been publishing a weekly newspaper "Jain Gazette" in Hindi. Other affiliated organizations also publish monthly magazines namely, Prachin Teerth Jirnoddhar, Shrut Sambardhani, and Jain Mahiladarsh. Mahasabhas' various activities-religious, socio-cultural, educational are concerned with most aspects of the community life of the Digambar Jains. In 2007 the Mahasabha launched a political consciousness forum in order to encourage Jains to have increased participation in the political life of the country.
For the past few years the Mahasabha has been active in reviving and establishing its branches in the U. S., Thailand and Kuwait. In the U.S. the Management Guru Dipak Jain heads one such unit at Chicago. The other one is located in San Francisco. Bangkok city not
109 Jains in India and Abroad
