Jainism presentation

JAINISM
A Way of Life & A Religion

Jain Society Of Metropolitan Chicago
435 N. Route 59, Bartlett, IL 60103
Phone: (630) 837-1077 Website: www.jsmconline.org
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Agenda
 Jainism
 Jainism – A Religion
 Jainism and World Religions
 Jainism – A Way of Life
 Jainism in USA
 JSMC Chicago
 JSMC Expansion Project
 Q&A
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Jainism
A Religion


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What is Jainism?
 Jainism is a way of life and one of the oldest religions of the world.
 It believes in a cyclical nature of universe. It discourages superstition
and blind faith and encourages free and rational thinking.
 Jainism lays heavy emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and
discipline.
 According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human
beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment
through meditation and self realization. They are the “Gods” of
Jains.
 Jains have always practiced non-violence, vegetarianism, meditation,
yoga, and environmentalism.
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What are the Principles of Jainism?

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What are Basic Philosophies of Jainism?
 Jainism believes in Godhood but does not believe God to be the First
Cause. God is not a Creator, Preserver or Destroyer of the universe.
 “God” does not Punish or Reward
 Each person is responsible for improving life by one’s self-endeavor
 Each person is capable of achieving Godhood
 All Living Beings have Souls & are Equal
 All life is sacred
 Therefore, living in peace & harmony is essential
Equality
 Elimination of our Karmas is the Path to Liberation
& Achievement of Godhood
 It requires multiple re-births
 Ultimate Goal of Life
 To be free from all karma
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What is the Karma Theory?
 The principles governing the successions of life cycles
(birth, life, and death) is Karma.
 The Theory of Karma is founded on the simple law of cause
and effect. What we experience now is the result of our own
past action and our future is a function of our own choice
and making.
 Explains the role that karmas play in our lives, how we
accumulate karmas, and how we get rid of them.
 Actions of mind, speech, and body bind us with karma and
our intentions and the passions determine the duration,
strength and the results of the bondage. 7

Who Is Lord Mahavir?
 Lord Mahavir - 24th (and final) Tirthankara
 Born on March 30, 599 B.C. (about 2600 years ago) as a prince
in Bihar, India. He attained nirvana in the year 527 B.C. at the
age of 72.
 The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain the
total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, and death, and
achieve the permanent blissful state (known as liberation,
nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.)
 He shaped the present form of Jainism. Lord Mahavir
envisioned men and women to be on equal footing in the
matters of spiritual advancement.
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Jain Symbols

Palm – signifies assurance; to Digit of moon – (region of liberated
have faith and change the path of souls)
righteousness. Three dots – (Right Perception/Faith,
Wheel of Dharma – 24 spokes Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct)
represent the 24 Tirthankaras. Overall meaning – After removing all
The word inside the wheel is of their karmas, living beings will reside
ahimsa. in the world of liberated souls.
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Major Jain Religious Events
 Mahavir Jayanti – celebration of the birth of
Lord Mahavir
 Paryushan Parva – festival of forgiveness

 Samvatsari Pratikraman – 3 hour prayer to ask
for forgiveness
 Mahavir Nirvan – celebration at Diwali/New
Year’s per the lunar calendar
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Jain Temples

The idols of the 24 Tirthankaras are the same because they represent the quality and virtues of the
Tirthankaras, not the physical body. A unique symbol at the bottom of each idol differentiates
them.
For example, Lord Mahavir's idol is recognized by the symbol of a lion. 11

What does Jainism Teach about Ecology?
 Non-Possessiveness / Aparigraha
Environmentalism  Self-restraint is the second most
important Jain principle.
 Minimizing consumption provides
respect for others’ life and environment.
 Reuse / Recycle Products – Do not
waste the gifts of nature.
 Share resources.
 Nature provides enough for our
NEED, but not enough for our
GREED. 12

Jainism
and World Religions


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World Religion

“What holds one from falling from
spiritual degeneration is religion.”

