Jainism in Canada

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Adherents of Jainism first settled in Canada in small numbers in the late 19th century. The number of Jains in Canada later increased, leading to the establishment of Jain temples in Canada. The type of Jainism in Canada later exhibited several differences from Jainism in India.

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History[edit]

The amount of Jains in Canada greatly increased in the 1970s due to the liberalization of Canada's immigration laws. This has allowed for a community of Jain immigrants to become established in Canada, where they have formed a unique spiritual and cultural identity.^[1] Most Canadian Jains now live in Ontario.^[1]

First temple[edit]

The first Jain society in the Toronto area was formed in 1974. At that time there were approximately 150 Jain families in the region. A Jain religious center was first officially established in Toronto in 1988 when the Jain society purchased a Church building and converted it into a temple.^[2] The temple served both the Svetambara and Digambar communities, whose theology and religious practice differs in some aspects.^[1]

A new temple is in construction in Scarborough, which, once completed in 2016, it will be the largest Jain temple in North America.^[3]

Themes in Canadian Jainism[edit]

Canadian Jainism differs from Jainism in India in part due to the lack of Jain ascetics. In India, ascetics often promote sect loyalty and religious orthodoxy. This difference has promoted a more non-sectarian Jain identity which allows for diversity of beliefs. Some Jains have argued that this leads to a less authentic version of Jainism. Others have applauded the way that Canadian Jainism promotes a more casteless modern interpretation of the religion.^[1] In theGujarati community Jains have become integrated with Hindus, and have often served together on community projects.^[4]

Many Canadian Jains actively promote vegetarianism, meditation, and interfaith dialog.^[1]

Notes[edit]

^ Jump up to:^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Lambek 2002, p. 557
Jump up^ McAteer, Michael (April 22, 1989). "Non-violence to any living thing". Toronto Star. p. M.23. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
Jump up^ Ajit Jain (February 1, 2013). "Toronto’s Jains build a ‘landmark’ temple". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
Jump up^ Magocsi 1999, p. 636

References[edit]

Lambek, Michael (2002), A reader in the anthropology of religion, Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 978-0-631-22113-5
Magocsi, Paul R. (1999), Encyclopedia of Canada's peoples, University of Toronto Press, ISBN 978-0-8020-2938-6

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Jainism topics

Tirthankara

Philosophy

Branches

Śvētāmbara	Murtipujaka Kharatara Gaccha Tapa Gaccha Tristutik Gaccha Sthānakavāsī Svetambar Terapanth Shrimad Rajchandra

Digambara	Mula Sangh Balatkara Gana Kashtha Sangh Taran Panth Bispanthi Digambar Terapanth Kanji Swami Yapaniya

Practices

Major figures

Ancient	Ganadhara Indrabhuti Gautama Sudharmaswami Bhadrabahu Sthulabhadra Umaswati Kundakunda Siddhasena Divakara

Medieval	Haribhadra Hemachandra Yasovijaya Pandit Todarmal

Modern	Kanji Swami Shrimad Rajchandra Vijayanandsuri Vallabhsuri Jambuvijaya Vidyasagar Tulsi Mahāprajña Rajendrasuri