| Jainism | |
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This article is part of a series on Jainism |
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| Anekāntavāda · Syādvāda · Nayavāda · Jain Cosmology · Ahimsa · Karma · Dharma · Nirvana · Kevala Jñāna · Mokṣa · Dravya · Navatattva · Asteya · Aparigraha · Dharma · Gunasthana · Samsara | |
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| The 24 Tirthankaras · Rishabha · Mahavira · Acharya · Ganadhara · Siddhasena Divakara · Haribhadra | |
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| Digambara · Śvētāmbara | |
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| Kalpa Sūtra · Āgama · Tattvartha Sutra · Sanmatti Prakaran | |
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| Namokar Mantra · Parasparopagraho_Jivanam · Jain symbol · Jain flag · Timeline · Topics list | |
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| Mahavir Jayanti · Paryushana · Diwali | |
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Jainism Portal |
Jainism is a religion that has traditionally been confined to the Indian sub-continent and parts of the Middle East. However, with immigration policies being liberalised along with increasing multiculturalism in western countries, local Jain populations are rising (especially in Northern America).
The credit of introducing Jainism to the West goes to a German scholar Hermann Jacobi who translated some Jain literature and published it in the series 'Sacred Books of East' in 1884.[1]
Since year 2002, the number of Jains in Melbourne has risen from about 100 to 400, and it is expected to continue to rise over years to come.[2] Jainism is growing in North America, the Far East, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand[3]
Jainism's strict adherence to non violence has inspired such leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Schweitzer, and Martin Luther King Jr.[4][5]
In Europe, Jain populations are centered in Britain with a population of about 25,000 (as of 2006).[6] In the United States and Canada populations stand at around 100,000 (as of 2007).[7] Jain religion is now a part of the diversity of the Canadian mosaic and is a member of several interfaith - multifaith organizations.
The Jain community in Europe, especially in Belgium, is mostly involved in the very lucrative diamond business.[8]
The Jains living outside of India belong to various traditions, Digambara, Shvetambara, Terapanthi, Sthanakvasi, Shrimad Rajchandra are all represented.[9] In many cases, they gather and worship together in spite of sectarian differences.
The Jains in Belgium are estimated to be around about 1500 people. The majority live in Antwerp, working in the wholesale diamond business. Belgian Indian Jains control two-thirds of the rough diamonds trade and supplied India with roughly 36% of their rough diamonds.[10] They are building a major temple in Wilrijk (near Antwerp), with a cultural centre.[11] Their spiritual leader, Ramesh Mehta, is a full-fledged member of the Belgian Council of Religious Leaders put up on 17 December 2009.[12]
Jainism has a couple of adherents in the West such as Kurt Cobain who as the lead singer of Nirvana was strongly interested in Jainist philosophy and Jainist practices throughout his life, Raj Jain who is a professor at Washington University, Michael Tobias who published over 35 books, and Claudia Pastorino who is a popular Italian singer.
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