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Timeline
Judaism
2600BC 2200BC 1940sAD Israel
Abraham Exodus from Egypt
Christianity
30BC
Christ
Islam
571AD
Mohammed

Beginning-less / Endless Jainism
557BC, Mahavir
Buddhism
483BC
Gautam Buddha
Beginning-less / Endless Hinduism
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External God & Internal Soul

Western: Jainism:
God Soul

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Life Cycles

Western: Jainism:
Linearity of Life Cycle of Life

heaven nirvana

cycle of
life/death
birth: death enlightenment
pure state hell
elimination of
karmic bondage

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Different Core – Similar Outcome
Western Religions Eastern Religions

External god controls you God is the soul within you

Religion/philosophy/science separate Religion and philosophy are intertwined

Linear nature of life/death Cyclic nature of life/death - nirvana

As you sow so you reap on Karma determines your next life
judgment day

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Jainism
A Way of Life


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What is Daily Life of a Jain?
 Code of Conduct for Monks & Nuns (stricter)
 Code for Laymen and Laywomen
 Vegetarianism & Non-Violent Practices
 No Silk, Leather, Animal Products
 Simplicity of Lifestyle, Non-Materialism
 Meditation and Introspection
 Forgiveness is a Moral Doctrine
 Compassion, Charity & Community Service
 Preservation of the Environment
 Jainism is the World’s Only Religion Emphasizing the Environment
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How Does Jainism Bring Change?

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Multi Step Approach

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Jainism
In USA


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Jainism in USA – History
 Two events anticipated the future arrival of Jainism in the
United States
1. The arrival of Virachand Gandhi in 1893 at Chicago's
World Parliament of Religions. He is therefore, considered the
father of American Jainism.
2. The construction of a "Jain temple" at the St. Louis World's Fair
in 1904-1905.
 Jainism inspired Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent struggle
for India’s independence from Britain.
 Dr. M. L. King (USA) and Nelson Mandela (S. Africa)
applied the first principle of Jainism (ahimsa/non-
violence) in Civil Rights struggles
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Jainism in USA – Timeline
 1850 - American Vegetarian Society established
 1893 - Arrival of Virachand Gandhi to participate in
Chicago's World Parliament of Religions
 1904 - Jain Temple at St. Louis World's Fair
 1944 - First Jain settlers in USA
 1966 - Jain Center of America in New York established
 1973 - Jain Center of Greater Boston established
 1981 - First Jain convention in Los Angeles
 1983 - Formal organization of JAINA (Jain Associations in North America)
 1991 - Founding of Siddhachalam, the Jain Tirtha
 1993 - Temple Pratishtha, Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago
 2000 - Jain Vishwa Bharati Orlando
 2002 - Jain population estimated to be about 100,000 27

Jains in USA - Today
 66 Jain Centers in USA
 113,000 Approximate Jains in USA
(vs. 6 Million out of 1.1 Billion people in India)
 $26 Billions Assets
 $4.2 Billions Estimated Collective Total Income of NA Jains
 Today there are Jain centers in 25 of the 50 U.S. states
 Refer to Harvard Pluralism Project's Directory of Religious Centers

Why is “Jain” sometimes spelled “Jaina”?

Words often have an inherent “a” (pronounced ‘uh’ as in ‘under’) sound at the end of them. Though English is not
very particular about this sound (many English words are not pronounced phonetically), Indian languages are very
particular about sound. Thus, the word “Jain”, spelled in Hindi or Gujarati, does contain the inherent “a” sound at
the end. In order to negate this sound, a special marker is placed under the particular letter. Therefore, to translate
the word “Jain” from Prakrit or Sanskrit, it may be spelled with our without the “a”, simply because when spoken, it
does contain an “a” sound at the end. 28

Jainism in USA - In 2020

EVOLVE EXPAND
(Our Practices) (Community Awareness)

EDUCATE ENERGIZE
(Impact trends) (Our organization)

in
Ja ers
t
C en Jain
JAINA
JA I N

Centers
NA s

NA
Jai

A

Jains
n

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JSMC
Chicago


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JSMC - History
 1969 Inception of the idea of organizing a Jain Society in Chicago
(Mr. & Mrs. Solanki)
 1970 Adopted the Constitution for the purpose of JSMC on Jan 11, 1970
 1983 Organization of the Federation of Jain Associations In North America
(JAINA)
 1988 Purchased 15.4 acres of land for the Jain Center
 1992/1993 Opening Ceremonies of the Jain Temple / Jain Community Center
 1995/2001 JAINA Conventions hosted by JSMC in Chicago
 2008 Approximately 1,500 member families
 2008 YJA Convention will be held in Lincolnshire, IL

Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago
(630) 837-1077 / 1088
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“JSMC”
 A non-profit tax exempt organization registered in State of Illinois and
operating under IRC Title 26 U.S.C. § 501(c), Section 501(c)(3) status
 Largest membership representation of the Jain Centers in North America
 Member of the Federation of Jain Associations In North America (JAINA)
 Built the 1st significant Jain Temple of North America on 15.4 acre
property
 For further information, visit www.jsmconline.org.

