Jain community
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The Jains in India have been the last direct representatives of the Shramana tradition in India. They follow Jainism, the religion taught by the twenty-four propagators of faith called tirthankaras.
Sangha
Jainism has a fourfold order of sadhu (monks), sadhvi (nuns), sravaka (layman) and sravika (laywoman). This order is known as a sangha.
Cultural influence
The Jains have the highest literacy rate, 94.1% compared with the national average of 65.38%. They have the highest female literacy rate, 90.6% compared with the national average of 54.16%. It is believed that the Jains also have the highest per capita income in India.[1]
Communities
There are about 110 different Jain communities in India and overseas. They can be divided into six groups based on historical and current residence.
Central India
- Jainism in Bundelkhand
- Jainism in Madhya Pradesh
Western India
- Jainism in Gujarat (Gujarati Jain)
- Jainism in Maharashtra (Marathi Jain)
- Jainism in Mumbai
Northern India
- Jainism in Delhi
- Jainism in Uttar Pradesh
- Jainism in Rajasthan (Marwari Jain)
Southern India
- Jainism in Karnataka
- Jainism in Kerala
- Jainism in North Karnataka
- Jainism in Tamil Nadu (Tamil Jain)
Eastern India
Overseas Jains
- Jainism in Europe
- Jainism in America
- Jainism in Canada
Population
The Jain population in India according to 2001 census is 4,225,053 out of the total population of India 1,028,610,328. The states or regions with largest populations are:
- Maharashtra –NA
- Rajasthan – 650,493
- Madhya Pradesh – 545,446
- Gujarat – 525,305
- Karnataka – 412,659
- Uttar Pradesh – 207,111
- Delhi – 155,122
- Tamil Nadu – 83,359
It is likely that the actual population of Jains may be significantly higher than the census numbers.
The Jain population in USA is estimated to be about 10,000 to 200,000.
See also
References
- Shah, Natubhai (2004), Jainism, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1938-2
- hukonchu.com One of the best resource for Jain literature and religious information with the use of latest technologies.
- JainConnect.org Newly evolving Online Portal/Directory for Jain Community.
- Exclusive Matrimonial service for Jain Samaj
- Jain Professional Network 1st professional networking group for Jains all over world
- A portal to connect jains and discuss about Jainism and other things
- Facets of Jainology : Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion and Culture/Vilas Adinath Sangave. Mumbai, Popular Prakashan, 2001
- JAINISM IN AMERICA By Mr. Yashwant K. Malaiya
- Jain Jagruti Centre, Toronto Jain Jagruti Centre Toronto
- Jain Community, Jain Businessmen Jain Community Website, Jain Information