World Jain Conference 1995 6th Conference

Author(s): Satish Jain
Publisher: Ahimsa International

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and religious education and for students for technical training abroad. It also intends that suitable Jain literature be placed in different universities, libraries and research centres of various countries and India to facilitate studies and research in this highly scientific and one of the oldest religions of the world.
It shall make efforts to make suitable provision for education of deserving students abroad and of visit of scholars and deserving students of different countries to India to visit the Jain monuments, the centres of religion and culture, and treasure houses of ancient literature.
WORLD JAIN CONFERENCES
A great visionary, devoted to the cause of non-violence, understanding and co-existence to the core of his heart and a learned Jain saint late Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji had the bold initiative to travel to America and Canada in 1975. Encouraged with the devotion of American and Jain followers there he established a Jain Ashram at Burlington (200 miles away from New York). Later he shifted his Ashram to 722, Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, New York. His mission was to bring the Jain religion on world map by propagating the teachings of Tirthankars and great Jain saints among the believers of all faiths in India and the wider world. He was for his pious objectives overwhelmingly received by the Jains and others in U.S.A. and Canada. International Mahavir Jain Mission was established there with him as Founder President to carry out his mission.
The migration of Jains to U.S.A. and Canada mainly started from the sixties of the present century. Immigration on secular basis opened avenues there in engineering, scientific and medical research and in various trades and professions. An estimated number of 50,000 Jains financially and professionally well established now reside in U.S.A. and Canada. As a result of this there are a lot of organised Jain activities in U.S.A. and Canada since 1960s.
The far sighted Jains of America and Canada and the Trustees and members of International Mahavir Jain Mission there much assisted Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji in the purchase of 108 acres of land in Blairstown in New Jersey State, U.S.A. in 1983 to expand the Jain activities and to transform this big place into a holy Jain shrine (Jain Tirtha), which indeed has come into being.
Late Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji had unique creative mind. He was the pioneer in organising the Ist World Jain Conference in U.N. Plaza, New York in 1981 which was attended by about 700 delegates. The 2nd Conference was organised by Jain Association of U.K. at London in 1983 and Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji had an important role in the successful conclusion of this big conference, which was attended by over 2500 participants, including many from India, U.S.A. Canada, Germany, Gulf and other countries.
The invitation to hold the 3rd World Jain Conference in New Delhi (India) was extended at the London Conference by Shri Satish Kumar Jain, Secretary General of Ahimsa International. The Conference was accordingly held by Ahimsa International at New Delhi in 1985 which was attended by over 2500 participants including many from U.S.A., Canada, Eruope and several other countries. The 4th World Jain. Conference was also held at New Delhi in 1987 which was organised by the World Jain Congress and Ahimsa International. It was attended by over 2000 participants including many from various countries. The main subjects discussed at these Conferences were non-violence, understanding, brother-hood, vegetarianism, animal protection, publication of suitable literature particularly suited to the younger generation, role of