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The Purpose of JSMC
 Increase the awareness of the principles of Jainism.
 Achieve the unity of all Jains.
 Provide a platform wherefrom to project the voice of Jain
religion.
 Promote the feeling of amity and brotherhood among Jains
and to promote inter-faith understanding.
 Fulfill social, cultural, educational and economic needs of the
Jain community.
 Establish communications between scholars of Jain philosophy
and members of the Society.
 Celebrate Jain festivals and holidays. 33

The Mission of JSMC
 To offer a trustworthy and structured ground for
projecting a common voice of all Jains for
 Promoting principles of Jain religion
 Providing Jain education to the community

 Celebrating Jain social and cultural events in a manner that
is compassionate, vibrant, & dynamic.
 In doing so, the organization shall execute its affairs
ethically based on a sound infrastructure and
responsible conduct, while creating a sustainable
financial position.
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JSMC’s Vision for the Future
 Establish an inspiring Jain lifestyle that
 Focuses on youth involvement

 Boasts the highest membership among Jain centers outside
of India
 Demonstrates having a positive impact on every stakeholder

 Grows financially to a stable and sustainable debt-free
position
 Becomes a “can’t live without” for the community

 Attracts visitors as a “must visit” place on Chicago’s list

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JSMC – In 2020

Digambar

JSMC JAINS

Stanakvasi Terapanthi
Svetambar

Deravasi

JAINA

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JSMC
Expansion Project


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JSMC Expansion Project - Scope
 Upper Level
 78,000 Sq Ft of State of the Art Facility

 Expanded Temple with Additional 1,100 Sq Ft

 Larger Rang Mandap, Larger Pooja Room, New Storage Room

 New Prayer Hall and Stage

 Double the Previous Capacity to 1,500 People

 Nursery Room

 Conference Rooms

 Expanded Coat and Shoe Areas

 Expanded Restrooms / Showers

 Larger Reception and Offices

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JSMC Expansion Project - Scope
 Lower Level
 8 New Pathshala Class Rooms
 Teachers Lounge

 Expanded Library Facility

 Larger Modern Kitchen

 Expanded Dining Hall

 Medical / First Aid Room

 Youth Room

 Fitness Center

 2 Elevators and Stairways
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JSMC Expansion Project - Status
 $9.5 Million Expansion Project Launched – 2005
 Jain Center Construction Expansion – 2005 / 2007
 The Community Center expansion substantially complete ($6.5 million)

 Will require expanded audio/video system, stage curtains, stage lighting, and
other furnishings ($1.5 million)
 Jain Temple Construction Expansion – 2008 / 2009
 Temple reconstruction remains unfinished pending marble work requiring
availability of skilled marble craftsmen (artisans) that are expert in temple-
related marble work ($1.5 million)
 Targeted completion 2009

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For More Information
 Jain Center of Chicago www.jsmconline.org
 BBC Website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/jainism/index.shtml
 http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/jainhlinks.html
 www.jainworld.com
 www.jainstudy.org
 www.jaina.org
 Over 1.5 Million Google References
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Thank You


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About JSMC
 Founded in 1970, the Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) is a non-profit tax exempt organization
registered in State of Illinois and operating under IRC Title 26 U.S.C. § 501(c), Section 501(c)(3) status. JSMC has
a membership of about 1,500 families, the largest membership representation of the Jain Centers in North
America. JSMC is a proud member of the Federation of Jain Associations In North America (JAINA) and has a
distinctive honor of having built in 1992 the 1st significant Jain Temple of North America on 15.4 acre property it
owns in Bartlett, Illinois.
 The primary purpose of JSMC is to provide a temple for religious services and a community center for social,
cultural, educational and economic needs of the Jain community. Other objectives of JSMC are to increase the
awareness of the principles of Jainism, achieve the unity of all Jains, provide a platform wherefrom to project the
voice of Jain religion, promote the feeling of amity and brotherhood among Jains and to promote inter-faith
understanding, establish communications between scholars of Jain philosophy and members of the Society, and
celebrate Jain festivals and holidays.
 For Further Information please visit www.jsmconline.org or contact:

(630) 837-1077 / 1088

Mr. Dipak Doshi Mr. Hemant Shah
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Membership Secretary
(847) 420-9025 (847) 977-5462

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