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Gabriele R. Helmer, The Jains in Antwerp/Belgium: An Overview
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Conclusions This study adds a small stone to the still incomplete and permanently changing picture of the global Jain diaspora in particular and of the migrants from South Asia in general. From now onwards, the Jain Community Antwerp will have to be mentioned in all discussions about South Asian diaspora. The analysis of the data shows a very strong collective identity. These are the three identity features:
1. Ethnicity - they all are Gujaratis 2. Business - they all are in the diamond business
3. Religion – they all are Jains Only people with all three characteristics are members of the Jain Community Antwerp. The Jain families in Antwerp have a very strong relationship on the social, economical and religious level, which is supported by the very strong network of a lay guru. One of the gurus, Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, regularly visits all Jain communities out of India. Shrimad Rajchandra was the founder of this lay guru movement. It can be seen as an innovation within Jainism because of migration. In summary, we can say that an utterly homogenous milieu like the Jain Community in Antwerp leaves less space for intercultural and interreligious dialogue. Most probably, the Jains will be able to maintain their tradition in the foreign environment. The following reasons are apt to emphasize this hypothesis:
- The closeness of the community
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Their independence of the host country
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The very close relationship to their home country.
All photographs reproduced with this article are by the author
